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.
A week from one we recognize your distance
As measured by the candles on your cake
These nineteen little fires they tell a story
Of the life for which today we celebrate
A week from one you entered to a hurricane
For eighteen years it stayed to watch you grow
It shrouded all December's sunken treasures
A fortune only birthday wishes show
You wished upon a star to be a mermaid
And for he to top the tallest mountain peak
Two distant souls with no apparent yearning
A miracle could only have them meet
But in this wish the mermaid grew her wings
And flew beyond the sea that was her world
And on the way she rescued our fair mountaineer
And up into the heavens they unfurled
Now free they are to soar amongst the clouds
A wish upon a star for ever more
Together they remembered how to fly again
And understood that it's worth falling for
And even as the wish concludes unnoticed
With rising smoke an image of it's ghost
It has lingered with us
Through everything we've shared
Awaiting it's replacement at your birthday toast
And we'll sing
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
A week from one we recognize your distance
As measured by the candles on your cake
Those many little fires they tell a story
Of a life for which that day we'll celebrate
And should someday the party start without me
For better or for worse the reasons why
A week from one I know where all my thoughts will be
On my December sunken treasure always in my mind
And we'll dream
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday (dear Sam) to you (x6)
Happy Birthday to you (x3)
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
As measured by the candles on your cake
These nineteen little fires they tell a story
Of the life for which today we celebrate
A week from one you entered to a hurricane
For eighteen years it stayed to watch you grow
It shrouded all December's sunken treasures
A fortune only birthday wishes show
You wished upon a star to be a mermaid
And for he to top the tallest mountain peak
Two distant souls with no apparent yearning
A miracle could only have them meet
But in this wish the mermaid grew her wings
And flew beyond the sea that was her world
And on the way she rescued our fair mountaineer
And up into the heavens they unfurled
Now free they are to soar amongst the clouds
A wish upon a star for ever more
Together they remembered how to fly again
And understood that it's worth falling for
And even as the wish concludes unnoticed
With rising smoke an image of it's ghost
It has lingered with us
Through everything we've shared
Awaiting it's replacement at your birthday toast
And we'll sing
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
A week from one we recognize your distance
As measured by the candles on your cake
Those many little fires they tell a story
Of a life for which that day we'll celebrate
And should someday the party start without me
For better or for worse the reasons why
A week from one I know where all my thoughts will be
On my December sunken treasure always in my mind
And we'll dream
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday (dear Sam) to you (x6)
Happy Birthday to you (x3)
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Lyrics submitted by Kipa
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