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.
She sets her alarm
Five minutes to midnight
And wakes just in time
To greet the new year
Remembers the kisses
Remembers the laughter
And all that's gone away
She shuffles around
Turning the lights on
Goes to the kitchen
Gets the champagne
Opens the window
And wrapped in a blanket
Begins to count and wait
Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one
Happy New Year, happy New Year
They say you can hear it
Over the island
Starting in Times Square and spreading throughout
A roar like the ocean
It comes from a distance
Grows louder then turns quiet
She sits in a dream
Or in a memory
While old conversations play in her ears
Sometimes the minutes feel longer than hours
Some days feel long as years
She just glad she gets to be around
To see another spring come to this town
Happy New Year, happy New Year
To you
She sets her alarm
Five minutes to midnight
And wakes just in time
To say her goodbyes
Thanking the old year for all it has brought her
No mention of the things it took away
She shuffles around
Turning the lights out
Closes the window
Checks on the locks
Folds up the blanket
Empties the bottle
And leaves it in the hallway dark
She's just glad she gets to be around
To see another spring come to this town
Happy New Year, happy New Year
Happy New Year, happy New Year
Happy New Year, happy New Year
To you
Happy New Year, happy New Year
Happy New Year, happy New Year
Happy New Year, happy New Year to you
Five minutes to midnight
And wakes just in time
To greet the new year
Remembers the kisses
Remembers the laughter
And all that's gone away
She shuffles around
Turning the lights on
Goes to the kitchen
Gets the champagne
Opens the window
And wrapped in a blanket
Begins to count and wait
Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one
Happy New Year, happy New Year
They say you can hear it
Over the island
Starting in Times Square and spreading throughout
A roar like the ocean
It comes from a distance
Grows louder then turns quiet
She sits in a dream
Or in a memory
While old conversations play in her ears
Sometimes the minutes feel longer than hours
Some days feel long as years
She just glad she gets to be around
To see another spring come to this town
Happy New Year, happy New Year
To you
She sets her alarm
Five minutes to midnight
And wakes just in time
To say her goodbyes
Thanking the old year for all it has brought her
No mention of the things it took away
She shuffles around
Turning the lights out
Closes the window
Checks on the locks
Folds up the blanket
Empties the bottle
And leaves it in the hallway dark
She's just glad she gets to be around
To see another spring come to this town
Happy New Year, happy New Year
Happy New Year, happy New Year
Happy New Year, happy New Year
To you
Happy New Year, happy New Year
Happy New Year, happy New Year
Happy New Year, happy New Year to you
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