Lyrics

Veery

I know these pathways like the back of my hand
I walk them almost every day
There’s someone out there who is waiting for me
If I sit very patiently

Out in these woods surrounding Flat Rock Brook
Where Scarlet Tanagers show off
A reddish thrush is skulking under some trees
Where I’m expecting us to meet

Flat Rock Brook, Flat Rock Brook

Veery
Come listen to me, let me talk to you
I know that you are only passing through
So for just a week or two, it’s me and you

I’ll take the red trail to McFadden’s Pond
Phoebes will nest under the bridge
But summer’s bounty is still springtime’s dream
Of wildflowers and honeybees

Veery
Come listen to me, let me talk to you
I know that you are only passing through
So for just a week or two, it’s me and you

So many spots are marked by memories of birds
But one is dearest to my heart
It’s where that thrush would hop right up to my feet
As words would carry in the breeze

Flat Rock Brook, Flat Rock Brook

Veery
Come listen to me, let me talk to you
I know that you are only passing through
So for just a week or two, it’s me and you
So for just a week or two, it’s me and you
So for just a week or two, it’s me and you

Northern Mockingbird

I repeat myself
Maybe that’s because you never listen
I repeat myself
Maybe that’s because you never listen

I am only tryin’ to warn ya
But my voice is lost upon ya
And the sound of the church bells always enthralls ya

And no, no, please don’t think that I am crazy
And no, no, please don’t think that I am mad
And no, no, please don’t think that I am crazy
Don’t think I’m mad, don’t think I’m mad

Because I’m not
Because I’m not
Because I’m not
I’m not

I repeat myself
I want you to hear me
I repeat myself
I want you to hear me

I am only tryin’ to warn ya
But my voice is lost upon ya
And the sound of the church bells always enthralls ya

And no, no, please don’t think that I am crazy
And no, no, please don’t think that I am mad
And no, no, please don’t think that I am crazy
Don’t think I’m mad, don’t think I’m mad

Because I’m not
Because I’m not
Because I’m not
I’m not

And no, no, please don’t think that I am crazy
And no, no, please don’t think that I am mad
And no, no, please don’t think that I am crazy
Don’t think I’m mad, don’t think I’m mad

Because I’m not
Because I’m not
Because I’m not
Because I’m not

Black-throated Blue Warbler

The moon was full, the leaves were dry
As late September sailed on by
And Mother Nature took a bow again
The flowers died, the fall crept in
The pumpkins stared with crooked grins
The mountain colors glowed magnificent

Black-throated Blue, it’s time for you
To make another journey—start anew
The cycle’s never-ending
And there is no time to wonder why
There is no other way to choose

The stars came out, December cried
As January crystallized
And Father Time became a child again
The galaxy, the universe
The darkness looming like a curse
The snow became a blanket heaven sent

Black-throated Blue, it’s time for you
To settle where your winter home’s in bloom
The cycle’s never-ending
And there is no time to wonder why
There is no other way to choose

The heavy air, an August noon
November couldn’t come too soon
The Devil smiled and clapped his hands again
The nest was bare, the babies gone
The father sang a sadder song
The waning summer failed to spare expense

Black-throated Blue, it’s time for you
To make another journey—start anew
The cycle’s never-ending
And there is no time to wonder why
There is no other way to choose

Northern Lapwing

Have you heard?
The birds are back again
But I don’t know when
They’ll fly away

Have you seen
The green and purple feathers?
I don’t know whether or not
They’ll stay all day

I’m heading down to New Egypt
Where farmers wonder why
So many people have appeared
On muddy roads that are never clear

Have you heard?
The birds are back again
But I don’t know when
They’ll fly away

Every person on this highway
Drives by unaware
Of three birds that flew so far
Yet, magically, here they are

Blackbirds descend
With views that cameras crave
These images will not be saved
Not be saved
So in your mind’s eye
You have to remember

You have seen
Those green and purple feathers
And you wondered whether or not
They’d stay all day

Have you heard?
Have you heard?
There are birds

Blue Jay

Blue Jay you made my day
And you didn’t even try
But if you wonder why
It’s because of all the beauty that I see
When you’re in front of me

New day to wash away
The gray and rainy skies
The forest is alive
I’m sitting under green majestic trees
And having daydreams

Warm breeze stirs dragonflies
Bright feathers catch my eye
Blue, black, and white
I’m walking alone
You follow me home
You follow me home and call to me

Jay
Jay
Jay

Blue Jay you made my day
Because when our worlds collide
You take it all in stride
It’s just another part of your routine
‘Cause you remember me

Warm breeze lifts butterflies
Bright feathers catch my eye
Blue, black, and white
I’m walking alone
You follow me home
You follow me home and call to me

Jay
Jay
Jay

House Sparrow

This is the story of a girl named Emily
A girl named Emily, a girl named Emily
Some people might not even think twice
About a girl that I named Emily

You were small, you were so small
You were on the lawn, you were almost gone
There was life, there was a little life
So we found some shade in the addition we made, and

This is the story of a girl named Emily
A girl named Emily, a girl named Emily
Some people might not even think twice
About a girl that I named Emily

You were weak, you were so weak
But food and water made you stronger
You had spunk, you had a lot of spunk
You watched my eyes as I sat by your side, singing

This is the story of a girl named Emily
A girl named Emily, a girl named Emily
Some people might not even think twice
About a girl that I named Emily

Two hours later, you were as good as new
We brought you to the open window
Where we thought you’d fly right through
Whoever said “bird brain” never knew you
You looked back at us to say “thank you”
And then you flew
(We’ll never forget you)

