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.
Speaking in degradation
A conversation can take a sudden turn
And reaching the point of violence
Because your silence left you without a hand to hold
Your past will lead you on to make
Making a final judgment
Based on your bias will never bring you forward
Terror should never guide you
For even the fearful can take a beating in the end
Suspicion gets you nowhere
Those who denounce a way of life
Will stand alone
Left to atone their social blunders
If you gun down the messenger
You guarantee that he will be made
Into a saint
The martyr of the free word
I will say what I think
I will do what I say
When liberty seems out of reach
We'll fight for our freedom of speech
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine,
Et lux perpetua luceat eis
Missing a simple context
A mental weakness can throw you out of balance
Listen, respect each other
It's not too late for mercy
I will say what I think
I will do what I say
When liberty seems out of reach
We'll fight for our freedom of speech
A conversation can take a sudden turn
And reaching the point of violence
Because your silence left you without a hand to hold
Your past will lead you on to make
Making a final judgment
Based on your bias will never bring you forward
Terror should never guide you
For even the fearful can take a beating in the end
Suspicion gets you nowhere
Those who denounce a way of life
Will stand alone
Left to atone their social blunders
If you gun down the messenger
You guarantee that he will be made
Into a saint
The martyr of the free word
I will say what I think
I will do what I say
When liberty seems out of reach
We'll fight for our freedom of speech
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine,
Et lux perpetua luceat eis
Missing a simple context
A mental weakness can throw you out of balance
Listen, respect each other
It's not too late for mercy
I will say what I think
I will do what I say
When liberty seems out of reach
We'll fight for our freedom of speech
Lyrics submitted by HystericRomance
Martyr of the Free Word Lyrics as written by Arien Van Weesenbeek Amanda Somerville
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Martyr of the Free Word
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine et lux perpetua luceat eis
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them
~ From The Roman Rite liturgy en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Requiem