Barbra Streisand (born Barbara Joan Streisand; April 24, 1942 Brooklyn, Ne… Read Full Bio ↴Barbra Streisand (born Barbara Joan Streisand; April 24, 1942 Brooklyn, New York), is an Academy Award-winning American singer, theater and film actress, composer, film producer, and director. She has won Oscars for Best Actress and Best Original Song as well as multiple Emmy Awards, Grammy Awards, Golden Globe Awards and an honorary Tony Award. She received the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor on December 7, 2008. She is the most successful female recording artist according to the Recording Industry Assoc. of America (RIAA).

Barbra Streisand has recorded more than 60 albums, almost all with Columbia Records. Her early works in the 1960s (her debut The Barbra Streisand Album which won two Grammy Awards in 1963, followed by The Second Barbra Streisand Album, The Third Album, My Name Is Barbra, etc.) are considered classic renditions of theater and nightclub standards, including her version of Happy Days Are Here Again. Beginning with My Name Is Barbra, her albums were often medley-filled keepsakes of her television specials.

Starting in 1969, Streisand tackled contemporary songwriters; like many talented singers of the day, she found herself a fish out of water in attempts to tackle rock, but her vocal talents prevailed and she gained newfound success with the pop and ballad-oriented Richard Perry-produced album Stoney End in 1971. The title track, written by Laura Nyro, was a big hit for Streisand.

Streisand's 1980 album, Guilty featured the songwriting, production and vocal talents of Barry Gibb and was the best-selling album of her recording career. During the 1970s, she was also highly prominent in the pop charts, with number-one records like The Way We Were, Evergreen, No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) (her duet with Donna Summer), and Woman In Love; some of these came from soundtracks of her films. She recently took part in supporting Haiti in singing "We are the World 25th anniversary.

When the 1970s ended, Streisand was named the most successful female singer in the U.S. - only Elvis Presley and The Beatles having sold more albums. [1]

[1] In 1982, New York Times music critic Stephen Holden wrote that Streisand was "the most influential mainstream American pop singer since Frank Sinatra."

Crippled Crow
Barbra Streisand Lyrics

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Beggar standing on the corner sing your song
Sing it for a dime
Bring them all the pain you've carried down the line
Your music's flying past their ears
Glowing through your troubles for the hurt to follow
The out of tune ravings of the crippled crow
Moving down the ladder slow
We're your friends hon and we will help you

And the cup of tin you carry is just a ticket to get you in

Beggar standing on the corner dry your eyes
Your time is nigh
The tears you're tasting now are only salty times
Your music's lasted through the years
Glowing through your troubles for the hurt to follow
The out of tune ravings of the crippled crow
Moving down the ladder slow
We're your friends hon will help you
And the crown of thorns you're wearing is just your ticket to get in

The out of tune ravings of the crippled crow
Moving down the ladder slow

We're your friends hon and we will help you
The out of tune ravings of the crippled crow

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Crippled Crow" by Barbra Streisand tell the story of a beggar standing on a corner, singing for a dime. The song speaks to the pain and suffering that the beggar carries and how their music serves as a way for them to cope with their struggles. The song suggests that the music that the beggar creates is powerful and reaches past the ears of those who listen to it, embodying the beggar's life struggles and the hurt that has followed.

The lyric "moving down the ladder slow" could be interpreted as the beggar's slow but sure progression through life, and how they are slowly making their way towards their ultimate destination, despite the struggles that they face. The song also suggests that the beggar's friends are there to help them, and that the "cup of tin" and "crown of thorns" that the beggar carries are merely symbols that will enable them to move forward.

Overall, the lyrics of "Crippled Crow" are a moving tribute to the human condition, speaking to the struggles that we all face and the importance of finding ways to cope with them.

Line by Line Meaning

Beggar standing on the corner sing your song
Sing your heart out on the street for everyone passing by

Sing it for a dime
You may only get paid so little for your talents

Bring them all the pain you've carried down the line
Share with others the heavy burden you have had to bear until now

Your music's flying past their ears
The people may not really pay attention to your music

Glowing through your troubles for the hurt to follow
Your music is able to shine despite your personal issues

The out of tune ravings of the crippled crow
Despite imperfections and limitations, your song is still important and meaningful

Moving down the ladder slow
You may have difficulty moving up in life, but you're still making progress

We're your friends hon and we will help you
There are caring people in this world who want to support you

And the cup of tin you carry is just a ticket to get you in
The tin cup you hold can serve as a way to enter into others' hearts and make a connection

Beggar standing on the corner dry your eyes
Don't give up hope even in the midst of difficult circumstances

Your time is nigh
A better tomorrow is in sight

The tears you're tasting now are only salty times
The hardships you're facing now are only temporary

The crown of thorns you're wearing is just your ticket to get in
The pain and suffering you've faced can help you gain a deeper understanding of life and others' struggles

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Donna Weiss

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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