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.
Oh, let the sun beat down upon my face
With stars to fill my dream
I am a traveler of both time and space
To be where I have been
To sit with elders of the gentle race
This world has seldom seen
They talk of days for which they sit and wait
All will be revealed
They talk in song from tongues of lilting grace
The sounds caress my ear
And not a word I heard could I relate
The story was quite clear
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Ooh, baby, I've been blind
Oh yeah, mama, there ain't no denyin'
Oh, ooh yes, I've been blind
Mama, mama, ain't no denyin', no denyin'
Oh, all I see, turns to brown
As the sun burns the ground
And my eyes fill with sand
As I scan this wasted land
Try to find, try to find the way I feel
Oh, pilot of the storm who leaves no trace
Like sorts inside a dream
Leave the path that led me to that place
Yellow desert stream
Like Shangri-La beneath the summer moon
I will return again
As the dust that floats high in June
We're moving through Kashmir
Oh, father of the four winds fill my sails
Cross the sea of years
With no provision, but an open face
Along the straits of fear
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, when I'm on, when I'm on my way, yeah
And my feet wear my fickle way to stay, yeah
Ooh yeah, yeah, ooh yeah, yeah
But I'm down, ooh yeah, yeah, ooh yeah, yeah
But I'm down, so down
Ooh, my baby, ooh, my baby
Let me take you there
Oh, oh, come on, come on
Oh, let me take you there
Let me take you there
With stars to fill my dream
I am a traveler of both time and space
To be where I have been
To sit with elders of the gentle race
This world has seldom seen
They talk of days for which they sit and wait
All will be revealed
They talk in song from tongues of lilting grace
The sounds caress my ear
And not a word I heard could I relate
The story was quite clear
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Ooh, baby, I've been blind
Oh yeah, mama, there ain't no denyin'
Oh, ooh yes, I've been blind
Mama, mama, ain't no denyin', no denyin'
Oh, all I see, turns to brown
As the sun burns the ground
And my eyes fill with sand
As I scan this wasted land
Try to find, try to find the way I feel
Oh, pilot of the storm who leaves no trace
Like sorts inside a dream
Leave the path that led me to that place
Yellow desert stream
Like Shangri-La beneath the summer moon
I will return again
As the dust that floats high in June
We're moving through Kashmir
Oh, father of the four winds fill my sails
Cross the sea of years
With no provision, but an open face
Along the straits of fear
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, when I'm on, when I'm on my way, yeah
And my feet wear my fickle way to stay, yeah
Ooh yeah, yeah, ooh yeah, yeah
But I'm down, ooh yeah, yeah, ooh yeah, yeah
But I'm down, so down
Ooh, my baby, ooh, my baby
Let me take you there
Oh, oh, come on, come on
Oh, let me take you there
Let me take you there
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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,
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
This song may be about elves or Africa, whatever. This song probably captures the sense of wonder better than any other song, ever. This would be a good one to listen to while tripping, with all the otherworldly imagery. And there is also an underlying sense of purpose, ("I will return again"), the feeling that one gets when they've found the right place for them to be.
Very original theme, very original music, and both lyrics and music flow throughout the song like the Saharan sand blasted the score into tablets of stone and dropped them in Jimmy Page's lap. Like they were written by a "Pilot on the storm who leaves no trace, like thoughts inside a dream."