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'm Henry the eighth, I am
Henry the eighth, I am, I am
I got married to the widow next door
She's been married seven times before
And every one was an Henry (Henry)
She wouldn't have a Willy or a Sam (no Sam)
I'm her eighth old man, I'm Henry
Henry the eighth, I am
Second verse, same as the first
I'm Henry the eighth, I am
Henry the eighth, I am, I am
I got married to the widow next door
She's been married seven times before
And every one was an Henry (Henry)
She wouldn't have a Willy or a Sam (no Sam)
I'm her eighth old man, I'm Henry
Henry the eighth, I am
I'm Henry the eighth, I am
Henry the eighth, I am, I am
I got married to the widow next door
She's been married seven times before
And every one was an Henry (Henry)
She wouldn't have a Willy or a Sam (no Sam)
I'm her eighth old man, I'm Henry
Henry the eighth, I am
H-E-N-R-Y
Henry (Henry) Henry (Henry)
Henry the eighth, I am, I am
Henry the eighth, I am, yeah
Henry the eighth, I am, I am
I got married to the widow next door
She's been married seven times before
And every one was an Henry (Henry)
She wouldn't have a Willy or a Sam (no Sam)
I'm her eighth old man, I'm Henry
Henry the eighth, I am
Second verse, same as the first
I'm Henry the eighth, I am
Henry the eighth, I am, I am
I got married to the widow next door
She's been married seven times before
And every one was an Henry (Henry)
She wouldn't have a Willy or a Sam (no Sam)
I'm her eighth old man, I'm Henry
Henry the eighth, I am
I'm Henry the eighth, I am
Henry the eighth, I am, I am
I got married to the widow next door
She's been married seven times before
And every one was an Henry (Henry)
She wouldn't have a Willy or a Sam (no Sam)
I'm her eighth old man, I'm Henry
Henry the eighth, I am
H-E-N-R-Y
Henry (Henry) Henry (Henry)
Henry the eighth, I am, I am
Henry the eighth, I am, yeah
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I don't find the song disturbing, I find it comical. I believe it is intended as a parody, primarily on marriages and failing relationships.
I find it ironic that the singer claims to be Henry VIII simply because he is the 8th husband of the widow next door, not because he is Henry the king of an 8th generation. I'm not fully versed on the English history, though a simple Google search informed me that Henry VIII had trouble getting an heir to the throne because none of his sons and daughters would have kids, though Edward did take the throne at early age. Thus comes the idea of "failure." In the song, the woman had 7 Henrys of failed marriages, no William or Sam, so the singer is destined to be the 8th failure, similar to King Henry the 8th struggling to get an heir.
The fact that the singer sings this as a nursery rhyme brings to light it's comedic heritage, considering how such a lovely tune ironically symbolizes the failure of marriage. Although he seems happily married to the widow next door, the allusion to the king emphasizes this upcoming failure.