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.
It's a long way to the promise land
So you'd better well know your way
Where's a ship on the ocean
And an albatross who is trying to lead you astray
Leaders, politicians, and power whores
Are in line to receive your choice
And you bet your ass, if you give it to them,
They will gladly take your voice
And it's a long way to the promise land
Wo-oh oh oh oh
It's a long way to the promise land,
If we work we might find it here
There's no substitute for enlightenment,
There's no reason for bridled fear
When you join the people who've joined the club
You gotta clench and play your hand
'cause if you fall in line you're gonna fall in time
And you'll never make a stand
It's a long way to the promise land
Wo-oh oh oh oh
What are you going to do?
When they call for you?
Bend and capitulate?
Or keep your head on straight?
Easy answers bought without experience,
Is gonna lead you to certain doom
Because the truth is just what you make of it,
It begins and ends with you!
And it's a long way to the promise land
Wo-oh oh oh oh
So you'd better well know your way
Where's a ship on the ocean
And an albatross who is trying to lead you astray
Leaders, politicians, and power whores
Are in line to receive your choice
And you bet your ass, if you give it to them,
They will gladly take your voice
And it's a long way to the promise land
Wo-oh oh oh oh
It's a long way to the promise land,
If we work we might find it here
There's no substitute for enlightenment,
There's no reason for bridled fear
When you join the people who've joined the club
You gotta clench and play your hand
'cause if you fall in line you're gonna fall in time
And you'll never make a stand
It's a long way to the promise land
Wo-oh oh oh oh
What are you going to do?
When they call for you?
Bend and capitulate?
Or keep your head on straight?
Easy answers bought without experience,
Is gonna lead you to certain doom
Because the truth is just what you make of it,
It begins and ends with you!
And it's a long way to the promise land
Wo-oh oh oh oh
Lyrics submitted by Kpizzle, edited by Mellow_Harsher
It's a Long Way to the Promise Land Lyrics as written by Greg Graffin
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I have to agree...though I disagree in other levels...
"Leaders, politicians, and power whores Are in line to receive your choice ... if you give it to them, They will gladly take your voice"
"When you join the people who've joined the club You've gotta clench, and play YOUR hand"
"no substitute for enlightenment"
"easy answers bought without experience, Is gonna lead you to certain doom"
"Because the truth is just what you make of it,"
"What are you going to do?"
with the biblical termes... and modern
yea its not too different from you'v got a chance I think....
straight up you better know what your getting into out in the jungle cuz we got a long way to go..
Greg says "If you give it to them they will steal your voice". What happens if you don't give it to the leaders, politicians, and power whores that he speaks of here? Greg (the writer) and whoever the band's mail reader is, what's your answer?