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.
Who shot that arrow in your throat?
Who missed the crimson apple?
It hung heavy on the tree above your head
This chaos, this calamity, this garden once was perfect
Give your immortality to me; I'll set you up against the stars
Gloria,
We lied, we can't go on
This is the time and this is the place to be alive
Who shot that arrow in your throat?
Who missed the crimson apple?
And there is discord in the garden tonight
The sea is wine red
This is the death of beauty
The doves have died
The lovers have lied
I cut the arrow from your neck
Stretched you beneath the tree
Among the roots and baby's breath
I covered us with silver leaves
Gloria,
We lied, we can't go on
This is the time and this is the place to be alive
The sea is wine red
This is the death of beauty
The doves have died
The lovers have lied
The sea is wine red
This is the death of beauty
The doves have died
The lovers have lied
The sea is wine red (Gloria, we lied)
This is the death of beauty (we lied, this is the time and place)
The doves have died (Gloria, we lied)
The lovers have lied (this is the time and place)
Who missed the crimson apple?
It hung heavy on the tree above your head
This chaos, this calamity, this garden once was perfect
Give your immortality to me; I'll set you up against the stars
Gloria,
We lied, we can't go on
This is the time and this is the place to be alive
Who shot that arrow in your throat?
Who missed the crimson apple?
And there is discord in the garden tonight
The sea is wine red
This is the death of beauty
The doves have died
The lovers have lied
I cut the arrow from your neck
Stretched you beneath the tree
Among the roots and baby's breath
I covered us with silver leaves
Gloria,
We lied, we can't go on
This is the time and this is the place to be alive
The sea is wine red
This is the death of beauty
The doves have died
The lovers have lied
The sea is wine red
This is the death of beauty
The doves have died
The lovers have lied
The sea is wine red (Gloria, we lied)
This is the death of beauty (we lied, this is the time and place)
The doves have died (Gloria, we lied)
The lovers have lied (this is the time and place)
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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Yo La Tengo
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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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I agree it has biblical references, but I think the biblical references are as supports for a different meaning not Implying the idea of Adam and Eve, It's using a story most know to convey images of What is happening. tho I feel Its conveying a failed Martyr, the martyr comes from "The sea is wine red" Referencing The last supper (I know Jesus did not fail I am not bashing the bible). the martyr sacrifices his "immortality"("Give your immortality to me") then after the Martyr sacrifices his "Immortality", The second Voice says "Gloria, we lied, we can't go on This is the time and this is the place to be alive". ""Gloria, we lied" This second voice is telling the first voice "Gloria" how they lied to the martyr and cant go on. when ever the first voice speaks (Gloria) she is saying how someone else inflicted pain upon the martyr and how she was the one who helped him. when both of the voices speak together "The sea is wine red This is the death of beauty The doves have died, the lovers have lied" it is penance for the pain the martyr suffers and the act of causing him to be a martyr("The sea is wine red)."This is the death of beauty The doves have died, the lovers have lied" this is the acknowledgment of the how the martyr failed.