Sparrow Lyrics
Who's traveled far and cries for rest?
"Not I," said the Oak Tree,
"I won't share my branches with
no sparrow's nest,
And my blanket of leaves won't warm
her cold breast."
And who will speak a kindly word?
"Not I," said the Swan,
"The entire idea is utterly absurd,
I'd be laughed at and scorned if the
other Swans heard."
And who will feed a starving sparrow?
"Not I," said the Golden Wheat,
"I would if I could but I cannot I know,
I need all my grain to prosper and grow."
Will no one write her eulogy?
"I will," said the Earth,
"For all I've created returns unto me,
From dust were ye made and dust ye shall be."
according to Art Garfunkel, the plants and animals are metaphors (as well as personifications, obviously). The oak tree represents greed; the swan represents vanity; and the golden wheat represents hypocrisy.
To me, it's about life and death. Life is full of cruelty and selfishness, but death is gentle and caring. When no one else will be there to take care of you, when no one else will love you, the earth will softly take you back in her arms and never turn away from your suffering.
This song to me is a take on the story The Ugly Duckling. I think it is a beautiful song and I cherish it and many others of S&G's.
I really love this song... to me its about rejection in a foreign place, where everyone is prejudiced against a person for who he is or what he looks like
I love this song, probably my fav of theirs
Its about edith piaf - she died when the song was written. piaf means little sparrow and this is her eulogy
Whoever it is about, it's clearly about standing up and helping other people, and what happens when no one does.
I agree with Chameleon3 and the earth is like family always there for you
I agree with epka. I have watched a movie about her life and the lyrics fit perfectly
v. simple and beautiful...It definitely is a take on peoples' greed..and...self centeredness...neglecting everything else...