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'd rather be a sparrow than a snail
Yes, I would
If I could
I surely would
Mmm-hmm
I'd rather be a hammer than a nail
Yes, I would
If I only could
I surely would
Mmm-hmm
Away, I'd rather sail away
Like a swan that's here and gone
A man gets tied up to the ground
He gives the world its saddest sound
Its saddest sound
Mmm-hmm
I'd rather be a forest than a street
Yes, I would
If I could, I surely would
I'd rather feel the earth beneath my feet
Yes, I would
If I only could, I surely would
Yes, I would
If I could
I surely would
Mmm-hmm
I'd rather be a hammer than a nail
Yes, I would
If I only could
I surely would
Mmm-hmm
Away, I'd rather sail away
Like a swan that's here and gone
A man gets tied up to the ground
He gives the world its saddest sound
Its saddest sound
Mmm-hmm
I'd rather be a forest than a street
Yes, I would
If I could, I surely would
I'd rather feel the earth beneath my feet
Yes, I would
If I only could, I surely would
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings, edited by sokorny
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Nice translation! ;) Simple but spot-on, I think.