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.
There's a young girl with her old man who's too sick to mention
She'll be turning twenty seven as she draws her widow's pension
But he couldn't catch a common cold he couldn't get arrested
Too terrified to answer back, too tired to have resisted
Many hands make light work, shorthand makes life easy
When he's out on night work, make sure no one sees me
It all ends up in a slanging match with body talk and bruises
A change is better than a rest
Silly beggars can't be choosers
One of a thousand pities that you can't categorize
There are ten commandments of love
When will you realize (there are ten commandments of love?)
I believe, I trust, I promise, I wish love's just a throwaway kiss
In this Pidgin English
If you're so wise use your lips and your eyes
"Take it to the bridge," she sighs
You go cheep-cheep-cheep between bull's-eyes and bluster
Stiff as your poker face, keener than mustard
From your own back yard to the land of exotica
From the truth society to neurotic erotica
Silence is golden (money talks diamonds and ermine)
There's a word in Spanish (Italian and German)
In sign language, Morse code, semaphore and gibberish
Have you forgotten how to say it
In your Pidgin English?
One of a thousand pities that you can't categorize
There are ten commandments of love
When will you realize (there are ten commandments of love?)
I believe, I trust, I promise, I wish love's just a throwaway kiss
In this Pidgin English
One of a thousand pities that you can't categorize
There are ten commandments of love
When will you realize (there are ten commandments of love?)
P.S, I love you
P.S, I love you
P.S, I love you
She'll be turning twenty seven as she draws her widow's pension
But he couldn't catch a common cold he couldn't get arrested
Too terrified to answer back, too tired to have resisted
Many hands make light work, shorthand makes life easy
When he's out on night work, make sure no one sees me
It all ends up in a slanging match with body talk and bruises
A change is better than a rest
Silly beggars can't be choosers
One of a thousand pities that you can't categorize
There are ten commandments of love
When will you realize (there are ten commandments of love?)
I believe, I trust, I promise, I wish love's just a throwaway kiss
In this Pidgin English
If you're so wise use your lips and your eyes
"Take it to the bridge," she sighs
You go cheep-cheep-cheep between bull's-eyes and bluster
Stiff as your poker face, keener than mustard
From your own back yard to the land of exotica
From the truth society to neurotic erotica
Silence is golden (money talks diamonds and ermine)
There's a word in Spanish (Italian and German)
In sign language, Morse code, semaphore and gibberish
Have you forgotten how to say it
In your Pidgin English?
One of a thousand pities that you can't categorize
There are ten commandments of love
When will you realize (there are ten commandments of love?)
I believe, I trust, I promise, I wish love's just a throwaway kiss
In this Pidgin English
One of a thousand pities that you can't categorize
There are ten commandments of love
When will you realize (there are ten commandments of love?)
P.S, I love you
P.S, I love you
P.S, I love you
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Pidgin English Lyrics as written by Elvis Costello
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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