Winter Birds

Favorite Lyric: The clouds crackle and growl Like some great cat on the prowl Crying out "I Am, I Am" over and over again.

Such a beautiful song. It's clearly about a widow coping with the death of her husband by seeing a new man, and Ray is singing from the perspective of that new man.

I love the imagery in this song. love r lamontagne

Actually, the song seems to be less about a relationship and more about coping with the changes that time brings with it. I mean, almost every stanza has something that transforms with the seasons and the whole point of the chorus I think, is to say that you should love every moment of the changes.

I swear... sometimes I think I was born in the wrong generation. It's as if my soul relates more to the late 60's & 70's flower child- hippie instead of the bumble gum-pop child of these days. In actuality I grew up in the late 80's. But somehow... I'll grab for a Dylan Album, Van Morrison, Neil Young, Cat Stevens, Beatles, Stones, etc. Why... because these artist produce music of substance. And considering I am a deep, passionate, creative young woman- I can appreciate all of their contributions.

When Ray first came on to the scene... I knew instantly- I found home.

Winter Birds- is breathtaking.

This beautiful song is visceral as well as melodic. It happens to be an unsung hero for LaMontagne. It also happens to be one of my favorite songs. As we all know music speaks to everyone in different ways. And we should not fault someone for their interpretation. As long as they got something out of it..because music- scratch that- good music...forget that,- Brilliant Music should be about an experience that effects us to the very core of our beings.If you felt something...chances are- your soul connected to your heart and mind.

When I listen to this song you i experience an evolution of sorts- an experience if you will. I truly believe that the song represents seasons, changes, evolving... As he mentions his love in this song- I also think that, just as the seasons change- so can love. This can be very sad- However, as we grow older, just when we think love is lost- it too can be found again in the same person...just in a different form- in a deeper form. One that can only be with time and the different experiences we go through in life. Over time- love becomes much more meaningful because of the memories and the storms that have been weathered-so to speak.

Most beautiful song... I have found in a very long time. My soul wants to cry.

"And though all these things will change, The memories will remain As green to gold, and gold to brown The leaves will fall to feed the ground And in their falling, make no sound

Oh my lady, Lady I am loving you now"

I love this song so much. I live in a long cabin on the edge of a rural town, with woods behind my house, and this song just describes winter here so perfectly, in the context of a love that thrives through the change of seasons.

btw, I think line #13 should actually read: "A many-petaled kiss I place upon her brow."

A woman lost her husband and so far, has not opened up to this new man who wants to be in her life. She needs help as her farm is failing and has a field that has not been plowed. She has a crippled cow and a leaning fence, but this has a 2nd meaning. The fence could signify her keeping him out. The new guy is hanging around like a fox under the kitchen floor. He is like a cat on the prowl crying out “I am, I am” essentially here for you. He is the sprightly chickadee who is hanging around the tree. Gone is the willow wren-her late husband. She is the tree. However, she is still grieving her deceased husband. The stream cannot contain withering rain- her tears. The kettle sings its tortured song - she is crying. He is explaining she will not need to forget about her husband as the memories will remain. He is explaining that loss is a part of life and nature. The leaves turn from green, to gold then brown could mean the grieving process before feeding the ground, which is acceptance. The trees lose their leaves, but new leaves come along, while the trees make no sound and it is best to adopt this way of nature of being open to the new, after losing the old. Being sad is normal but after finishing the natural grieving process, she should open to him. He has gathered his money to buy her a gown and bring her to the county fair to cheer her up. A yellow flower signifies affection and cheering someone up.

[Edit: Clarification ]

I think it's about enjoying nature. Yes maybe there is a deeper meaning - but read the words. This is the simple life at its best! Ray actually lives in a farm house in Maine with his wife and kids, maybe he was writing this down as they sat in their warm house during winter. Maybe he heard the birds as snow started to melt and the stream tried to contain the melting snow.

I want that kind of life; an old cow and mule, a house that provides a nice hiding place for a fox and the amazing sound of birds greeting each other.

Anyway - amazing song, totally goes well with a fireplace and snow outside.

The widow is a bird in the winter of her life. She is remembering her beautiful past where she was blessed with true love. She awaits her last breath, reuniting with her husband, her eternal partner and the only bird whose songs can bring her bliss...

I don't understand this song at all, but I find it to be so beautiful and soothing to listen to.