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.
When I was just a wee little lad
Full of health and joy
My father homeward came one night
And gave to me a toy
A wonder to behold it was
With many colors bright
And the moment I laid eyes on it
It became my heart's delight
It went "Zip" when it moved
And "Bop" when it stopped
And "Whirrr" when it stood still
I never knew just what it was and I guess I never will
The first time that I picked it up
I had a big surprise
'Cause right on the bottom were two big buttons
That looked like big green eyes
I first pushed one and then the other
Then I twisted its lid
And when I set it down again
Here is what it did
It went "Zip" when it moved
And "Bop" when it stopped
And "Whirrr" when it stood still
I never knew just what it was and I guess I never will
It first marched left and then marched right
Then marched under a chair
And when I looked where it had gone
It wasn't even there
I started to cry, but my daddy laughed
'Cause he knew that I would find
When I turned around my marvelous toy
Would be chugging from behind
"Zip" when it moved
And "Bop" when it stopped
And "Whirrr" when it stood still
I never knew just what it was and I guess I never will
Whirr, whirr, whirr
The years have gone by too quickly it seems
I have my own little boy
And yesterday I gave to him
My marvelous little toy
His eyes nearly popped right out of his head
And he gave a squeal of glee
Neither one of us knows just what it is
But he loves it just like me
It still goes "Zip" when it moves
And "Bop" when it stops
And "Whirrr" when it stands still
I never knew just what it was and I guess I never will
Full of health and joy
My father homeward came one night
And gave to me a toy
A wonder to behold it was
With many colors bright
And the moment I laid eyes on it
It became my heart's delight
It went "Zip" when it moved
And "Bop" when it stopped
And "Whirrr" when it stood still
I never knew just what it was and I guess I never will
The first time that I picked it up
I had a big surprise
'Cause right on the bottom were two big buttons
That looked like big green eyes
I first pushed one and then the other
Then I twisted its lid
And when I set it down again
Here is what it did
It went "Zip" when it moved
And "Bop" when it stopped
And "Whirrr" when it stood still
I never knew just what it was and I guess I never will
It first marched left and then marched right
Then marched under a chair
And when I looked where it had gone
It wasn't even there
I started to cry, but my daddy laughed
'Cause he knew that I would find
When I turned around my marvelous toy
Would be chugging from behind
"Zip" when it moved
And "Bop" when it stopped
And "Whirrr" when it stood still
I never knew just what it was and I guess I never will
Whirr, whirr, whirr
The years have gone by too quickly it seems
I have my own little boy
And yesterday I gave to him
My marvelous little toy
His eyes nearly popped right out of his head
And he gave a squeal of glee
Neither one of us knows just what it is
But he loves it just like me
It still goes "Zip" when it moves
And "Bop" when it stops
And "Whirrr" when it stands still
I never knew just what it was and I guess I never will
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings, edited by Mellow_Harsher
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