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.
At school the choices I made were rock and roll bands and getting good grades.
But brains and wearing all black, to some of these guys, it's like a red flag.
The taste of anyone's fist is not a good vibe, or something I've missed.
I was intimidated, assaulted, and for what? I hope they choke, choke, choke, choke.
Shrugged off the shit in my youth like growing up pains or loosing a tooth, but it's not a matter of age.
They're everywhere. These people don't change.
When I was in New York a woman tried to start a fight with me because she thought I was Jewish,
and somehow it felt wrong to tell her the truth that I wasn't.
I pray to god she chokes, choke, choke, choke, choke, choke, choke, choke.
You're going home in a fucking ambulance, you're going home in a fucking ambulance,
you're going home in a fucking ambulance, WE'RE ALL GOING HOME IN A FUCKING AM-BUL-ANCE".
I once saw a man
With blood on his face
From beating up black kids
I could hardly breathe
Your race, your faith, just your clothes incite. They drink, they fight, it's not safe out tonight.
Your race, your faith, just your clothes incite. They drink, they fight. So don't go out tonight.
Don't run!
If your Mum and Dad hit you as a child
I feel sad for you, but that's no excuse for it
Who says it's ok to behave in this way? I can't help but feel it's us
For the sake of our own skin we walk away,
And it's like we all say 'that's alright, that's alright, that's alright'.
That's alright, that's alright, that's alright,
That's alright, that's alright.
I wish I had the guts to stand up for myself,
and for others as well, against these fuckers.
SHIT!
But brains and wearing all black, to some of these guys, it's like a red flag.
The taste of anyone's fist is not a good vibe, or something I've missed.
I was intimidated, assaulted, and for what? I hope they choke, choke, choke, choke.
Shrugged off the shit in my youth like growing up pains or loosing a tooth, but it's not a matter of age.
They're everywhere. These people don't change.
When I was in New York a woman tried to start a fight with me because she thought I was Jewish,
and somehow it felt wrong to tell her the truth that I wasn't.
I pray to god she chokes, choke, choke, choke, choke, choke, choke, choke.
You're going home in a fucking ambulance, you're going home in a fucking ambulance,
you're going home in a fucking ambulance, WE'RE ALL GOING HOME IN A FUCKING AM-BUL-ANCE".
I once saw a man
With blood on his face
From beating up black kids
I could hardly breathe
Your race, your faith, just your clothes incite. They drink, they fight, it's not safe out tonight.
Your race, your faith, just your clothes incite. They drink, they fight. So don't go out tonight.
Don't run!
If your Mum and Dad hit you as a child
I feel sad for you, but that's no excuse for it
Who says it's ok to behave in this way? I can't help but feel it's us
For the sake of our own skin we walk away,
And it's like we all say 'that's alright, that's alright, that's alright'.
That's alright, that's alright, that's alright,
That's alright, that's alright.
I wish I had the guts to stand up for myself,
and for others as well, against these fuckers.
SHIT!
Lyrics submitted by homiesessual
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I'm pretty sure it is 'incite'. As in your race, faith,clothes incite their violence.