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.
"To the south there's a city, ruled by a serpent-tongue
Spinning his lies and tales, blinding everyone
When I come to end this tyrant, he spouts words of silken twine
Winding me in vapours, mystifying, clouding up my mind
Then I recall words of warning said by my master
Never allow for his enchantments to penetrate
Know his weakness is my strength overcome this haze
CHORUS:
Overlord your reign is at an end
Your false walls are crumbling within
Oppressor your spell has come undone
Defy no more, imposter, overlord
Once I see through the veil he has conjured out of dust
Trapping his followers in a world they cannot trust
Like a curtain hangs his doctrine, enslaving all who hear
I must destroy this web, free the people, alleviate their fear
As though a fog has been lifted, cries echo around us
And like his brother before him I feel no remorse
He will lie upon the altar, a well-deserving course
CHORUS
You conjure your false walls
Imposter, you surround us
Your serpent tongue is enslaving everyone
Oppressor, overlord
Your doctrine, just vapours
Your lies are leading the lost
I will end you here
"
Spinning his lies and tales, blinding everyone
When I come to end this tyrant, he spouts words of silken twine
Winding me in vapours, mystifying, clouding up my mind
Then I recall words of warning said by my master
Never allow for his enchantments to penetrate
Know his weakness is my strength overcome this haze
CHORUS:
Overlord your reign is at an end
Your false walls are crumbling within
Oppressor your spell has come undone
Defy no more, imposter, overlord
Once I see through the veil he has conjured out of dust
Trapping his followers in a world they cannot trust
Like a curtain hangs his doctrine, enslaving all who hear
I must destroy this web, free the people, alleviate their fear
As though a fog has been lifted, cries echo around us
And like his brother before him I feel no remorse
He will lie upon the altar, a well-deserving course
CHORUS
You conjure your false walls
Imposter, you surround us
Your serpent tongue is enslaving everyone
Oppressor, overlord
Your doctrine, just vapours
Your lies are leading the lost
I will end you here
"
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