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.
Well I come from a long way south
To the heart of the land is where I'm livin now
And you know I'm worn and torn
For it's a long way back to the place I was born
Still I think I've finally arrived
To where the desert life is a real paradise
With you I've learned to see
That where a man feels at home
Is where he's meant to be
So I'll see you out on the mulga & spinifex plain
Anytime Tjilpi* I'll be coming back this way
See you out on the mulga and spinifex plain
Just light me a fire and I'll soon be home again
Sometimes I think how can I stay here
Do I really belong in this long hot year
But when the summer rains fall down
You know I feel so alive
I've gotta stick around
With you all of my life
I've been wanting to come and be close by your life
But I know it won't be long
And I'll have to go back to where I started from
But you can see me out on the mulga & spinifex plain
Anytime Tjilpi I'll be coming back this way
See you out on the mulga and spinifex plain
Just light me a fire and I'll soon be home again
I'm a stranger to your life for a start
And I'm not sure if I can really play a part
Still I came to your country
I don't know what you're thinking of me
All I know is I can't forget these times with you
See I don't want to lose you
Not your warmth or your humour
You can see how sad it makes me to have to go
When I'm gone and far away
Still here in my mind I will always stay
With you I'll always be here
No matter how far I stray through the years
But for you to believe what I say
Is not what I ask or expect today
For I know that many have spoken before
And gone again with nothing more
But you can see me out on the mulga & spinifex plain
Anytime Tjilpi I'll be coming back this way
See you out on the mulga and spinifex plain
Just light me a fire and I'll soon be home again
*Tjilpi, old man
To the heart of the land is where I'm livin now
And you know I'm worn and torn
For it's a long way back to the place I was born
Still I think I've finally arrived
To where the desert life is a real paradise
With you I've learned to see
That where a man feels at home
Is where he's meant to be
So I'll see you out on the mulga & spinifex plain
Anytime Tjilpi* I'll be coming back this way
See you out on the mulga and spinifex plain
Just light me a fire and I'll soon be home again
Sometimes I think how can I stay here
Do I really belong in this long hot year
But when the summer rains fall down
You know I feel so alive
I've gotta stick around
With you all of my life
I've been wanting to come and be close by your life
But I know it won't be long
And I'll have to go back to where I started from
But you can see me out on the mulga & spinifex plain
Anytime Tjilpi I'll be coming back this way
See you out on the mulga and spinifex plain
Just light me a fire and I'll soon be home again
I'm a stranger to your life for a start
And I'm not sure if I can really play a part
Still I came to your country
I don't know what you're thinking of me
All I know is I can't forget these times with you
See I don't want to lose you
Not your warmth or your humour
You can see how sad it makes me to have to go
When I'm gone and far away
Still here in my mind I will always stay
With you I'll always be here
No matter how far I stray through the years
But for you to believe what I say
Is not what I ask or expect today
For I know that many have spoken before
And gone again with nothing more
But you can see me out on the mulga & spinifex plain
Anytime Tjilpi I'll be coming back this way
See you out on the mulga and spinifex plain
Just light me a fire and I'll soon be home again
*Tjilpi, old man
Lyrics submitted by SmashTheElder
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