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, my God, please help me—
Knee-deep in the river tryin’ to get clean.
He says, “Wash your hands; get out the stains,
“But you best believe, boy, there’s hell to pay.
“Yeah, you best believe, boy, there’s hell to pay,” sayin’,
(Come on.)
Oh, my God, please help me—
Waist-deep in the river; can you hear my plea?
He says, “Son, you come like a beggar in the streets.
“You might make it, boy, but by the skin of your teeth.
“You might make it, boy, but by the skin of your teeth,” sayin’,
I reveled with the worst of them:
Fell in love with a harlequin;
Saw the darkest hearts of men.
And I saw myself starin’ back again,
And I saw myself starin’ back again.
Oh, my God, please help me—
Neck-deep in the river screamin’ for relief.
He says, “It’s mine to give, but it’s yours to choose.
“You’re gonna sink or swim; you’re gonna learn the Truth.
“No matter what you do, you’re gonna learn the Truth,” sayin’,
Ate the bread that once was stone;
Fell from a cliff—never broke a bone;
Bowed down to get the kings overthrown.
And I’m all alone, and the fire grows,
And I’m all alone, and the fire grows.
La la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la
Sing, sweet Charity.
Take what’s left of me.
A new beginning? Or is this the end?
Sing, sweet Seraphim.
Take me back again,
Or watch me make messes of men.
Knee-deep in the river tryin’ to get clean.
He says, “Wash your hands; get out the stains,
“But you best believe, boy, there’s hell to pay.
“Yeah, you best believe, boy, there’s hell to pay,” sayin’,
(Come on.)
Oh, my God, please help me—
Waist-deep in the river; can you hear my plea?
He says, “Son, you come like a beggar in the streets.
“You might make it, boy, but by the skin of your teeth.
“You might make it, boy, but by the skin of your teeth,” sayin’,
I reveled with the worst of them:
Fell in love with a harlequin;
Saw the darkest hearts of men.
And I saw myself starin’ back again,
And I saw myself starin’ back again.
Oh, my God, please help me—
Neck-deep in the river screamin’ for relief.
He says, “It’s mine to give, but it’s yours to choose.
“You’re gonna sink or swim; you’re gonna learn the Truth.
“No matter what you do, you’re gonna learn the Truth,” sayin’,
Ate the bread that once was stone;
Fell from a cliff—never broke a bone;
Bowed down to get the kings overthrown.
And I’m all alone, and the fire grows,
And I’m all alone, and the fire grows.
La la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la
Sing, sweet Charity.
Take what’s left of me.
A new beginning? Or is this the end?
Sing, sweet Seraphim.
Take me back again,
Or watch me make messes of men.
Lyrics submitted by DayWeMet, edited by BlueMerle, JAlPrufrock
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