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 want to walk
Into the light
Day has turned cold
So hold back the night
What will become
Of you and I
We had a dream
Don't let it die
(chorus below)
Do you want to be
Want to be
My dying day
My darkest hour
My overdose
Cuz that's what you'll be
Just hold back the night
There was a time
I'm sure you'll agree
We saw it all
A glorious sight
Everyone's burned
Everything's gone
What we once were
Now we are not
So hold back the night
(chorus)
Into the light
Day has turned cold
So hold back the night
What will become
Of you and I
We had a dream
Don't let it die
(chorus below)
Do you want to be
Want to be
My dying day
My darkest hour
My overdose
Cuz that's what you'll be
Just hold back the night
There was a time
I'm sure you'll agree
We saw it all
A glorious sight
Everyone's burned
Everything's gone
What we once were
Now we are not
So hold back the night
(chorus)
Lyrics submitted by lay entwined, edited by Greg64801
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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this song's mountain peak is: "Do you want to be
My dying day My darkest hour My overdose Cuz that's what you'll be Just hold back the night "
nice view.
Yeah, she wants a nices, lighter life, instead of all these heavy, black feelings and intentions. But she can't reach that alone, she needs someone else to hold all this black things from her, so that she will be able just take the light, sunny things and enjoy it. And not have to worry about her 'night' because the other person is holding the night from her. And the other person, that can't be just anyone. Someone who really loves her, who is willing and able to hold her very dark night.
'Do you want to be these things, do you want to do that for me? But in fact, that doesn't really matter, 'cause if you want to be with me, if you want to love me, you don't have a choice, you WILL be my black night which I 'll put on you so I can be relieved for once and also enjoying nice and simple, positive things.
The last verse I actually don't understand very well.
I read it like she was saying she would die without the one she loves, that their break up would be the end of her.
Or that troubles in their relationship were killing her.
Sorry if this brings something trite or inappropriate into it, but when I hear this I can't help thinking of the events of 11 September 2001. The lyrics express it in such a powerful way that it can't be ignored. "What we were then/Now we are not" Though I doubt that Sinead herself would approve of this interpretation :P
By the way, the lyrics I quoted are what is actually sung on the album.