Music Monday- Music vs. Lyrics

I'm a lyrics girl. I don't know if there is a great debate between the two camps and obviously both are important to the song, but for me it is the lyrics of a song I connect with, so it always surprises me when I suddenly realize I have no idea what the song I am singing along with is about.

This happened on my way to work this morning. I had a mellow playlist going (because I am in a mellow part of my writing), and I am singing along to the Avett Brothers song, I and Love and You. I absolutely love this song, have since the first time I heard it. It squeezes my heart and makes me feel a little sad, though I can honestly say I don't know why. Is Brooklyn a person or a New York borough? What exactly is happening in it?

Don't get me wrong there are good lines that make sense to me, You’re dreams that catch the world the cage/The highway sets the travelers stage/ All exits look the same.I think I get that, but as for what the overall song is about, I haven't a clue. Nevertheless, I love the song and will continue to sing along to it as loud as I can in my car because I can and no one can stop me.

For those interested here are the lyrics, all theories of meaning are welcome.

Load the car and write the note.
Grab your bag and grab your coat.
Tell the ones that need to know.
We are headed north.
One foot in and one foot back.
But it don’t pay to live like that.
So I cut the ties and I jumped the track.
For never to return.
Ahh Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in.
Are you aware the shape I’m in?
My hands they shake, my head it spins.
Ahh Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in.
When at first I learned to speak.
I used all my words to fight.
With him and her and you and me.
Ahh, but it's just a waste of time.
Yeah it’s such a waste of time.
That woman she’s got eyes that shine.
Like a pair of stolen polished dimes.
She asked to dance I said it’s fine.
I’ll see you in the morning time.
Ahh Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in.
Are you aware the shape I’m in?
My hands they shake, my head it spins.
Ahh Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in.
Three words that became hard to say.
I and Love and You.
What you were then I am today.
Look at the things I do.
Ahh Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in.
Are you aware the shape I’m in?
My hands they shake, my head it spins.
Ahh Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in.
Ahh Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in.
Are you aware the shape I’m in?
My hands they shake, my head it spins.
Ahh Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in.
Dumbed down and numbed by time and age.
You’re dreams that catch the world the cage.
The highway sets the travelers stage.
All exits look the same.
Three words that became hard to say.
I and Love and You.
I and Love and You.
I and Love and You.