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.
Life in the 20th Century is everything but easy
Most people unemployed
The young and the old on the dole
Fortunately, our modern state
Developed methods to keep you out of misery
An hour or two spent in a queue
Fill twenty files and access to paradise
If you're 25, ask for R.M.I.
Just stay home and get the fucking money
And it's so well made
That your debts will be erased
Make your best to abuse the system
Brave new world remunerating idleness as a part-time job
Of course some things are asked to me
Go to the ANPE
So that they go on paying
When all I do is nothing
Fortunately, it's only two times a week
Sometimes you make a sacrifice
A tiny pain for a comfortable gain
Allowances are falling like rain
Like rain
If you're 25, ask for R.M.I.
Just stay home and get the fucking money
And expecting mothers
Will even get more
Giving a future to the nation
And gettin' paid for
Stand and deliver profits and benefits
Go
Help yourself in the gold mine
The witty lead the blind
Help yourself in the gold mine
Life suddenly comes fine
If you're 25, ask for R.M.I.
Just stay home and get the fucking money
And it's so well made
That your debts will be erased
Make your best to abuse the system
Fortunately our modern state
Keeps you out of misery
Most people unemployed
The young and the old on the dole
Fortunately, our modern state
Developed methods to keep you out of misery
An hour or two spent in a queue
Fill twenty files and access to paradise
If you're 25, ask for R.M.I.
Just stay home and get the fucking money
And it's so well made
That your debts will be erased
Make your best to abuse the system
Brave new world remunerating idleness as a part-time job
Of course some things are asked to me
Go to the ANPE
So that they go on paying
When all I do is nothing
Fortunately, it's only two times a week
Sometimes you make a sacrifice
A tiny pain for a comfortable gain
Allowances are falling like rain
Like rain
If you're 25, ask for R.M.I.
Just stay home and get the fucking money
And expecting mothers
Will even get more
Giving a future to the nation
And gettin' paid for
Stand and deliver profits and benefits
Go
Help yourself in the gold mine
The witty lead the blind
Help yourself in the gold mine
Life suddenly comes fine
If you're 25, ask for R.M.I.
Just stay home and get the fucking money
And it's so well made
That your debts will be erased
Make your best to abuse the system
Fortunately our modern state
Keeps you out of misery
Lyrics submitted by bananahero
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