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.
Having an argument with myself down Elizabeth Street
Bumping into backpackers and
struggling with the parameters
and the basic construction of my feet
Kicking beer cans and rubbish along the concrete
Crossing the street and crossing galaxies of taxis and
backseats and drunk Swedes and half-Greeks
Shut up, no, you shut up!
What's the matter, take a number, Buttercup!
Every time I hear you say "Fuck it"
I would remind you of the photo in your pocket
How long it's been there, two years, I bet
have a sniff, it probably smells like a cigarette
When was the last time you smoked a cigarette?
And more importantly, who did you smoke it with?
Having an argument with myself down Victoria Street
Passing the market now, the windows in neon illuminating my path to defeat
Your grinning face scaring a poor parakeet
Your heavy breathing scaring the wind
So rich on Summer and so sweet
Fuck you, no, you fuck you!
You didn't come here for nothing, did you?
I know that's what you've been saying lately
But let me draw attention to exhibit B
A honeysuckle in a plastic envelope
and put the flower underneath a microscope
See what's written on the petals
Look closer, that's her initials
And now I'm walking by Bev and Mick's backpacker hostel on Victoria Street
Where it's reggae night tonight
And the backpackers are pouring out like a tidal wave of vomit
I have to sit down on the curbside and count the coins in my pocket
See if I have enough cash to take a taxi home
...No
Alright, yes, can we just try to figure this out?
Can we just talk about this, please?
Nah, I don't wanna talk to you
OK, you wanna keep fighting?
Yeah, I wanna keep on fighting
Alright, fair enough
1, 2, 3, here we go!
Having an argument with myself down Queensbury Street
The lonely light from the town hall clock tower
Chime of the bells striking
1, 2, 3
And it took shape in the form of an image in the form of a living memory
The way her shadow used to walk by your side
In a different time, in a different city
Oh please, no you oh please!
I wanna see you drop down on your knees
I wanna see your hand waving "Farewell"
Why you hittin' yourself, why you hittin' yourself?
History repeats itself twice, said Marx
First as tragedy, then as farce
But where did I find its source,
To make history of a love, a love like ours?
A love like ours
Bumping into backpackers and
struggling with the parameters
and the basic construction of my feet
Kicking beer cans and rubbish along the concrete
Crossing the street and crossing galaxies of taxis and
backseats and drunk Swedes and half-Greeks
Shut up, no, you shut up!
What's the matter, take a number, Buttercup!
Every time I hear you say "Fuck it"
I would remind you of the photo in your pocket
How long it's been there, two years, I bet
have a sniff, it probably smells like a cigarette
When was the last time you smoked a cigarette?
And more importantly, who did you smoke it with?
Having an argument with myself down Victoria Street
Passing the market now, the windows in neon illuminating my path to defeat
Your grinning face scaring a poor parakeet
Your heavy breathing scaring the wind
So rich on Summer and so sweet
Fuck you, no, you fuck you!
You didn't come here for nothing, did you?
I know that's what you've been saying lately
But let me draw attention to exhibit B
A honeysuckle in a plastic envelope
and put the flower underneath a microscope
See what's written on the petals
Look closer, that's her initials
And now I'm walking by Bev and Mick's backpacker hostel on Victoria Street
Where it's reggae night tonight
And the backpackers are pouring out like a tidal wave of vomit
I have to sit down on the curbside and count the coins in my pocket
See if I have enough cash to take a taxi home
...No
Alright, yes, can we just try to figure this out?
Can we just talk about this, please?
Nah, I don't wanna talk to you
OK, you wanna keep fighting?
Yeah, I wanna keep on fighting
Alright, fair enough
1, 2, 3, here we go!
Having an argument with myself down Queensbury Street
The lonely light from the town hall clock tower
Chime of the bells striking
1, 2, 3
And it took shape in the form of an image in the form of a living memory
The way her shadow used to walk by your side
In a different time, in a different city
Oh please, no you oh please!
I wanna see you drop down on your knees
I wanna see your hand waving "Farewell"
Why you hittin' yourself, why you hittin' yourself?
History repeats itself twice, said Marx
First as tragedy, then as farce
But where did I find its source,
To make history of a love, a love like ours?
A love like ours
Lyrics submitted by TheRandomGuy, edited by NotJensLekman
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"How long it's been there, two years, has it? ????? smell like cigarette"
I hear: "how long's it been there, two years i bet have a sniff it smells like a cigarette"
Also, "The lonely life from the town hall club tower" = "the lonely light from the town hall clock tower"
And about the last verse...yeah, I have no idea :(
One more: "backseats and drunks, sweets, and half-Greeks" = "backseats and drunk suites and half-Greeks"
Thanks for the corrections! Sometimes he just went too fast for me to really make out.
Compiling what others have said:<br /> <br /> Having an argument with myself down Victoria Street<br /> Passing the market now, the windows IN NEON illuminating my path to defeat<br /> Your grinning face scaring a poor parakeet<br /> Your HEAVY breathing scaring the wind<br /> <br /> So rich on Summer and so sweet<br /> <br /> Fuck you, no, you fuck you!<br /> You didn't come here for nothing, did you?<br /> I know that's what you've been saying lately<br /> But let me draw attention to a exhibit B<br /> <br /> A HONEYSUCKLE in a plastic envelope<br /> and put the flower UNDERNEATH A microscope<br /> See what's written on the petals<br /> Look closer, that's her initials