From the recording Grace
Josie was inspired by a couple I saw at the bus station. They were parting ways but were clearly conflicted about it and waiting for the other to act or say something. Is this bye for now or bye for good? Without saying much, they parted, and I never know what happened later, but it was hard to watch him stand there after the bus left, clearly overwhelmed by a combination of shock and sadness. All for want of a word or two. The scene stayed with me, made me think of the fragility of love and the agony of missed opportunities. There’s a religious undertone, comparing the descent from grace to the freefall of romantic disillusionment. That feeling of being in sync, of mutual understanding and unwavering commitment - that's the state of grace. But when that connection shatters, it's a plummet into uncertainty and emotional turmoil.
Lyrics
Josie
Josie locked eyes on me, like we’re the only two souls waiting
Drags from her cigarette, and kicks it ‘cross the floor
Looks at her watch, looking for peace in a small distraction
Turns up her coat to fight the cold,
Unable to find words
Chorus
And doesn’t make a difference
But I knew we'd end up like this
One long awkward silence
And this nonstop fall from grace
Bus door wheezes open, lets a few last souls escape
I brush the hair away so I can study the lines on her face
Asks me what I'm feeling, I said I don’t even know
‘Cos the words that come, I stumble on
Ain’t nothing really left to say
Chorus
And I feel, Oh Lord
Just like I'm falling
I’m hitting everything
On the way down
And it's dark, and it’s cold
And I'm still waiting
Waiting to finally hit the ground
Josie puts her hand to the window, left a small print on the glass
Driver closed the door, and I took a small step back
Turn my collar up against the wind, nothing left to say
There's no mercy where I'm standing here
No mercy for me today