Crippled Crow
Barbra Streisand & Kris Kristofferson Lyrics
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Sing it for a dime
Bring them all the pain you carried down the line
Your music's flyin' post their ears
Goin' through your troubles for the herd to follow
The out of tune ravings of the crippled crow
Movin' down the ladder slow
Where your friends on knee will help you
Is just a ticket to get you in
Beggar standin' on the corner dry your eye
You're tiring now
The tears you're tastin' now are only salty time
Your music's lasted through the year
Goin' through your troubles for the herd to follow
The out of tune ravings of rhe crippled crow
Movin' down the ladder slow
Where your friends on knee will help you
And the crown of thorns you're wearing
Is just a ticket to get you in
The out of tune ravings of the crippled crow
Moving down the ladder slow
Where your friends on knee will help you
The out of tune ravings of the crippled crow
Moving down the ladder slow
Where your friends on knee will help you
The song "Crippled Crow" by Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson describes the life of a begging musician who stands on the corner, playing his music for a dime. The beggar is metaphorically referred to as the "crippled crow," who brings all the pains he has carried down the line to his music, which is heard by people passing by.
The lyrics describe how the beggar's music "flies past their ears" and affects the herd to follow. Despite the out of tune ravings of the crippled crow, his music moves down the ladder slowly, where his friends on knee will help him. The cup of tin he carries, which is just a ticket to get him in, signifies how he has nothing materialistic other than his music.
Later in the song, the beggar is told to dry his eyes and is reminded that he is tiring now. The tears he is tasting now are only salty time, indicating that time is running out for him. Despite this, his music has lasted through the years, going through his troubles for the herd to follow. The crown of thorns he wears, which is just a ticket to get him in, represents how he has sacrificed everything to create and deliver his music to the world.
Overall, the song "Crippled Crow" portrays an image of a struggling musician who has nothing other than his music to offer to the world. The lyrics show that his music is not technically perfect but speaks of the agony he has gone through in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Beggar standin' on the corner sing your song
An impoverished person on the street, sing your heartache out loud
Sing it for a dime
Even though you're in need, sing for a small reward
Bring them all the pain you carried down the line
Sing to share your struggles with others
Your music's flyin' post their ears
Your music is able to reach people and impact them
Goin' through your troubles for the herd to follow
You're expressing your difficulties for others to relate to and follow
The out of tune ravings of the crippled crow
Your music may not be perfect or polished, but it's honest and raw
Movin' down the ladder slow
You're slowly making progress and climbing out of your difficult situation
Where your friends on knee will help you
In the end, you have people who support you and will lift you up
And the cup o' tin you carry is just a ticket to get you in
The things you bring with you are simply a way to enter and be heard
Beggar standin' on the corner dry your eye
As time passes, you may find some relief and comfort
You're tiring now
Your struggles are taking a toll on you
The tears you're tastin' now are only salty time
Your pain is becoming repetitive and overwhelming
Your music's lasted through the year
Your music has stood the test of time and still resonates
And the crown of thorns you're wearing is just a ticket to get you in
Even though you may experience suffering, it can ultimately open doors for you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DONNA T WEISS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind