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.
A sorting office in the Old Kent Road
Caters from coast to most
A nice little number if you're out of work
And aren't the sort to boast,
you're in need of a job, bob-a-job, rob-a-job
I'm your man to see
I'll sit I'll listen I'll not say a word
The less said would be best for we
Oh, what a firm of naughty boys
Oh, I've been a naughty boy
We don't want to mark each other's card
Except the one you need
I need you and your returns to help
Build my company.
My twins work Brighton on a sunny day
They cover town with the shake of a hand
On a high come back 'cause of no come back
Now they're working in the promised land.
Oh, what a pair of naughty boys
Oh, I've been a naughty boy
(The Allied Irish Cyprus Bank)
(India Bank Bank of Turkey)
(United Bank The People's Bank)
(To catch the worm you got to be up early)
Temporarily out of bounds had to move office
Clear out of town
For every problem there's a solution and
I can do without constitution
Dealing cards from up the Old Kent Road
I've been checked up on my heavy load
You can go but be back soon
I'll have some work for you to groom.
Oh, what a lot of naughty boys
Oh, I've been a naughty boy
(Trustees Bank, Barclays Bank)
(The Natwest Bank, Midland Bank)
(Bank Of Scotland, Williams and Glyns)
(Bureau de Change, The People's Bank)
Oh, what a lot of naughty boys
Oh, what a pair of naughty boys
Oh, what a firm of naughty boys
Oh, I've been a naughty boy
Caters from coast to most
A nice little number if you're out of work
And aren't the sort to boast,
you're in need of a job, bob-a-job, rob-a-job
I'm your man to see
I'll sit I'll listen I'll not say a word
The less said would be best for we
Oh, what a firm of naughty boys
Oh, I've been a naughty boy
We don't want to mark each other's card
Except the one you need
I need you and your returns to help
Build my company.
My twins work Brighton on a sunny day
They cover town with the shake of a hand
On a high come back 'cause of no come back
Now they're working in the promised land.
Oh, what a pair of naughty boys
Oh, I've been a naughty boy
(The Allied Irish Cyprus Bank)
(India Bank Bank of Turkey)
(United Bank The People's Bank)
(To catch the worm you got to be up early)
Temporarily out of bounds had to move office
Clear out of town
For every problem there's a solution and
I can do without constitution
Dealing cards from up the Old Kent Road
I've been checked up on my heavy load
You can go but be back soon
I'll have some work for you to groom.
Oh, what a lot of naughty boys
Oh, I've been a naughty boy
(Trustees Bank, Barclays Bank)
(The Natwest Bank, Midland Bank)
(Bank Of Scotland, Williams and Glyns)
(Bureau de Change, The People's Bank)
Oh, what a lot of naughty boys
Oh, what a pair of naughty boys
Oh, what a firm of naughty boys
Oh, I've been a naughty boy
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Calling Cards Lyrics as written by Christopher Foreman Cathal Joseph Smyth
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Great version of a great song,
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I think that this song isabout a group of bank robbers