Every hair on your head is counted
You are worth hundreds of sparrows
The tree you planted has become fecund
With kamikaze hummingbirds

Wings of hundreds of beats per second
Of people whose wings are just a blur
Afraid our eyes might become impaled
By their sharp and tiny beaks

I'm so sorry
My spirit's rarely in my body
It wanders through the dry country
Looking for a good place to rest
Your head upon my chest
And I can feel the pillow of your breast

You are worth hundreds of sparrows


Lyrics submitted by twitty

Hundreds of Sparrows Lyrics as written by Mark Linkous

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Hundreds of Sparrows song meanings
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12 Comments

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  • +5
    General Comment

    interesting

    Luke 12:6-7 NIV "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."

    girlintheyellowcoaton June 04, 2009   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    i ran across a bible verse today (not the obvious one) and immediately thought of this song. given the other seemingly biblical influences in this amazing song, it seems pretty likely to me that Mark had run across the same verse. Let me know what you think.

    compare:

    "I'm so sorry my spirit's rarely in my body it wanders through the dry country looking for a good place to rest"

    with

    "When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none." (Matthew 12:43 KJV)

    fredwardjaydavieson March 22, 2011   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    It is such a beautiful, really precious song. Talks about how a person's beloved actually worth like The Bible says, Hundreds of Sparrows...

    Also mingles this feeling with that nostalgic sadness Mark used to have... His soul wandering through the dry country, in another beautiful biblical analogy.

    And the image that Mark loves, because it is only used in many of his songs, "Your head upon my chest. And I can feel the pillow of your breast" That's a universal love cuddle gesture, always present in Mark's head.

    I actually cried, his separation from his wife would have been a real hell to him. Rest in peace and rest in heaven beautiful soul. Thanks for your lovely inspiring music, You are a true Angel now.

    HectorAlonso28on May 25, 2022   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i love this song. its simple and beautiful. it reminds me of these verses in the bible that talk about how in gods eyes you are worth hundreds of sparrows. just a beatiful song.

    sevenatenineon April 29, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    one of the best love songs ever penned, and mostly because you believe what he is saying. so nakedly honest and sadly touching, especially that little crescendo of violin before the last verse...

    Reminds me of someone who was "worth hundreds of sparrows" :(

    ripelivejamon May 01, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i love this song!! to me it's like a guy reminding a girl he loves that she is worth more than she thinks she is, even though she gets treated like she's worthless.

    pandora_ash_avalieon April 24, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i love this song!! to me it's like a guy reminding a girl he loves that she is worth more than she thinks she is, even though she gets treated like she's worthless.

    pandora_ash_avalieon April 24, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    "You are worth hundreds of sparrows." In my opinion, there's no sweeter compliment. This song just creates the feeling that a really good relationship would spawn -- a feeling of contentment, unconditional care... a feeling of safety.

    It also makes me sad.

    When I (someday) find my soul mate... he's going to have to tell me I'm worth hundreds of sparrows.

    porcupinegloveson February 21, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Even though I'm not religious, I still like the concept.

    xmakesherflyxon February 27, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I can't believe he's gone :(

    l3naon March 09, 2010   Link

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