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.
I'll be silent in my solitude
Can't find my smile or my gratitude
I'm afraid of what I might do
'Cause there's no me
If there's no me and you
I wish that i could open up your eyes
To feel the sun that burned in your mind
I can't deal with what you have done
Reincarnate i wonder who i might become
With the potential of a loaded gun
I could be as fresh as hard bubble gum
I don't have nothing, now I want me some
First some of you, then some of everyone
Oh darling since you've been away from me
I know how the pins feel in the bowling alley
They say love is something you feel but never see
When I see you I firmly disagree
I'm just trying to be all that I can be
Without destroying you
Or joining the army
Your ashes must be blowing everywhere
'Cause i could still feel you and you're nowhere near
And though you didn't say so i can tell that you still care
We could of had it all but then nothing is fair
I still think about washing your hair
I wish i could of washed away all of your
Can't find my smile or my gratitude
I'm afraid of what I might do
'Cause there's no me
If there's no me and you
I wish that i could open up your eyes
To feel the sun that burned in your mind
I can't deal with what you have done
Reincarnate i wonder who i might become
With the potential of a loaded gun
I could be as fresh as hard bubble gum
I don't have nothing, now I want me some
First some of you, then some of everyone
Oh darling since you've been away from me
I know how the pins feel in the bowling alley
They say love is something you feel but never see
When I see you I firmly disagree
I'm just trying to be all that I can be
Without destroying you
Or joining the army
Your ashes must be blowing everywhere
'Cause i could still feel you and you're nowhere near
And though you didn't say so i can tell that you still care
We could of had it all but then nothing is fair
I still think about washing your hair
I wish i could of washed away all of your
Lyrics submitted by Rosiega1218
Ashes Everywhere Lyrics as written by Joseph Lyburn Arthur
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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What I find puzzling is the lyric "I'm just trying to be all that I can be, without destroying you or joining the army". If joining the army would allow him to be 'all he can be' then why is he ruling it out?
A beautiful song none the less, one of my favourites.
to tednol...
I think this is actually about the frustration found in having been betrayed. "I can't deal with what you've done. Reincarnate i wonder who i might become." I think these lines show how what she has done makes him want to change. but the rest of the song tells me that maybe he has lost her and still forgiven her. What she did made him so angry but he does not want to get back at her. He just wants her back.
i think the reference to the army has nothing to do with the military. i think its the army.. the battle in his mind that makes him want to destory her.. but he can't. he doesnt want to join them.
I think the lines
"I'm just trying to be all that I can be Without destroying you Or joining the army"
is simply wordplay on the US Army's old motto of "Be all that you can be" (before it was changed to "An Army of One").
I agree with more than useless for sure. The army reference was a play on words and the "I can't deal with what you have done" part refers to suicide. She committed suicide that why he references her "ashes everywhere" rather than her simply breaking up with him.
i agree with mcliterati. for me, this song is about the end of a relationship. he didn't want to end the relationship but he had to. it's very sad. he still cares and i think the other person does too. but perhaps because of a betrayal, it's over.
Oh darling since you've been away from me I know how the pins feel in the bowling alley
And though you didn't say so i can tell that you still care We could've had it all but then nothing is fair