In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Minnenes ekko stiller timen
Kneblet I tungsinnets lenker faller jeg ifra
Ikke lenger vil jeg være boltet fast I vemodighetens anker
Men endelig få lengselen slukket - Etter å dra
Drakk jeg for meget av livhåpets krus
Tok jeg gledens forfengelighet for gitt
For min strid mot tomhetens smerte - Denne dødsangstens rus
Er det eneste ene igjen - Som er mitt
I min ensomhet vet jeg likevel
At jeg ikke har noen andre å takke enn meg selv
Derfor er jeg rolig når
Repet strammes rundt min nakke
Stumme vitner kan ei gi trøst
Menigmann I gravkorets forsamling vil aldri fatte
Det landet av fortapelse
Jeg egenhendig skapte
Denne intense dragning mot dødens portaler
En vandrende studie I gråtkvalt messe-noir
Behersket siden tidenes morgen
Men noe jeg aldri lot slippe taket - Var sorgen
I min ensomhet vet jeg likevel
At jeg ikke har noen andre å takke enn meg selv
Derfor er jeg rolig når
Repet strammes rundt min nakke
English translation (Excuse me if any writing errors. The text is quite difficult)
The echoes of the memories silences the hour
Gagged in the heavy mind's chains I fall away
No longer I wan't to be bolted stuck to the anchor of sadness
But finally get the longing 'put out' - After leaving
Drank I too much of the cup of (life)hope
Took I the joy of vanity for granted
Beacause my battle against the emptyness' pain - This death anxietys intoxication
Is the only thing left - That is mine
In my solitude I know anyway
That I have no other to thank but myself
That's why I'm calm when
The rope is tightened around my neck
Mute witnesses can not give comfort
The common man in the funerals choir gathering will never see
The land of the lost
I with my own hands created
This intense drag towards death's portals
A walking studie in choked weeped service (as in church)
Ruled since the dawn of time
But something I never let go of - Was the sorrow
In my solitude I know anyway
That I have no other to thank but myself
That's why I'm calm when
The rope is tightened around my neck
Kneblet I tungsinnets lenker faller jeg ifra
Ikke lenger vil jeg være boltet fast I vemodighetens anker
Men endelig få lengselen slukket - Etter å dra
Drakk jeg for meget av livhåpets krus
Tok jeg gledens forfengelighet for gitt
For min strid mot tomhetens smerte - Denne dødsangstens rus
Er det eneste ene igjen - Som er mitt
I min ensomhet vet jeg likevel
At jeg ikke har noen andre å takke enn meg selv
Derfor er jeg rolig når
Repet strammes rundt min nakke
Stumme vitner kan ei gi trøst
Menigmann I gravkorets forsamling vil aldri fatte
Det landet av fortapelse
Jeg egenhendig skapte
Denne intense dragning mot dødens portaler
En vandrende studie I gråtkvalt messe-noir
Behersket siden tidenes morgen
Men noe jeg aldri lot slippe taket - Var sorgen
I min ensomhet vet jeg likevel
At jeg ikke har noen andre å takke enn meg selv
Derfor er jeg rolig når
Repet strammes rundt min nakke
English translation (Excuse me if any writing errors. The text is quite difficult)
The echoes of the memories silences the hour
Gagged in the heavy mind's chains I fall away
No longer I wan't to be bolted stuck to the anchor of sadness
But finally get the longing 'put out' - After leaving
Drank I too much of the cup of (life)hope
Took I the joy of vanity for granted
Beacause my battle against the emptyness' pain - This death anxietys intoxication
Is the only thing left - That is mine
In my solitude I know anyway
That I have no other to thank but myself
That's why I'm calm when
The rope is tightened around my neck
Mute witnesses can not give comfort
The common man in the funerals choir gathering will never see
The land of the lost
I with my own hands created
This intense drag towards death's portals
A walking studie in choked weeped service (as in church)
Ruled since the dawn of time
But something I never let go of - Was the sorrow
In my solitude I know anyway
That I have no other to thank but myself
That's why I'm calm when
The rope is tightened around my neck
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Even songs about depression sound badass when growled in Norwegian. lol. Hail Dimmu