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.
When my baby came around
She was just like gold and silver set on broken ground.
And I was frozen in a stare.
She said "Boy, life ain't living
if you don't breathe the air."
So I said "Well, don't don't don't
Don't don't go anywhere,
when you're down and broke
Well, I'll love you there.
Now all your life there's going to be
love in all your pain.
And when that broken ground gets in your way
there's going to be love to help you stand.
And when the world lets you down,
to just more broken ground there's going to be love"
When I was just 18
My baby took her love and pointed it straight at me.
And we found our way right here,
"And baby I'll bury my plans,
and you bury your fear.
And don't don't don't don't don't you go anywhere,
when you're down and broke, well, I'll love you there.
Now all your life there's going to be
love in all your pain.
And when that broken ground gets in your way
there's going to be love to help you stand.
And when the world lets you down,
to just more broken ground, there's going to be love.
Well, don't don't don't don't don't leave your things.
Well, don't don't don't don't don't leave your things.
Believe there's going to be
love in all your pain.
And when that broken ground gets in your way
there's going to be love to help you stand.
And when the world lets you down,
to just more broken ground, there's going to be love.
She was just like gold and silver set on broken ground.
And I was frozen in a stare.
She said "Boy, life ain't living
if you don't breathe the air."
So I said "Well, don't don't don't
Don't don't go anywhere,
when you're down and broke
Well, I'll love you there.
Now all your life there's going to be
love in all your pain.
And when that broken ground gets in your way
there's going to be love to help you stand.
And when the world lets you down,
to just more broken ground there's going to be love"
When I was just 18
My baby took her love and pointed it straight at me.
And we found our way right here,
"And baby I'll bury my plans,
and you bury your fear.
And don't don't don't don't don't you go anywhere,
when you're down and broke, well, I'll love you there.
Now all your life there's going to be
love in all your pain.
And when that broken ground gets in your way
there's going to be love to help you stand.
And when the world lets you down,
to just more broken ground, there's going to be love.
Well, don't don't don't don't don't leave your things.
Well, don't don't don't don't don't leave your things.
Believe there's going to be
love in all your pain.
And when that broken ground gets in your way
there's going to be love to help you stand.
And when the world lets you down,
to just more broken ground, there's going to be love.
Lyrics submitted by ourpalaceofsnow
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What an incredible song!
I see these lyrics as a conversation between two relatively young lovers. Perhaps a young couple thinking about marriage and speculating about their future together.
Although there will always be disappointment and pain in life, he promises her that she will have "Love in all [her] pain". Sure, there will be broken ground (which I take to mean trails and tribulations), but love will help you stand. How beautifully written.
My favorite line:
Life ain't living if you don't breathe the air.
I'm confused by the title of this song.
Is an Indian Lover like an 'Indian giver' (ie:Someone who takes back what they've already given)? If that is the implication of the title, it seems very contrary to the message of the lyrics.
Ideas?
this song is amazing. Im so glad I found this band. I was a fan of Watashi Wa, but for some reason I didnt find this band until 2 weeks ago.
pikaboo that's an interesting way to look at the title! never thought of that. true, it doesn't match the song's intentions, so i'm thinking it's possible that this song may just be about a specific person he knew.
i found lakes through a fellow switchfoot fan. i love this band now.
great song.
okay as for the title, i'm thinking it's more like indian summer than indian giver. An indian summer is when during the winter you randomly get a few warm summery days. I think he's saying he'll be her indian lover because even though it will essentially be winter when she's in pain, his love will be a nice breath of fresh air for her to make things easier.
i lovelovelove this song. (: it makes me melt.
and i like serenity's interpretation of the title. that makes a lot more sense.
Indian Lover is refering to the girl the singer married. I may be wrong but I believe his wife is part Native American. Seth has a tattoo of an indian on his arm as well and that's probably symbolizing her as well.
As for the Lyrics...They speak to me like marriage vows. I just got married and it sounds like Seth is making a lifelong commitment to his wife as I did to mine. Marriage is about loving eachother, forever, through all the good and the bad...and the bad won't be so bad because love will be there.
DVD_ nu stole my thunder. I've had a working relationship with Lakes for a couple years now (touring and the like) and this song is about Seth's (now ex) wife) who is indeed native american.
i apologize for the typos