In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
You came with the season, as the first swallow sang
A brown headed stranger, with a five-letter name
We planted our kisses where the wild berries grow my feet sprouted wings and I flew all the way home doo doo doo
My cheeks red like fire engines racing straight to the heat of your skin and I know our days are numbered, early bird of the summer you'll fly south just as the fall begins
The leaves changed their colors and the schoolyards were filled
My coat with the patches barely keeps out the chill dooo
You sent me a postcard from a town out of state, I wish it were warmer and I hope you're the same
Doop doo doo
The fields where we wandered were golden
Now only muddy my boots and I know I should recover, you're a bird of the summer, I was wrong to Try and capture you
Flight
Flight
Gone is the pale hand of winter
Here is the first flush of may
And soon I will discover whether birds of the summer fly in circles or just fly away
A brown headed stranger, with a five-letter name
We planted our kisses where the wild berries grow my feet sprouted wings and I flew all the way home doo doo doo
My cheeks red like fire engines racing straight to the heat of your skin and I know our days are numbered, early bird of the summer you'll fly south just as the fall begins
The leaves changed their colors and the schoolyards were filled
My coat with the patches barely keeps out the chill dooo
You sent me a postcard from a town out of state, I wish it were warmer and I hope you're the same
Doop doo doo
The fields where we wandered were golden
Now only muddy my boots and I know I should recover, you're a bird of the summer, I was wrong to Try and capture you
Flight
Flight
Gone is the pale hand of winter
Here is the first flush of may
And soon I will discover whether birds of the summer fly in circles or just fly away
Lyrics submitted by dustybreeze
Bird of the Summer Lyrics as written by Alison Loren Sudol Alison Sudol
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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Great version of a great song,
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I think the obvious metaphor is the summer fling, but I think this can also reply to a relationship that was "real", could have lasted a while but was doomed from the start. She had a relationship with this person who she loved, it obviously didn't last, so she found someone who "won't fly away". This new person is loyal to her, but doesn't elicit the same feelings as the the first person did. The last part is a bit ambiguous to me, it sounds like maybe she is waiting to see if he will come back to her, and she might leave the current man to go back to him.
apply* not reply. Where is my brain
Ah summer love
I think this is the best song of the new album.
I agree.
Such a beautiful song.
this is my favorite song on the cd.
So beautiful. Summer romance is wonderful, yet heartbreaking.
what is the brown headed bird, with a five letter name, that she's singing about?
i can't think of what birds fly south for the winter that fit that description. haha kind of nerdy question i guess.
I think "A brown headed stranger, with a five-letter name" refers to the guy she was in love with for the summer rather than a bird.
Geese.
i'm sorry but i died laughing from reading this. it is pretty obvious she is using the bird as a metaphor for a guy she has a summer fling with.