I think the first part is a friend explaining to his other friend how deep their ties of friendship go - he could "roll him to hell" and ruin him or "swim from your heavens" - be elated with him, and take care of each other "drive you so safe"/"walk you to here". Extremes that show how significant the relationship is.
Floating in tears and crying in laughters is similarly showing how close they are that they can laugh about anything for no special reason - "not for some sake" - even in humble surroundings without distractions "and the city's not near".
I think "going back" is literally leaving from the two of them being there together and sharing such close bonds of friendship - literally, physically departing, because it breaks what is so special between them.
The next verse is hoping that despite leaving, the friend remembers the experiences they've had together - "screams from the forest" being laughter, "ghosts in the trees" memories and the "love of a dog" the simple, true loyalty to each other they have had. "Let us float in the tears, let us cry from the laughters, when it's not for some sake and the city's not near" is hoping that despite not being there together, they still remember.
"You said, "Driver, please, don't go that fucking way" You said, "Just let it go away" You said, "Just let it go"" - it seems to me that they've fallen out which has caused the friend to leave, or that the singer is returning him back ("you're going back") but the friend doesn't want to go.
"But you dry me to tears like I cry from your laughters When it's not for some sake And the city's still dear" is the singer missing his friend and remembering what he asked his friend to remember.
I think the first part is a friend explaining to his other friend how deep their ties of friendship go - he could "roll him to hell" and ruin him or "swim from your heavens" - be elated with him, and take care of each other "drive you so safe"/"walk you to here". Extremes that show how significant the relationship is.
Floating in tears and crying in laughters is similarly showing how close they are that they can laugh about anything for no special reason - "not for some sake" - even in humble surroundings without distractions "and the city's not near".
I think "going back" is literally leaving from the two of them being there together and sharing such close bonds of friendship - literally, physically departing, because it breaks what is so special between them.
The next verse is hoping that despite leaving, the friend remembers the experiences they've had together - "screams from the forest" being laughter, "ghosts in the trees" memories and the "love of a dog" the simple, true loyalty to each other they have had. "Let us float in the tears, let us cry from the laughters, when it's not for some sake and the city's not near" is hoping that despite not being there together, they still remember.
"You said, "Driver, please, don't go that fucking way" You said, "Just let it go away" You said, "Just let it go"" - it seems to me that they've fallen out which has caused the friend to leave, or that the singer is returning him back ("you're going back") but the friend doesn't want to go.
"But you dry me to tears like I cry from your laughters When it's not for some sake And the city's still dear" is the singer missing his friend and remembering what he asked his friend to remember.
I love this song.