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've gone through life white-knuckled in the moments that left me behind
Refusing to heed the yield
I penetrate the force fields in the blind
They say I'll adjust, God knows I must
But I'm not sure how
This natural selection picked me out to be
A dark horse running in a fantasy
(Flesh and bone)
And I'm running out of time (flesh and bone)
Somewhere outside that finish line
I square up and break through the chains
And I hit like a raging bull
Anointed by the blood, I take the reins
Cut from the cloth of a flag that bears the name of "Battle Born"
They'll call me the contender
They'll listen for the bell
With my face flashing crimson from the fires of hell
(What are you afraid of?)
And what are you made of? (Flesh and bone)
And I'm running out of time (flesh and bone)
And what are you made of? (Flesh and bone)
Man, I'm turning on a dime (flesh and bone)
(This could decay)
This could decay like the valley below
Defenses are down
The stakes are high (scouting the crowd for a face of compassion)
The fairytale end (to face off the journey that fathers no more)
The staggering blow (you'll find the truth in the roots of desire)
You lead with your chin (thinkin' with your corners, just a compass and the sun)
This could be real (thinkin' with your corners, just a)
Simple
And what are you made of? (Flesh and bone)
And I'm running out of time (flesh and bone)
What are you made of?
He faces forward, trading in his blindness for the world of love
And time is raging, may it rage in vain
And you always had it, but you never knew
So boots and saddles, get on your feet
There's no surrender, 'cause there's no retreat
The bells are sounding, bring this match to an end
We are the descendants of giant men
Refusing to heed the yield
I penetrate the force fields in the blind
They say I'll adjust, God knows I must
But I'm not sure how
This natural selection picked me out to be
A dark horse running in a fantasy
(Flesh and bone)
And I'm running out of time (flesh and bone)
Somewhere outside that finish line
I square up and break through the chains
And I hit like a raging bull
Anointed by the blood, I take the reins
Cut from the cloth of a flag that bears the name of "Battle Born"
They'll call me the contender
They'll listen for the bell
With my face flashing crimson from the fires of hell
(What are you afraid of?)
And what are you made of? (Flesh and bone)
And I'm running out of time (flesh and bone)
And what are you made of? (Flesh and bone)
Man, I'm turning on a dime (flesh and bone)
(This could decay)
This could decay like the valley below
Defenses are down
The stakes are high (scouting the crowd for a face of compassion)
The fairytale end (to face off the journey that fathers no more)
The staggering blow (you'll find the truth in the roots of desire)
You lead with your chin (thinkin' with your corners, just a compass and the sun)
This could be real (thinkin' with your corners, just a)
Simple
And what are you made of? (Flesh and bone)
And I'm running out of time (flesh and bone)
What are you made of?
He faces forward, trading in his blindness for the world of love
And time is raging, may it rage in vain
And you always had it, but you never knew
So boots and saddles, get on your feet
There's no surrender, 'cause there's no retreat
The bells are sounding, bring this match to an end
We are the descendants of giant men
Lyrics submitted by phoebe9261, edited by Loquacity
Flesh And Bone Lyrics as written by Dave Brent Keuning Brandon Flowers
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I'm not sure what the significance of this is, but I noticed several lines in a row that seem to be tie-ins with Day & Age songs.
"Defences are down / The stakes are high" reminds me of "When your chips are down / When your highs are low" from "Joy Ride" (not that similar, but a bit reminiscent), then "The fairytale end" reminds me of the opening line "Dustland fairytale beginning" from "A Dustland Fairytale", and finally "The staggering blow" reminds me of the titular line of "A Crippling Blow".
The "dustland fairytale" one definitely seems like it must have some purpose, although I'm not sure what it is, since this song seems to me to be a significantly different story to "A Dustland Fairytale" (otherwise I might think that this is meant as the sequel or something). The other possible tie-ins aren't all that similar and might be me reading into it too much, but the fact that they're all right there together suggests to me that it was on purpose, although I don't know for what purpose.