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 my body to seven mile Island
Lay my head down where Indians sleep
Take your shoes off and walk across the water
It's been so long so I heard a man speak
Watch the spillways when the water starts rising
Take your hat off when the sun goes down
Keep your eyes on that concrete tower
Maybe one day it will crumble to the ground
Mary's crying 'cause she can't hold water
And her clothes don't fit her right
She used to say that she wanted a daughter
Now she only wants a Saturday night
There were days when that dusty cave was empty
Back before this city made a claim
On that hotel for wanderers and strangers
Back before you could live off of your name
We all live in an Airstream trailer
About three-hundred yards up the lake
Call the doctor, Mary's going into labor
And you can't raise a baby on shake
So take my body to seven mile Island
Lay some stones down on top of my grave
Tell my lady I just couldn't bear to see her
Tell my daughter I just couldn't be saved
Lay my head down where Indians sleep
Take your shoes off and walk across the water
It's been so long so I heard a man speak
Watch the spillways when the water starts rising
Take your hat off when the sun goes down
Keep your eyes on that concrete tower
Maybe one day it will crumble to the ground
Mary's crying 'cause she can't hold water
And her clothes don't fit her right
She used to say that she wanted a daughter
Now she only wants a Saturday night
There were days when that dusty cave was empty
Back before this city made a claim
On that hotel for wanderers and strangers
Back before you could live off of your name
We all live in an Airstream trailer
About three-hundred yards up the lake
Call the doctor, Mary's going into labor
And you can't raise a baby on shake
So take my body to seven mile Island
Lay some stones down on top of my grave
Tell my lady I just couldn't bear to see her
Tell my daughter I just couldn't be saved
Lyrics submitted by UnpopularPoet
Seven-Mile Island Lyrics as written by Michael Jason Isbell
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I'm from the Muscle Shoals area where Jason grew up. I'm not exactly sure what this song means, but I have pretty good theory. Seven Mile Island is basically a seven mile island right below wilson dam on the tennessee river in muscle shoals. You can find many indian artifacts there and it's pretty much deserted. I believe this song is about a guy who got a girl pregnant, but didn't think he could afford to help raise the child and thought killing himself to try and collect the insurance money for the wife and child seemed like the best option.
Here's some insight as to what some words mean.
The spillways refer to the wilson dam spillways right above seven mile island. The concrete tower probably refers to either the dam or the tower restaurant on the north side of the river (big tower with a restaurant on top, next to the dam).
It's obvious he's the father and the girl is pregnant and then is eventually having the child. The parts about "before you could live off of your name" not being able to "raise a baby on shake" and "living in a airstream trailer" all point to the fact that they don't have much money. Along with him wanting to be buried cheaply on a deserted island where no one would find him, I deduced that it was probably a suicide for insurance money attempt.