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.
The doors to the mission open at seven
And the soup will be ready about nine
Right now it's six-thirty, they're ragged and dirty
They're standin' and sittin' and layin' in line
First they'll do a little singin', then hear a little preachin'
And get saved for the 3rd time this week
A bowl of soup later and a pat on the shoulder
And by midnight, they're back on the street
They walk to the corner of 4th street and Broadway
Then take the first alley on the right
One of them asks a stranger, "How 'bout a hand"?
And he gives 'em one finger at a time
Then they spot an old buddy with a bottle of heaven
Then pass around what means everything
One bottle for four, thank God, someone scored
And now the midnight choir starts to sing
Will they have Mogen David in Heaven?
Dear Lord, we'd all like to know
Will they have Mogen David in Heaven, sweet Jesus?
If they don't, who the hell wants to go?
Will they have Mogen David in Heaven?
Dear Lord, we'd all like to know
Will they have Mogen David in Heaven, sweet Jesus?
If they don't, who the hell wants to go?
If they don't, who the hell wants to go, dear good God?
Will they have Mogen David in Heaven?
Dear Lord, we'd all like to know
Will they have Mogen David in Heaven, sweet Jesus?
If they don't, who the hell wants to go?
And the soup will be ready about nine
Right now it's six-thirty, they're ragged and dirty
They're standin' and sittin' and layin' in line
First they'll do a little singin', then hear a little preachin'
And get saved for the 3rd time this week
A bowl of soup later and a pat on the shoulder
And by midnight, they're back on the street
They walk to the corner of 4th street and Broadway
Then take the first alley on the right
One of them asks a stranger, "How 'bout a hand"?
And he gives 'em one finger at a time
Then they spot an old buddy with a bottle of heaven
Then pass around what means everything
One bottle for four, thank God, someone scored
And now the midnight choir starts to sing
Will they have Mogen David in Heaven?
Dear Lord, we'd all like to know
Will they have Mogen David in Heaven, sweet Jesus?
If they don't, who the hell wants to go?
Will they have Mogen David in Heaven?
Dear Lord, we'd all like to know
Will they have Mogen David in Heaven, sweet Jesus?
If they don't, who the hell wants to go?
If they don't, who the hell wants to go, dear good God?
Will they have Mogen David in Heaven?
Dear Lord, we'd all like to know
Will they have Mogen David in Heaven, sweet Jesus?
If they don't, who the hell wants to go?
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Midnight Choir (Mogen David) Lyrics as written by Gatlin
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I love the line, "And get saved for the third time this week".