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.
Time is a menstruous woman; one cannot control her eddying currents. Herod did not appear, and so the innkeeper's hours dragged like the ox, fast against his yoke. So much to do, but like the ox, he is stubborn and clings like a child to his dream. (Just a dream.) But who can fill an inn with dreams? For a panther may love the ape, yet despite their efforts, they will never produce issue.
Looks like my star has gone out tonight
I feel so small, now she's gone
She was right and I was wrong
Old King H. ain't gonna show
Christ, any fool would know
I think about her in my mind
Wanna touch her all the time
When I pray to God above
Even when I'm making love
I thought I could trust you, thought I could count on you, lord
Now I feel cheated, used up and misleaded, lord
But you hold the cards, you stack the deck
You roll the dice, I'm at your beck and call
Like it or not, you call the shots
You made the world, so fair enough, lord
(Like it or not, he calls the shots
He made the world)
That's all I got, lord
Back-talking, street-walking, mumbo and jive
I don't think I'll get out of this town alive
I'm just a man and I'll do what I can
Making my way down in Bethlehem
Book-flicking, song-singing, chapter and bell
I don't understand you, god, my life is hell
I ask for salvation, you show me no lies
Always on my case, man, wind me some time
It's just mumbo and jive, it's just mumbo and jive
Running an inn is just mumbo and jive, it's just--
Lord, I am down on my knees
Please save me, deliver me
Please answer one inquiry
Who? When? What? How? And why?
Looks like my star has gone out tonight
I feel so small, now she's gone
She was right and I was wrong
Old King H. ain't gonna show
Christ, any fool would know
I think about her in my mind
Wanna touch her all the time
When I pray to God above
Even when I'm making love
I thought I could trust you, thought I could count on you, lord
Now I feel cheated, used up and misleaded, lord
But you hold the cards, you stack the deck
You roll the dice, I'm at your beck and call
Like it or not, you call the shots
You made the world, so fair enough, lord
(Like it or not, he calls the shots
He made the world)
That's all I got, lord
Back-talking, street-walking, mumbo and jive
I don't think I'll get out of this town alive
I'm just a man and I'll do what I can
Making my way down in Bethlehem
Book-flicking, song-singing, chapter and bell
I don't understand you, god, my life is hell
I ask for salvation, you show me no lies
Always on my case, man, wind me some time
It's just mumbo and jive, it's just mumbo and jive
Running an inn is just mumbo and jive, it's just--
Lord, I am down on my knees
Please save me, deliver me
Please answer one inquiry
Who? When? What? How? And why?
Lyrics submitted by embassyrow
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