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.
No this is not my guitar
I'm bringing it to a friend
And no I don't sing
I'm only humming along
Up here in the air
I'm just mumbling at the clouds
Wanting to be known
While I pass the lonely hours
I came down from the room
I saw you in the rain
Laughing with some people
Hair dripping down your face
Your calm hypnotic eyes
Your Scandinavian glow
I felt them like a flame
Candle in my cold bones
Tonight you were my muse
As I belted and I strummed
Trying not to drown
In the helicopter drone
Alesund
From the crowd I heard
You sing a pretty line
Was it there so much longer
That I wanna cry
I thought about it long
Had you repeated in my ear
"I couldn't place a thought
without you being so close"
Alesund
Should've played it then
From the intro to the end
When they offered me the stage
At the bar we landed in
But I turned and walked
Away from all the fun
And back into the black
Seaside night of Alesund
Alesund
I'm bringing it to a friend
And no I don't sing
I'm only humming along
Up here in the air
I'm just mumbling at the clouds
Wanting to be known
While I pass the lonely hours
I came down from the room
I saw you in the rain
Laughing with some people
Hair dripping down your face
Your calm hypnotic eyes
Your Scandinavian glow
I felt them like a flame
Candle in my cold bones
Tonight you were my muse
As I belted and I strummed
Trying not to drown
In the helicopter drone
Alesund
From the crowd I heard
You sing a pretty line
Was it there so much longer
That I wanna cry
I thought about it long
Had you repeated in my ear
"I couldn't place a thought
without you being so close"
Alesund
Should've played it then
From the intro to the end
When they offered me the stage
At the bar we landed in
But I turned and walked
Away from all the fun
And back into the black
Seaside night of Alesund
Alesund
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I love the guitar in this song. Such a beatiful rift. As soon as I get my acoustic guitar, this is the first song I am going to learn. Thank you Mark Kozelek. This song has helped me in life more than any single person will ever realize.
beautiful song !
I thought about it long Had you REPEAT IT in my ear
rather than
I thought about it long Had you repeated in my ear
Got a kick out of the opening lines. I read an interview with him where he talks about touring, and while he's in the airport, people always ask him if he plays guitar or if he's a musician to break the ice and chat with him. He just says "No, I'm bringing it to a friend" so he doesn't have to talk to them.
@kangace here caldoverderecords.com/interview.htm
@kangace here caldoverderecords.com/interview.htm
heard this song on a Sons of Anarchy episode. amazing song. and my mom told me the song is about Ã…lesund, where i live. Mark Kozelek played at a musicfestival outside the city, and wrote the song after falling in love with my city =)
Should've played it then From the intro to the end
what class lines.I almost cried when JAX let his kid go and pain on his face simultaneously resounding of word ALESUND...This song is lovely
My thoughts. its about a lady he saw in Alesund. He was given a chance to be with her, but didnt take it. Regret follows.
From the crowd I heard You sing a pretty line Was it there so much longer That I wanna cry
As it is written here is actually:
From the crowd I heard - you sing a pretty line. Was it: "there's so much love - that I wanna cry".
Just FYI. (Taken from the vinyl sleeve of the LP).
I adore this song.
I always sing "I couldn't place it though, but loved you being so close.
My favorite part of the song. Remembering the feeling of someone you love being close, or hoping for the feeling in the future--what better reason to keep going?
Lyrics corrections along with my interpretation...
No this is not my guitar. I'm bringing it to a friend(he has what it takes to make "music," meaning love, but he can't do it alone). And no I don't sing. I'm only humming along(he knows the words to love, but 'hums' because its only him; the 'song' is only in his head) Up here in the air. I'm just mumbling at the clouds(high, thinking) .Wanting to be known(he wishes he knew how to tell her) While I pass the lonely hours. I came down from the moon. I saw you "in the rain"(rain-bad weather;hard times). Laughing with some people. Hair dripping down your face(faking laughter, to deal with immediate surroundings). Your calm hypnotic eyes. Their Scandinavian glow. I felt them like a flame. Kindling my cold bones(he felt a connection) .Tonight you were my muse. As I belted and I strummed(she gives him the incentive to try and make "music") Trying not to drown. In the helicopter drone(ignoring hovering issues) Alesund(x2) .From the crowd I heard. You "sing" a pretty line(despite the distractions; focused on her). Was it: "there's so much love - that I wanna cry"? (He knows she feels something too). I thought about it long. Had you repeat it in my ear. I couldn't place a though(not sure). But loved you being so close. I should've played it then. From the intro to the end. When they offered me "the stage"(he missed the perfect chance ). At "the bar" we landed in. But I turned and walked . Away from all "the fun"(not confident). And back into the black(the shadows;the sideline-unknown ). Seaside night. of Alesund :-/
@Jaydasongwhisperer I hope you have edited the lyrics above too, so that they reflect the correct lyrics. Everyone helping out a bit will improve the site.
@Jaydasongwhisperer <br /> I thought about it long<br /> Had you repeat it in my ear<br /> I couldn't place a thought (He has envisioned this 'moment' and what he would say, but it's not going as he had planned and he doesn't know what to say)