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.
You don't strike me as a betting type
And yet i feel like a dog in a poke
I ain't no barking until we work out
Who's the real butt of this joke
I'll teach you to dance to the flickering hope
So until everything comes to grief
Will you be my starry-eyed liar
And I'll be your clumsy thief
Please, be my starry-eyed liar
And I'll be your clumsy thief
I gather your folks were pirates at sea
And my old man once robbed a grocery store
He gave good half to them beggarly folks
Stashed other half under the kitchen floor
Twelve years later sin bin had enough of him
Twelve years later sin bin spat what's left of him
Inflation ate what rats didn't sniff
God bless the starry-eyed liar
And his sidekick, that clumsy thief
Oh, Peggy sue
Oh, Peggy sue
Lets paint this town red tonight
And do what lovers do
Oh, Peggy sue
Oh, Peggy sue
I'm gonna tell you thousand lies
And each of them will come true
I came to fade in this church yard
Without prayer, hope or clue
A bounty hunter on my tail
Or any other bugaboo
So once you don't find on me neither silver nor gold
What will you report to your vicious chief
God bless the starry-eyed liar
And his sidekick, clumsy thief
God bless the starry-eyed liar
And his sidekick, that clumsy thief
Oh, Peggy sue
Oh, Peggy sue
Lets paint this town red tonight
And do what lovers do
Oh, Peggy sue
Oh, Peggy sue
I'm gonna tell you thousand lies
And each of them will come true
And yet i feel like a dog in a poke
I ain't no barking until we work out
Who's the real butt of this joke
I'll teach you to dance to the flickering hope
So until everything comes to grief
Will you be my starry-eyed liar
And I'll be your clumsy thief
Please, be my starry-eyed liar
And I'll be your clumsy thief
I gather your folks were pirates at sea
And my old man once robbed a grocery store
He gave good half to them beggarly folks
Stashed other half under the kitchen floor
Twelve years later sin bin had enough of him
Twelve years later sin bin spat what's left of him
Inflation ate what rats didn't sniff
God bless the starry-eyed liar
And his sidekick, that clumsy thief
Oh, Peggy sue
Oh, Peggy sue
Lets paint this town red tonight
And do what lovers do
Oh, Peggy sue
Oh, Peggy sue
I'm gonna tell you thousand lies
And each of them will come true
I came to fade in this church yard
Without prayer, hope or clue
A bounty hunter on my tail
Or any other bugaboo
So once you don't find on me neither silver nor gold
What will you report to your vicious chief
God bless the starry-eyed liar
And his sidekick, clumsy thief
God bless the starry-eyed liar
And his sidekick, that clumsy thief
Oh, Peggy sue
Oh, Peggy sue
Lets paint this town red tonight
And do what lovers do
Oh, Peggy sue
Oh, Peggy sue
I'm gonna tell you thousand lies
And each of them will come true
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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Great version of a great song,
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Ohh, this is a great closer. Meaning is pretty obvious