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.
Take him down, take him down, take him down, take him down
Fight for your life, hear the call
No shadows there to be seen
Visions fade and your heart is released from pain
Time to be freed of your chains
The shine will never be killed
Then from heaven's gate the nightmare ends at last
The shadows are gone
Misted in darkness and lies
Under the sign of the dark
Darkness and lonely fall when your children rise
Rise from the ashes and stand
forever free, forever proud
The time has come and our victory is at hand
The visions of their fall
It's gone forever now...
[chorus:]
No more betray, the end of war comes at last
We will brighten your souls
Through shades of gray
the light's age will come at last
We will never get lost in the dark
To our freedom we joyfully ride
Hold my hand, don't wander in the dark
just keep the fear inside
the light fantastic guiding your way
Now the time to rise has come
a reason to go home
and give an end to darkest of days
no more betray, tonight
Never had a chance to turn away
The sea is calling now, over the bay
where all brothers lie
[chorus x2]
No more betray, the end of war comes at last
we will never be alone
through shades of gray, the light's age will come at last
Fight for your life, hear the call
No shadows there to be seen
Visions fade and your heart is released from pain
Time to be freed of your chains
The shine will never be killed
Then from heaven's gate the nightmare ends at last
The shadows are gone
Misted in darkness and lies
Under the sign of the dark
Darkness and lonely fall when your children rise
Rise from the ashes and stand
forever free, forever proud
The time has come and our victory is at hand
The visions of their fall
It's gone forever now...
[chorus:]
No more betray, the end of war comes at last
We will brighten your souls
Through shades of gray
the light's age will come at last
We will never get lost in the dark
To our freedom we joyfully ride
Hold my hand, don't wander in the dark
just keep the fear inside
the light fantastic guiding your way
Now the time to rise has come
a reason to go home
and give an end to darkest of days
no more betray, tonight
Never had a chance to turn away
The sea is calling now, over the bay
where all brothers lie
[chorus x2]
No more betray, the end of war comes at last
we will never be alone
through shades of gray, the light's age will come at last
Lyrics submitted by catsquared
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
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.