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.
A maid walked out one day, one day.
She met an ancient man by the way:
His head was bald, his beard was grey,
His clothing made of the cold earth and clay —
His clothing made of the cold earth and clay.
She said “Old man, what man are you?
What country do you belong unto?”
“My name is Death. Hast heard of me?
All kings and princes bow down unto me,
And you, fair maid, must come along with me.”
“I’ll give you gold; I’ll give you pearls;
I’ll give you costly rich robes to wear,
If you will spare me a little while
And give me time my life to amend —
And give me time my life to amend.”
“I’ll have no gold; I’ll have no pearls;
I want no costly rich robes to wear,
I cannot spare you a little while
Nor give you time your life to amend —
Nor give you time your life to amend.”
In six months’ time this fair maid died.
“Let this be put on my tombstone,” she cried,
“Here lies a poor distressèd maid.
All in her prime she was snatchèd away,
Her clothing made of the cold earth and clay.”
She met an ancient man by the way:
His head was bald, his beard was grey,
His clothing made of the cold earth and clay —
His clothing made of the cold earth and clay.
She said “Old man, what man are you?
What country do you belong unto?”
“My name is Death. Hast heard of me?
All kings and princes bow down unto me,
And you, fair maid, must come along with me.”
“I’ll give you gold; I’ll give you pearls;
I’ll give you costly rich robes to wear,
If you will spare me a little while
And give me time my life to amend —
And give me time my life to amend.”
“I’ll have no gold; I’ll have no pearls;
I want no costly rich robes to wear,
I cannot spare you a little while
Nor give you time your life to amend —
Nor give you time your life to amend.”
In six months’ time this fair maid died.
“Let this be put on my tombstone,” she cried,
“Here lies a poor distressèd maid.
All in her prime she was snatchèd away,
Her clothing made of the cold earth and clay.”
Lyrics submitted by Anomalocaris
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