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.
now that your eyes have finally opened
are you wondering how they must feel?
those who you’ve called colorful, noble and proud
in your school propaganda books and spoken aloud
you never learned how they were starved in their splendor
you asked for my comment, here I will render
now that the long-houses breed superstition
you force us to send our children away
to schools where they’re taught to despise their traditions
you forbid them their languages, then further you say
that American history really began
When Europe set sail, then stress
that the nation of leeches that conquered this land
are the ones more civilized than all of the rest
and yet where in your history books is the tale
of the genocide basic to this country’s birth
of the preachers who lied, how the bill of rights failed
how a nation of patriots returned to their earth?
hear how the bargain was made for the west:
children dying of exposure in zero degrees
blankets for your land, so the treaties attest
blankets for land is a bargain indeed
and yet a few of the conquered have somehow survived
their blood runs the redder though genes have paled
from the Grand Canyon’s caverns to craven sad hills
the wounded, the losers,the robbed sing their tale
the past it just crumbled, the future just threatens
our life blood shut up in your chemical tanks
and now here you come, bill of sale in your hands
and surprise in your eyes that we’re lacking in thanks
for the blessings of civilization you’ve brought us
the lessons you’ve taught us,the ruins that you’ve wrought us --
see what our trust in America’s brought us
my country ‘tis of thy people you’re dying
the pride of the sires receives charity
we’re harmless and safe behind their laws
my life’s to be known as your “heritage”
even the graves have been robbed
our own chosen way is a novelty
hands on our hearts
we salute your victory
choke on your blue, white and scarlet hypocrisy
blind, ignorant nations is all that we see
that the eagles of war
whose wings lent you glory
they were never no more
than carrion crows
they pushed the wrens from their nests
and stole their eggs
a historical whitewash-- re-writing their story
the mockingbird sings it, it’s all that he knows
“what can I do?” say a powerless few
with a lump in your throat and a tear in your eye
their destruction is profiting you
their poverty’s profiting you
are you wondering how they must feel?
those who you’ve called colorful, noble and proud
in your school propaganda books and spoken aloud
you never learned how they were starved in their splendor
you asked for my comment, here I will render
now that the long-houses breed superstition
you force us to send our children away
to schools where they’re taught to despise their traditions
you forbid them their languages, then further you say
that American history really began
When Europe set sail, then stress
that the nation of leeches that conquered this land
are the ones more civilized than all of the rest
and yet where in your history books is the tale
of the genocide basic to this country’s birth
of the preachers who lied, how the bill of rights failed
how a nation of patriots returned to their earth?
hear how the bargain was made for the west:
children dying of exposure in zero degrees
blankets for your land, so the treaties attest
blankets for land is a bargain indeed
and yet a few of the conquered have somehow survived
their blood runs the redder though genes have paled
from the Grand Canyon’s caverns to craven sad hills
the wounded, the losers,the robbed sing their tale
the past it just crumbled, the future just threatens
our life blood shut up in your chemical tanks
and now here you come, bill of sale in your hands
and surprise in your eyes that we’re lacking in thanks
for the blessings of civilization you’ve brought us
the lessons you’ve taught us,the ruins that you’ve wrought us --
see what our trust in America’s brought us
my country ‘tis of thy people you’re dying
the pride of the sires receives charity
we’re harmless and safe behind their laws
my life’s to be known as your “heritage”
even the graves have been robbed
our own chosen way is a novelty
hands on our hearts
we salute your victory
choke on your blue, white and scarlet hypocrisy
blind, ignorant nations is all that we see
that the eagles of war
whose wings lent you glory
they were never no more
than carrion crows
they pushed the wrens from their nests
and stole their eggs
a historical whitewash-- re-writing their story
the mockingbird sings it, it’s all that he knows
“what can I do?” say a powerless few
with a lump in your throat and a tear in your eye
their destruction is profiting you
their poverty’s profiting you
Lyrics submitted by queerkid95
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