I think the meaning behind this, as already stated is about a teenage girl with two alcoholic parents: "Your mother is drinking again" / "Your father had drunk all the fuel". I think the girl is young because she still relies on her parents but is forced into adulthood to be strong for her sisters: "March your sisters like soldiers to school". The line "steady with wintry calm" is about remaining calm but cold, almost like she's isolated from everyone including her parents. "Somewhere inside the fire in your youth went dark" is a reference to her innocence and childhood which was taken from her - by forcing her into adult duties when she should have been able to be a child. Next, the line "You swear blind there is no weight in the water pail" shows that she does not admit how her life is a burden upon her, she doesn't show how difficult it is. Then, in reference to the line "Somewhere inside the fire in your youth went dark", she says "You take the cards that you're dealt... If it's dark outside, you light the fire yourself" - you have to do things for yourself to light up your world. I think it's to show that her youth may have been taken from her and it had been darkened, but she can light up the fire inside.
Then, the tone changes and it's a lot more hopeful. Her lover/friend tells her that he'll be on his way and tells her to meet him: "meet me at the railway line". He tells her not to "cower in your bed" and not to "look so scared" - be brave, face your fears. The line "We've been through worse than this before we could talk" shows the extent of what they've both been through and they can help each other and that there's hope for a brighter future. "The trick of it is, don't be afraid any more" - have faith. You could also take this the other way in that they would end their lives together, but I definitely think this is not the case. It's hopeful and looking like they could help each other for the future.
This is just my opinion and you might disagree! Amazing band.
I think the meaning behind this, as already stated is about a teenage girl with two alcoholic parents: "Your mother is drinking again" / "Your father had drunk all the fuel". I think the girl is young because she still relies on her parents but is forced into adulthood to be strong for her sisters: "March your sisters like soldiers to school". The line "steady with wintry calm" is about remaining calm but cold, almost like she's isolated from everyone including her parents. "Somewhere inside the fire in your youth went dark" is a reference to her innocence and childhood which was taken from her - by forcing her into adult duties when she should have been able to be a child. Next, the line "You swear blind there is no weight in the water pail" shows that she does not admit how her life is a burden upon her, she doesn't show how difficult it is. Then, in reference to the line "Somewhere inside the fire in your youth went dark", she says "You take the cards that you're dealt... If it's dark outside, you light the fire yourself" - you have to do things for yourself to light up your world. I think it's to show that her youth may have been taken from her and it had been darkened, but she can light up the fire inside.
Then, the tone changes and it's a lot more hopeful. Her lover/friend tells her that he'll be on his way and tells her to meet him: "meet me at the railway line". He tells her not to "cower in your bed" and not to "look so scared" - be brave, face your fears. The line "We've been through worse than this before we could talk" shows the extent of what they've both been through and they can help each other and that there's hope for a brighter future. "The trick of it is, don't be afraid any more" - have faith. You could also take this the other way in that they would end their lives together, but I definitely think this is not the case. It's hopeful and looking like they could help each other for the future.
This is just my opinion and you might disagree! Amazing band.