Page France were an indie folk-pop music band. Their m… Read Full Bio ↴(2004 - 2008)
Page France were an indie folk-pop music band. Their music tends to be emotional and their songs tend to have simple melodies. Page France is sometimes compared to Sufjan Stevens for their use of uncommon instruments such as the glockenspiel and banjo.
The band broke up in 2008. Frontman Michael Nau is now focusing his full attention on Cotton Jones.
The band has been characterized by some as Christian due to a number of references in song lyrics and titles. However, lyricist Nau counters: "The 'Christian band' inquiry wears me out, to be honest. As for the Christian symbols in my writing — sometimes I don’t even realize that they exist until someone points them out to me. There’s really no reason; it just rolled out that way."
The band is a frequent feature on a number of music blogs, notably You Ain't No Picasso.
Goodness
Page France Lyrics
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Way before there was sadness
You were just like one of us
You were stuck here among us
You were onetime a killer
An untrustable stealer
An unswayable doubter
So don't be so hard on us
Angel, way before ther was darkness
Way before there was lightness
You were an inbetweener
You were riding your dog fence
You were no more and no less
You were no more and no less
You were just like one of us
So don't be so hard on us
Way before we took your arms
Way before you played the harp
You were so in between
Oh dear little believer
I'm here looking for a leader
Now way before we took your arms
Way before you played the harp
Oh dear little believer
I'm here looking for a leader
Now way before we took your arms
Way before you played the harp
The lyrics to Page France's song "Goodness" are a contemplative reflection on the nature of angels and their relationship to humanity. The song begins by highlighting the angel's existence "way before there was goodness" or "sadness," suggesting that the angel predates these constructs and is therefore something beyond human experience. Despite this higher status, the lyrics reveal that the angel was once "just like one of us," suggesting that they too have a history and perhaps even a fall from grace.
The second verse continues this exploration of the angel's origins, describing them as an "inbetweener" who existed "way before there was darkness" and "way before there was lightness." The angel is portrayed as straddling the realm between light and dark, suggesting that their existence is more complex and nuanced than the binary of good and evil that humans often impose on the world. The repeated refrain of "don't be so hard on us" further emphasizes the idea that humans may not fully understand or appreciate the angel's nature.
The final verse introduces the idea of the angel losing their arms and learning to play the harp, a reference to the biblical tradition of angels as musicians. The singer expresses a desire for the angel to serve as a leader or guide, suggesting a need for direction or inspiration that the angel embodies. Overall, the lyrics of "Goodness" are a poetic meditation on the nature of angels and their relationship to humanity, highlighting the complexity and mystery of these spiritual beings.
Line by Line Meaning
Angel, way before there was goodness
Before the concept of goodness existed, you were already present
Way before there was sadness
Before sorrow and melancholy were felt, you existed
You were just like one of us
You were no different from the rest of us
You were stuck here among us
You were trapped in this mortal coil along with us
You were onetime a killer
At some point, you have taken another's life
An untrustable stealer
You were not a reliable or trustworthy thief
An unswayable doubter
You were someone who couldn't be easily convinced or influenced
So don't be so hard on us
Don't judge us too harshly, considering your past
Angel, way before ther was darkness
Before the concept of darkness existed, you were already present
Way before there was lightness
Before illumination and brightness existed, you were already present
You were an inbetweener
You existed in the space between two extremes
You were riding your dog fence
You were straddling the line between two opposing sides
You were no more and no less
You were neither greater nor lesser than anyone else
Oh dear little believer
Addressing someone who has faith, albeit naively or innocently
I'm here looking for a leader
I am searching for someone to guide and inspire me
Now way before we took your arms
Before we disabled or hindered you in any way
Way before you played the harp
Before you expressed yourself through music
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB.
Written by: Michael Scott Nau Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind