Contemplating the redwing blackbird that has become a visitor to my backyard, I was reminded of the Beatles’ “Blackbird”,
which was one of the highlights of their iconic White Album in 1968. Technically, it’s a song, but I’m making the
lyrics my entry for Day 2 of National Poetry Month.
Paul McCartney has said he wrote “Blackbird” in
Scotland, and that it refers to racial tensions in America that year. This
makes it perfectly appropriate for our country 50 years on, sadly.
“Blackbird”
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were ony waiting for this moment to arise
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to be
free
Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
There are lots of recordings of “Blackbird”,
including many by McCartney. But I’ve always thought his voice strains too much
on it. So here’s a recording by Corinne Bailey Rae and Herbie Hancock. It’s a
White House tribute to McCartney, held in 2010.
(Remember those days, when folks gathered to celebrate
the arts in the People’s House; when every event didn’t have to shine the
spotlight on the same, bloated narcissist, with everyone present desperately
trying to hold onto their sinecure by heaping praise on the pathetic,
inadequate git? Ah, good times.)
McCartney came out for that event, of course.
You can see his “Hey,
Jude” here, if you like. Picture that experience in the White House today.
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