Falling From Above
Neil Young & Crazy Horse Lyrics

Grandpa said to cousin Jed Sittin' on the porch, "I won't retire But I might retread."
Grandpa is telling cousin Jed that he does not want to retire, but he might retread in order to pursue a different career path.

"Seem like that guy singin' this song Been doing it for a long time. Is there anything he knows That he ain't said?"
The singer wonders if the artist singing the song has any hidden knowledge or insights that he has not yet shared.

Sing a song for Freedom. Sing a song for Love. Sing a song for depressed angels Falling from above.
The singer encourages singing songs that celebrate freedom and love, including songs that offer solace to those who feel depressed or alone.

Grandpa held the paper Pretending he could see. But he couldn't read Without his glasses on.
Grandpa is pretending to be able to read the paper, but he cannot see the words without his glasses.

"How can all those people Afford so many things? When I was young people wore What they had on."
Grandpa wonders how people these days are able to afford so many new things when, when he was young, people wore only what they had.

Mamma said, "A little love and affection In everything you do Will make the world a better place With or without you."
The singer recalls advice their mother gave them, which is to infuse love and care into everything you do, as this can help make the world a better place with or without your physical presence.

Slamming down a late night shot, The Hero and the artist compared Goals and visions and afterthoughts For the twenty first century.
The Hero and artist discuss their goals, visions, and ideas for the future of the 21st century over drinks.

But mostly came up with nothing, So the truth was never learned. And the human race just Kept rollin' on.
The Hero and artist come up with little to no useful ideas, and as a result the truth of the situation is never learned, and humanity just keeps moving forward without significant progress.

Rollin' through the fighting, Rollin' through the religious wars, Rollin' down the temple walls And the churches' exposed sores.
Humanity continues to roll through times of conflict and religious turmoil, witnessing destruction of temples and churches alike.

"Grandpa here's your glasses, You'll see much better now," Said that young girl Of Edith and Earl's.
A young girl offers Grandpa his glasses so he can see better.

But Grandpa just kept starin' He was lost in some distant thought Then he turned and he said To that young girl...
Grandpa seems lost in thought after receiving his glasses, then he turns to the young girl and delivers some advice passed down from a parent.

"A little love and affection In everything you do, Will make the world a better place With or without you. With or without you."
Grandpa imparts the same advice given to him by his loved ones earlier - to spread love and care throughout all aspects of one's life, as this can make a significant impact on the world, even after you are gone.

Hear that rooster crowin' Down on the Double E. It's a new morning Dawning on the green.
The sound of a rooster crowing signals the arrival of a new morning at the Double E, evoking a sense of freshness or renewal.

Bouncing off the towers, The sun's heading down to the streets. The business meeting Window shades are drawn.
The sun is setting and reflecting off the tall buildings, while inside, the drawn window shades of a business meeting suggest a sense of privacy, exclusivity or closure.

Another morning edition Is headed for the porch, Because Grandma puts down the paper Before Grandpa raises his fork.
Grandma puts down the morning paper near the porch so it can be read, realizing that Grandpa cannot eat without his glasses which he is using to read the paper.

"A little love and affection In everything you do, With or without you... Hear the rooster crowing Down on the Double E..."
The repeated phrase from earlier - that the world can be made a better place with just a bit of love and care in daily actions - is reinforced once more as the sound of the rooster underscores this hopeful sentiment.