Discography:
1999 - The Burial Plot Bidding War (EP)
2001 - Last Night In Town
2003 - Hot Damn!
2005 - Gutter Phenomenon
2007 - The Big Dirty
2009 - New Junk Aesthetic
2012 - Ex Lives
2014 - From Parts Unknown
2016 - Low Teens
2021 - Radical
Final Lineup
Keith Buckley: Vocals
Jordan Buckley: Guitar
Andy Williams: Guitar
Stephen Miccichie: Bass
Clayton “Goose” Holyoak: Drums
Cities And Years
Every Time I Die Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tune your voices to minor chords
This is the lowest we've ever been until we bend for the offering
We're giving a knee jerk response to the awe
We come strapped to the bed, on display from the duty of tour
They picked up the signals we tapped to the visitors
Our sea legs were lost on the march from the graves to the cross
Sing the rats through the gate
I was still in one piece when they tied me to the back of the car
But I met the road and I've slept with thousands of miles since the day I was born
Our shoes are milled to the sole and our souls are skin and bones
If I'm a stranger still just move the severed pieces around
So course is the world
We're going back and forth and back and forth grinding our bodies into dust
We'll never make it home alive
We'll never make it home alive
We'll never make it home alive
Play with the bow at the bridge
All girls buy the enemy line
All girls buy the enemy line
Woe, such remarkable woe
Hold sight of him
Hold sight of him
Point him out
I was still in one piece when they tied me to the back of the car
But I met with the road and I've slept with thousands of miles since the day I was born
Our shoes are milled to the sole and our souls are skin and bones
If I'm a stranger still just move the severed pieces around
So course is the world
We're going back and forth and back and forth grinding our bodies into dust
War, come with us home
The lyrics to Every Time I Die's "Cities And Years" are dark and cryptic, portraying a sense of hopelessness and despair. The opening lines, "Play with the bow at the bridge / Tune your voices to minor chords," set the tone for the rest of the song, indicating that something melancholic and somber is about to occur. The next line, "This is the lowest we've ever been until we bend for the offering," suggests that the singer and his companions are in a dire situation and are willing to do anything for a chance at salvation.
The following lines depict the singer and his friends as performers, being exhibited to crowds of people. "We come strapped to the bed, on display from the duty of tour / They picked up the signals we tapped to the visitors" imply that they are being exploited for financial gain, and that they have lost their sense of autonomy. The following line, "Our sea legs were lost on the march from the graves to the cross / We brandish the plague of the middleman's heart," suggests that there has been a loss of spirit and purpose, that they are acting merely as instruments for others' benefit.
The repeated refrain, "We'll never make it home alive," further reinforces this sense of hopelessness and despair, suggesting that the singer and his friends are trapped in an endless cycle of torment and exploitation. The final lines, "War, come with us home," highlight the futility of their efforts and the inescapability of their circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Play with the bow at the bridge
Experiment with the bow at a different spot on the violin string
Tune your voices to minor chords
Sing in a melancholy way
This is the lowest we've ever been until we bend for the offering
We're at our lowest point and are willing to make a sacrifice to improve our situation
We're giving a knee jerk response to the awe
We're reacting impulsively to an impressive or fearful situation
We come strapped to the bed, on display from the duty of tour
We're exhausted from touring and are like patients strapped to hospital beds
They picked up the signals we tapped to the visitors
The visitors noticed our distress signals
Our sea legs were lost on the march from the graves to the cross
We lost our balance during a difficult journey
We brandish the plague of the middleman's heart
We're troubled by the corrupt behavior of intermediaries
Sing the rats through the gate
Entice unwanted people to leave through the gate
I was still in one piece when they tied me to the back of the car
I was physically unharmed when they restrained me
But I met the road and I've slept with thousands of miles since the day I was born
I've traveled extensively and am tired
Our shoes are milled to the sole and our souls are skin and bones
Our shoes and spirits have been worn down
If I'm a stranger still just move the severed pieces around
If I'm still an outsider, just rearrange the disconnected parts
So course is the world
The world is rough and unpredictable
We're going back and forth and back and forth grinding our bodies into dust
We're working hard and wearing ourselves out
We'll never make it home alive
We feel hopeless about returning home safely
All girls buy the enemy line
All women succumb to the enemy's lies
Woe, such remarkable woe
We're feeling intense sadness
Hold sight of him
Keep him in your view
Point him out
Indicate his location
War, come with us home
Let's bring the effects of war home
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dinobrain
Lyrics
Play with the bow at the bridge.
Tune your voices to minor chords.
This is the lowest we've ever been until we bend for the offering.
We're giving a knee jerk response to the awe.
We come strapped to the bed, on display from the duty of tour.
They picked up the signals we tapped to the visitors
And our sea legs were lost on the march from the graves to the cross.
We brandish the plague of the middleman's heart.
Sing the rats through the gate.
I was still in one piece when they tied me to the back of the car.
