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.
Oh, Lou- I'd like to let you know that I do not feel welcome.
All the birds, the trees, the falling snow
No they were not made for me.
And though this is where her heart resides we met in California
She saw a city's promise reaching through my eyes
And she turned herself away
Well, how I curse that western skyline
And yet I thank it for my start
But oh Lou, though my dreams did not come true; no they only came apart
So I followed her here to Birmingham, where the soil is so much richer
And though my aching pride might guide my hand, she did not ask for me to come
So now I wait for her all through the day, as if I wait for her surrender
And every time I get her to look my way, she says I'm not where I belong
But I watch her father preach on Sundays
I know the hymnals all by heart
But oh, Lou, though my dreams did not come true; no they only came apart
Ohhhh, oh oh oh oh
Ohhhh, oh oh oh oh
Ohhhh, oh oh oh oh
Ohhhh, oh oh oh oh
Oh the snowfall this time of year, it's not what Birmingham is used to
I get the feeling that I brought it here, and now I'm taking it away
So let's share one more drink together, before I go reload my cart
But oh, Lou, no my dreams did not come true — no they only came apart
Ohhhh, oh oh oh oh
Take me ho—
Ohhhh, oh oh oh oh —ome.
Ohhhh, oh oh oh oh
Ohhhh, oh oh oh oh
All the birds, the trees, the falling snow
No they were not made for me.
And though this is where her heart resides we met in California
She saw a city's promise reaching through my eyes
And she turned herself away
Well, how I curse that western skyline
And yet I thank it for my start
But oh Lou, though my dreams did not come true; no they only came apart
So I followed her here to Birmingham, where the soil is so much richer
And though my aching pride might guide my hand, she did not ask for me to come
So now I wait for her all through the day, as if I wait for her surrender
And every time I get her to look my way, she says I'm not where I belong
But I watch her father preach on Sundays
I know the hymnals all by heart
But oh, Lou, though my dreams did not come true; no they only came apart
Ohhhh, oh oh oh oh
Ohhhh, oh oh oh oh
Ohhhh, oh oh oh oh
Ohhhh, oh oh oh oh
Oh the snowfall this time of year, it's not what Birmingham is used to
I get the feeling that I brought it here, and now I'm taking it away
So let's share one more drink together, before I go reload my cart
But oh, Lou, no my dreams did not come true — no they only came apart
Ohhhh, oh oh oh oh
Take me ho—
Ohhhh, oh oh oh oh —ome.
Ohhhh, oh oh oh oh
Ohhhh, oh oh oh oh
Lyrics submitted by blueisthecolor8, edited by MadsCH
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I agree with the two lyric corrections above - "no my dreams" and "I know the hymnals". At least that's how I hear the words.
But also, as a life-long Birmingham resident, there are two things that stick out in this song to me...
First, the idea of snowfall in Birmingham. It's such a weird moment, this city shuts down when that happens. Secondly is the two references to "Lou" as though this is a story being told to someone named Lou. There's a prominent and historic bar in one of the downtown districts called "Lou's Pub and Package" It's one of two bars in town that (through being grand-fathered in) sells bottles of liquor on the premises. though Lou died in 2008, it makes me think that whoever wrote this song spent some time here. These two ideas are so oddly and specifically relevant.
But then again, the contrarian view, the line about "where the soil is so much richer"... Yeah, Birmingham is built upon what's known as Alabama Red Clay. It isn't exactly rich or friendly to growing jack squat. If you want rich soil, go about 80 miles south - below Montgomery.
All the same, this is great album and this is a great opener. Dawes is this perfect mix of Avett Brothers, Kings of Leon, and a heavy splash of Bob Seger. I completely love the throwback sound of this entire album.
Lou's Pub and Package makes perfect sense to me as the person he's talking to in this song. Sounds like he chased his love to a foreign town without her asking him to, found a local haunt that he felt comfortable with while he was there, and, now that he realizes it's over, he's telling his story to the only place/people he feels he can talk to.<br /> <br /> I'll agree that the Birmingham soil reference is weird, but at the same time the damp, red soil in Birmingham can seem "rich" to those who've never tried to grow on it.