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.
Hey you, what'd you say with your sceptre in hand?
Dont lie, what am I but a sick sycophant?
Oh you pretty men with your pretty demands
Is there an honest way that I can knock 'em dead?
The capitals deserted, its returning to the woods
Now don't be scared, now don't be scared
There are bodies everywhere
The silent decks of arks litter the sea
The archaeologists
They start to sift the darkest century
There's a blight parasite in the countryside so the camps are shipping
Lean, sweet, cuts of meat off the bodies of banished poets
They arrive, boxed up, in frozen trains
And delivered in the night to the butcher man who asks no questions
And all a sudden, songs are budding, hearts are flooding through the square
The vines, they wind up placards and cocoon baroque hotels
Don't be scared
The mynah birds they nest themselves in TV aerials
As creepers creep across Phnom Penh
There are bodies everywhere
The silent decks of arks litter the sea
The archaeologists
They start to sift the darkest century
And now there's not enough
There's nothing here for me
Though your eyes are bright
I can't tonight
I can't tonight
Oh my friends
I do believe it's bigger than us both
And so to open up the door and let it go
I fell into your eyes of blue
When all the rust had come
There are bodies everywhere
The silent decks of arks litter the sea
The archaeologists
They start to sift the darkest century
And now there's not enough
There's nothing here for me
Though your eyes are bright
I can't tonight
I can't tonight
The empty city
The empty city
The empty city
The empty city
Dont lie, what am I but a sick sycophant?
Oh you pretty men with your pretty demands
Is there an honest way that I can knock 'em dead?
The capitals deserted, its returning to the woods
Now don't be scared, now don't be scared
There are bodies everywhere
The silent decks of arks litter the sea
The archaeologists
They start to sift the darkest century
There's a blight parasite in the countryside so the camps are shipping
Lean, sweet, cuts of meat off the bodies of banished poets
They arrive, boxed up, in frozen trains
And delivered in the night to the butcher man who asks no questions
And all a sudden, songs are budding, hearts are flooding through the square
The vines, they wind up placards and cocoon baroque hotels
Don't be scared
The mynah birds they nest themselves in TV aerials
As creepers creep across Phnom Penh
There are bodies everywhere
The silent decks of arks litter the sea
The archaeologists
They start to sift the darkest century
And now there's not enough
There's nothing here for me
Though your eyes are bright
I can't tonight
I can't tonight
Oh my friends
I do believe it's bigger than us both
And so to open up the door and let it go
I fell into your eyes of blue
When all the rust had come
There are bodies everywhere
The silent decks of arks litter the sea
The archaeologists
They start to sift the darkest century
And now there's not enough
There's nothing here for me
Though your eyes are bright
I can't tonight
I can't tonight
The empty city
The empty city
The empty city
The empty city
Lyrics submitted by P514sub
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.