But I met the road and I've slept with thousands of miles since the day I was born.
Our shoes are milled to the sole and our souls are skin and bones.
If I'm a stranger still just move the severed pieces around.
So coarse is the world.
We're going back and forth and back and forth grinding our bodies into dust.
We'll never make it home alive.
Play with the bow at the bridge.
All girls buy the enemy line.
Woe! Such remarkable woe.
Hold sight of him. Point him out.
I was still in one piece when they tied me to the back of the car
But I met the road and I've slept with thousands of miles since the day I was born.
Our shoes are milled to the sole and our souls are skin and bones.
If I'm a stranger still just move the severed pieces around.
So coarse is the world.
We're going back and forth and back and forth grinding our bodies into dust.
War! Come with us home.
Cosmo K
Play with the bow at the bridge.
Tune your voices to minor chords.
This is the lowest we've ever been until we bend for the offering.
We're giving a knee jerk response to the awe.
We come strapped to the bed, on display from the duty of tour.
They picked up the signals we tapped to the visitors
And our sea legs were lost on the march from the graves to the cross.
We brandish the plague of the middleman's heart.
Sing the rats through the gate.
I was still in one piece when they tied me to the back of the car.
but I met the road and I've slept with thousands of miles since the day I was born.
Our shoes are milled to the sole and our souls are skin and bones.
If I'm a stranger still just move the severed pieces around.
So coarse is the world.
We're going back and forth and back and forth grinding our bodies into dust.
We'll never make it home alive.
Play with the bow at the bridge.
All girls buy the enemy line.
Woe! Such remarkable woe.
Hold sight of him. Point him out.
I was still in one piece when they tied me to the back of the car
but I met the road and I've slept with thousands of miles since the day I was born.
Our shoes are milled to the sole and our souls are skin and bones.
If I'm a stranger still just move the severed pieces around.
So coarse is the world.
We're going back and forth and back and forth grinding our bodies into dust.
War! Come with us home
Dinobrain
Lyrics
Play with the bow at the bridge.
Tune your voices to minor chords.
This is the lowest we've ever been until we bend for the offering.
We're giving a knee jerk response to the awe.
We come strapped to the bed, on display from the duty of tour.
They picked up the signals we tapped to the visitors
And our sea legs were lost on the march from the graves to the cross.
We brandish the plague of the middleman's heart.
Sing the rats through the gate.
I was still in one piece when they tied me to the back of the car.
But I met the road and I've slept with thousands of miles since the day I was born.
Our shoes are milled to the sole and our souls are skin and bones.
If I'm a stranger still just move the severed pieces around.
So coarse is the world.
We're going back and forth and back and forth grinding our bodies into dust.
We'll never make it home alive.
Play with the bow at the bridge.
All girls buy the enemy line.
Woe! Such remarkable woe.
Hold sight of him. Point him out.
I was still in one piece when they tied me to the back of the car
But I met the road and I've slept with thousands of miles since the day I was born.
Our shoes are milled to the sole and our souls are skin and bones.
If I'm a stranger still just move the severed pieces around.
So coarse is the world.
We're going back and forth and back and forth grinding our bodies into dust.
War! Come with us home.
Cosmo K
Play with the bow at the bridge.
Tune your voices to minor chords.
This is the lowest we've ever been until we bend for the offering.
We're giving a knee jerk response to the awe.
We come strapped to the bed, on display from the duty of tour.
They picked up the signals we tapped to the visitors
And our sea legs were lost on the march from the graves to the cross.
We brandish the plague of the middleman's heart.
Sing the rats through the gate.
I was still in one piece when they tied me to the back of the car.
but I met the road and I've slept with thousands of miles since the day I was born.
Our shoes are milled to the sole and our souls are skin and bones.
If I'm a stranger still just move the severed pieces around.
So coarse is the world.
We're going back and forth and back and forth grinding our bodies into dust.
We'll never make it home alive.
Play with the bow at the bridge.
All girls buy the enemy line.
Woe! Such remarkable woe.
Hold sight of him. Point him out.
I was still in one piece when they tied me to the back of the car
but I met the road and I've slept with thousands of miles since the day I was born.
Our shoes are milled to the sole and our souls are skin and bones.
If I'm a stranger still just move the severed pieces around.
So coarse is the world.
We're going back and forth and back and forth grinding our bodies into dust.
War! Come with us home
Cardinal Visions
this one of the hardest break downs of all time and it's only in fucking drop D
Buddy Shaw
still my favorite ETID song. so brutal.
Cedric Hutchins
Best ETID song by far.
Ayuu Nagisa
every time I die are enlightened beings, seriously. they know whats up
Mark Andersen
This is a catchy little ditty, a real toe-tapper.
Fergus Crowley
my horse loves this song
TheSeveredTongues
this made me laugh so hard idk why
Peste Noire is nightcore for nazis change my mind
WAAAAAAR COME WITH US HOOOOOME
Hardest breakdown ever