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.
You there on the bridge, where have you been? What's your name?
And you there on the wall, where will you go to once you fall?
You lost at sea, do you need me, do need directions?
Hey, put down the gun. What are you thinking? You were someone's son.
The taste of tears, the sting of pain,
The smell of fear, the sounds of crying now.
A long, long time ago I fell to this place from another dimension,
And thrust amongst the beasts and the way they behave borders on dementia.
And now through all these years I can barely take it, I don't think I can make it.
Take me away from here, I want to go home...I'm so sick and tired of
The taste of tears, the sting of pain,
The smell of fear, the sounds of crying.
Now, as you stand around the edge of your life
What do you remember, was it all you wanted ?
I'm trying to earn a set of feathery wings
I wish I could protect you here
Oh please don't cry now, smile
As you stand around the edge of your life
You're troubles are over, mine are just beginning.
I'm trying to earn a set of feathery wings to take me away from here.
It's me you leave behind.
Oh, if only I could have been there, I'd be a hand for the sinking.
If only I could have been there, I'd be a prayer for the dying.
See the pain etched in my face...oh, I'm so sick and tried of
The taste of tears, the sting of pain
The smell of fear, the sounds of crying
Now, as you stand around the edge of your life,
what do you remember, was it all you wanted?
I'm trying to earn a set of feathery wings
I wish I could protect you here
Oh please don't cry now, smile
As you stand around the edge of your life
You're troubles are over, mine are just beginning
I'm trying earn a set of feathery wings to take me away from here
It's me you leave...
You're gone from here,
Don't leave from here,
Don't leave me here,
I hate it here,
You're gone from here,
Don't leave me here,
I need you here,
I need to see you smile.
And you there on the wall, where will you go to once you fall?
You lost at sea, do you need me, do need directions?
Hey, put down the gun. What are you thinking? You were someone's son.
The taste of tears, the sting of pain,
The smell of fear, the sounds of crying now.
A long, long time ago I fell to this place from another dimension,
And thrust amongst the beasts and the way they behave borders on dementia.
And now through all these years I can barely take it, I don't think I can make it.
Take me away from here, I want to go home...I'm so sick and tired of
The taste of tears, the sting of pain,
The smell of fear, the sounds of crying.
Now, as you stand around the edge of your life
What do you remember, was it all you wanted ?
I'm trying to earn a set of feathery wings
I wish I could protect you here
Oh please don't cry now, smile
As you stand around the edge of your life
You're troubles are over, mine are just beginning.
I'm trying to earn a set of feathery wings to take me away from here.
It's me you leave behind.
Oh, if only I could have been there, I'd be a hand for the sinking.
If only I could have been there, I'd be a prayer for the dying.
See the pain etched in my face...oh, I'm so sick and tried of
The taste of tears, the sting of pain
The smell of fear, the sounds of crying
Now, as you stand around the edge of your life,
what do you remember, was it all you wanted?
I'm trying to earn a set of feathery wings
I wish I could protect you here
Oh please don't cry now, smile
As you stand around the edge of your life
You're troubles are over, mine are just beginning
I'm trying earn a set of feathery wings to take me away from here
It's me you leave...
You're gone from here,
Don't leave from here,
Don't leave me here,
I hate it here,
You're gone from here,
Don't leave me here,
I need you here,
I need to see you smile.
Lyrics submitted by faust
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"You lost at sea, Do you need me? Do you need direction?"
Obviously by that line you can tell it isn't suicide. No one can purposely get lost at see. It was an accident, and now it is the Angel of Death's duty to take care of his soul when he passes.
I must agree with everyone else, though, that this is a beautiful song. Most of his other songs have a touch of macabre or humour in them, and this is one of his more serious songs. It's excellent how he has done such a good job on it.