Little Red Bird

I think this song has a deep political meaning. It was written not too long after the 2008 Presidential Campaign, when President Obama was criticized by many for his comment that there are people in the country who cling to their bibles and their guns. I think Dave uses guns and gods as a reference to the bibles and guns from the President's comments and the little red birds that are struggling to pick up the crumbs under the table are the same ones who are being fooled by the leaders in certain political movements to cling to the bibles and guns... I think the closing phrase "If God had an honest face, A troubled expression would be watching the human race" describes the puzzled look that someone looking at the political system in America would have when they see Gods and Guns being used to keep the little red birds voting against their own best interests and while keeping them at the bottom chipping away at the crumbs left by the wealthy who are pulling the strings.