Murmuration
from That’s Another Story by Jenny Katz
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Digital Track
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about
Written for a major Kickstarter backer as a custom request, this song is about a "murmuration of starlings"—the word for a massive flock of starlings as they wheel, pulse, and dive through the air.
lyrics
The day I saw the birds began
like any other
I never wondered what I didn't know
I drove to work and I drove home
I turned down Elm, where only oaks grow
mind on my money, stead of being on my soul
and then
surprising
before me rising
a thousand birds that curved and swerved
they twisted and they turned
like the scarf of a gypsy
murmuring the mystery
They were like a dream
they were like a dance
they were an answer without question
tension and release
joy and consolation for every grief
I don't know how they knew
when to turn upon the wing
but i felt my heart be lifted
and all the mothers reach and bend
and all the lovers breach and mend
and the enemy proves to be secretly a friend
The day I saw the birds
I saw everything
I saw a punk kid yawning
nun in tennis shoes
drunkard dreaming underneath the news
baby crying in a shopping line
while mama's trying to stretch another thin dime
we are all one
silhouetted by the sun
I pledge allegiance to the forces
that curve and swerve me
like any other
I never wondered what I didn't know
I drove to work and I drove home
I turned down Elm, where only oaks grow
mind on my money, stead of being on my soul
and then
surprising
before me rising
a thousand birds that curved and swerved
they twisted and they turned
like the scarf of a gypsy
murmuring the mystery
They were like a dream
they were like a dance
they were an answer without question
tension and release
joy and consolation for every grief
I don't know how they knew
when to turn upon the wing
but i felt my heart be lifted
and all the mothers reach and bend
and all the lovers breach and mend
and the enemy proves to be secretly a friend
The day I saw the birds
I saw everything
I saw a punk kid yawning
nun in tennis shoes
drunkard dreaming underneath the news
baby crying in a shopping line
while mama's trying to stretch another thin dime
we are all one
silhouetted by the sun
I pledge allegiance to the forces
that curve and swerve me
credits
from That’s Another Story,
track released November 8, 2012
license
all rights reserved
tags
about
Jenny Katz Northampton, Massachusetts
Whatever happens, there will always be music.
Like interviews? Listen to the
Composer Quest interview (Episode 34, "Physical Songwriting with Jenny Katz" or Tour 4, "Songwriting in New England") at www.charliemccarron.com/composer-quest/#episodes
... more
discography
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Feb 2023 -
Dec 2022 -
Jun 2017 -
Apr 2014 -
Aug 2012 -
Jun 2012