This is the story of a girl named Emily
A girl named Emily, a girl named Emily
Some people might not even think twice
About a House Sparrow I named Emily
This is only one day in the life
Of a House Sparrow I named Emily

Common Loon

Aroostook stretches for miles around
My mother and father have never left town
The bullets, the border, the well, the water
My grandfather’s buried right next to his plow

I’m working these kids and my hands to the bone
You’d almost think Jesus was comin’ home
Tie the tourniquet tighter, ’cause I’m still a fighter
I’m just throwing my punches when I’m alone

And the Loon’s cries
Echo on the water
And the Loon’s cries
Echo

My baby will marry the love of her life
She’s been a great daughter, she’ll be a good wife
When she disappears, nothing’s keeping me here
Oh Caribou, you’re cold in the long, dark night

And the Loon’s cries
Echo on the water
And the Loon’s cries
Echo

He’s coming to get me, I’m giving you warning
His voice was unsteady, but so reassuring
The bat by the bed, or a gun to the head
Either way, I’ll be gone come the morning

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet why ya look so scared?
That eye, that eye, that eye, that eye
Wouldn’t it be so nice not to care?
Not I, not I, not I

If you could see a brighter day
If you could see past Golden-crowns flying your way
If you could see a brighter day
If you could lift that weight

Ruby-crowned Kinglet why ya look surprised?
That eye, that eye, that eye, that eye
Wouldn’t it be so nice to see the sky?
Not I, not I, not I

In a world of great big things
You’re even smaller than you think
But just remember you’ve got wings
You’ve got wings, wings, wings

If you could see a brighter day
If you could see past Golden-crowns flying your way
If you could see a brighter day
If you could lift that weight

Ruby-crowned Kinglet why ya look so scared?
That eye, that eye, that eye, that eye
Wouldn’t it be so nice not to care?
Not I, not I, not I
Not I, not I, not I
Not I, not I, not I

Bald Eagle

Soaring…soaring

I’m here, I’ve appeared
No memory of where I’ve been
Don’t know where I’m going to
But I am soaring

All that I hear is the rush of the wind
All that I feel is the speed from within
And joy

I’m soaring…soaring

All that I hear are the feathers in flight
Turning my head, I can see black and white
Drenched in bright sunlight

I’m soaring…soaring

I’m so high, I can see Major Tom
How do I know all of these things that I do?
I know all of these things because I am an eagle too

Violet-crowned Hummingbird

Violet-crowned Hummingbird
Spread your wings and fly
Violet-crowned Hummingbird
A strong will to survive
It’s been a long, long, long, long road
For you and I

It takes a lot of wind from your sails
Just to live within this world and prevail
One day you’re down
And the next day you’re down again
When, oh when, will you feel better?
Then the nighttime comes and there is no need to pretend

Violet-crowned Hummingbird
Pathway through the sky
Violet-crowned Hummingbird
At feeder number 5
Waiting for the day
When you can thrive

When the sun begins to shine
It’s another chance to rise or resign
One hour you’re up
And the next hour you’re down again
When, oh when, will you feel better?
Then the nighttime comes and there is no need to pretend

Find food, find shelter
Find peace of mind in this helter-skelter
Oh, darling bird, don’t be scared
You can count on me ’cause I’ll be there
I’ll be there
I’ll be there

Yellow-headed Blackbird

I remember my favorite toy when I was three years old
I remember the first time that I saw the stars through a telescope
I remember where I stood when I heard the King had died
And I remember the very first bird that I could identify

And I remember when I saw you
And I remember thinking
Could it be true?

Yellow-headed Blackbird, how you stand out in a crowd
There’s no shadow of a doubt
When you sing your song out loud
Yellow-headed Blackbird, you’re an easy bird to miss
And you were my nemesis
But now you’re mine

And I remember when I saw you
And I remember thinking
Could it be true?

Yellow-headed Blackbird, how you stand out in a crowd
There’s no shadow of a doubt
When you sing your song out loud
Yellow-headed Blackbird, you’re an easy bird to miss
And you were my nemesis
But now you’re mine
Yellow-headed Blackbird, with your head of golden blond
Well I saw you in a pond
And now you’re mine

Could this be true?
This could be you
Believe it’s true
Believe in you
Imagine it’s true
Dreams can come true

Migration Is Over

Cape May Warblers dance in your dreams
Wilson’s, Prairie, Tennessee
I’ll meet you there in Central Park
6 o’clock sharp

We’ll begin in Strawberry Fields
With the songs of warblers filling our ears
Let’s go listen—what’s around?
Not a sound

Maybe they’ve flown down into The Ramble
Starting up here is always a gamble
I might have heard Parula again
But let’s discuss its pronunciation

We’re gonna find that one good bird in the park
If it kills us or not
We’re gonna find that one good bird in the park
If it kills us or not

On a day when it seems that your prospects are narrow
Make sure that you add your day-list House Sparrow
You’re listening hard for Bobolink pinkers
But all that you hear are skulking tea drinkers

We’ll find that one good bird in the park
If it kills us or not
We’re gonna find that one good bird in the park
It’s gonna kill us

What’s that constant knocking sound?
It’s just a cuckoo walking around
And it doesn’t have feathers

When there are more birders than there are birds
It’s May 29th or haven’t you heard?
When the Blackpoll Warblers have departed
And migration’s over before it even started

If you were from the United Kingdom
You would spot that Robin and be happy to see him
But this isn’t a day where we’re all feeling groovy
This isn’t the Central Park bird watching movie

It’s one of those days at 10 a.m.
When you want to start it all over again
Because summer’s almost here