Crossburner

I think this is a song about a women that desires commitment and attention, but can't commit herself. The first verse seems like he's questioning if this woman is too good to be true and he finds out that she isn't truthful or committed. The chorus opener: "Turn your boat you stow away" could reference her escape plan when/if the relationship doesn't work out. The second verse confirms her desire for commitment and attention: "You break your back for little things, Like compliments and wedding rings." And how it bothers him and her repetitive hypocrisy makes him hate her. "I've caught you by the throat and tried to squeeze, But you weren't real" could mean that she didn't expect anything emotional or expect a two-way relationship and so even if he tried to hurt her emotionally, she wasn't all that invested and couldn't really be hurt. "I'm sorry we're so far away" is just explaining their vast difference in personality and views of how a relationship should work.

I sense an existential conflict here, a constant theme in Greg's lyrics. Specifically, the internal restlessness that comes from having explored Christianity as an escape from one's own chaotic mind, only to find out there's not a place for them in that world either...

Turn your boat you stowaway It’s better there here’s not okay I’m sorry it’s so far away You break your back for little things Like compliments and wedding rings I hate that little song you sing That song you sing

I think the word It's is actually wound like "what's better here..." To me, this means the feeling of confusion and frustration that comes from realizing all that you've come to know is better for you in this world is not ok in the eyes of God.

Furthermore, the perspective of God that sees us toiling for our own little comforts that we see as so important which to him he hates and means nothing.

Maybe Im projecting my own experiences into the song, thru that lens it makes perfect sense to me.