They call holidays an option for a reason
I heard you're comin' back to life just for the fourth
I've been catchin' all your ghosts for every season
I pray to God that you won't come back here anymore
Do you pray with him too?

They should deliver all my blessings
In small brown paper handbags near the porch
I wished I'd known that you were bleeding
While I sat and watched you reading with the Lord
I read with him, too

When you look at me
I'll be digesting your legs
'Cause I can hardly see what's in front of me
These days and those days too

I've got to take what I'm makin'
And turn it into somethin'
I've got to take what I'm makin'
And turn it into somethin' for you

I've got to break what I'm makin'
And turn it into nothin'
I've got to break what I'm making
And turn it into nothin' for you

When you look at me
I'll be digesting your legs
'Cause I can hardly see, what's in front of me
These days and those days too

God, where have you been?
God, where have you been?
God, where have you been?
God, where have you been?

God, oh God, where have you been?
God, my God, my God
Where have you been?
God, where have you been?
God, God, where have you been?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Manchester Orchestra's song "Where Have You Been?" display a mix of emotions that are expressed in a rather poignant, if not somewhat abstract way. The opening lines, "They call holidays an option for a reason, I heard you're comin' back to life just for the fourth," give the impression that the singer has lost someone close to them, and is struggling to come to terms with the idea that holidays and special occasions may not hold the same meaning as they once did. The juxtaposition of the Fourth of July with the idea of "comin' back to life" might suggest that the person they have lost is a soldier or has been away fighting a war.

The haunting line "Do you pray with him too?" adds to the mystery of the situation - is the singer talking to a ghost, or someone who is lost but may still be alive? The lyrics then move to a longing for connection, specifically for the small things that are often overlooked but can hold so much meaning. The singer wishes for "small brown paper handbags near the porch" where they could find blessings, and regrets not understanding the weight of the situations faced by the person they lost when they were still alive.

The latter half of the song becomes more introspective, as the singer considers the role they play in the loss they have suffered in their life. They acknowledge that they need to turn what they're making into something meaningful for the person they've lost, but also recognize the need to let go and break the cycle. The repetition of "God, where have you been?" adds to the sense of despair and longing for help during difficult situations.

Line by Line Meaning

They call holidays an option for a reason
Holidays are considered as a choice, it's up to you if you want to celebrate or not

I heard you're comin' back to life just for the fourth
I heard you'll be returning to life on the fourth of July and only then

I've been catchin' all your ghosts for every season
I've been holding onto all of your memories every season

I pray to God that you won't come back here anymore
I hope you never come back to this place again

Do you pray with him too?
Do you also pray with God?

They should deliver all my blessings
My blessings should be delivered to me

In small brown paper handbags near the porch
In small brown paper bags left near the porch

I wished I'd known that you were bleeding
I wish I had known that you were hurting

While I sat and watched you reading with the Lord
While I sat and watched you read with God

I read with him, too
I also read with God

When you look at me
When you gaze upon me