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.
The bringer of the future casts a shadow, watch it grow
He extends a single finger 'cause there's only one way to go
And the watchers on the sidelines, polite to a tee
Like contestants on TV, they are you - they are me
So come round all you faithful, watch him gather up the gold
When he's got the lot he lingers, just to savour what he has sold
And the mesmerized are silent, too stunned to believe
What their eyes have finally recieved
This is not a bad dream
Come now and witness, time to behold
All we have planted has sprouted and grown
Was it enough for you? Did it please you?
Let the poison through
Was it enough for you? No perfume
Let the stench come through
If you catch them at the station, ask them how they feel
When the cradle of creation is crushed under the wheels
Do not speak, oh do not speak, 'cause nothing's left but words to reap
And what we sowed is ours to keep - good day to everyone
Do not speak, oh do not speak, the words were lies, our will was weak
Lemmings poised to take the leap - good day to everyone
I'd like to say it's over and we will be okay
I'd like to say it's over and that you feel the same
Once upon a time there was some writing on the wall we all ignored
Until the time when there was war and feasts of famine at our door
Once upon a time there was a line that we had drawn we wouldn't cross
'Cause it was wrong, but lines are bendable and seldom very long
Fear leaves a trace of something stale
A wasteland of memory of how we failed
All we need is time, all we need is time
But time's too damn unkind
He extends a single finger 'cause there's only one way to go
And the watchers on the sidelines, polite to a tee
Like contestants on TV, they are you - they are me
So come round all you faithful, watch him gather up the gold
When he's got the lot he lingers, just to savour what he has sold
And the mesmerized are silent, too stunned to believe
What their eyes have finally recieved
This is not a bad dream
Come now and witness, time to behold
All we have planted has sprouted and grown
Was it enough for you? Did it please you?
Let the poison through
Was it enough for you? No perfume
Let the stench come through
If you catch them at the station, ask them how they feel
When the cradle of creation is crushed under the wheels
Do not speak, oh do not speak, 'cause nothing's left but words to reap
And what we sowed is ours to keep - good day to everyone
Do not speak, oh do not speak, the words were lies, our will was weak
Lemmings poised to take the leap - good day to everyone
I'd like to say it's over and we will be okay
I'd like to say it's over and that you feel the same
Once upon a time there was some writing on the wall we all ignored
Until the time when there was war and feasts of famine at our door
Once upon a time there was a line that we had drawn we wouldn't cross
'Cause it was wrong, but lines are bendable and seldom very long
Fear leaves a trace of something stale
A wasteland of memory of how we failed
All we need is time, all we need is time
But time's too damn unkind
Lyrics submitted by awberg
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