Too Many Birds
Bill Callahan Lyrics


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Too many birds in one tree
Too many birds in one tree
And the sky is full of black and screaming leaves
The sky is full of black and screaming

And one more bird
Then one more bird
And one last bird
And another

One last black bird without a place to land
One last black bird without a place to be
Turns around in hopes to find
The place it last knew rest

Oh black bird, over black rain burn
This is not where you last knew rest
You fly all night to sleep on stone
The heartless rest that in the morn, we'll be gone
You fly all night to sleep on stone
To return to the tree with too many birds
Too many birds
Too many birds

If
If you
If you could
If you could only
If you could only stop
If you could only stop your
If you could only stop your heart
If you could only stop your heart beat
If you could only stop your heart beat for




If you could only stop your heart beat for one heart
If you could only stop your heart beat for one heart beat

Overall Meaning

The song "Too Many Birds" by Bill Callahan begins with the repeated phrase "Too many birds in one tree" and describes a scene in which the sky is full of black and screaming leaves. The imagery of the birds and the sky draws up a sense of chaos as too many birds exist in one tree, causing a feeling of unrest and disorder. The lyrics then focus on one last black bird without a place to land, turning around in hopes to find a place to rest. The bird is seemingly lost and unable to find refuge, wandering alone and left without a place to be.


In the second half of the song, the lyrics take a shift as the phrase "If you could only stop your heart beat" is repeated multiple times. This phrase can be interpreted in multiple ways, but it may suggest a desire to stop the heart from beating, meaning a desire to escape the chaos and unrest in the world. The lyrics seem to connect to the idea of finding rest and peace, something the black bird could not seem to find, and the desire to rid oneself of the desire to seek rest and peace altogether.


Overall, "Too Many Birds" paints a powerful image of chaos and disorder, calling attention to the difficulties in finding rest and peace in the midst of overwhelming situations. The lyrics suggest a desire to escape the chaos and unrest, but it is unclear whether this is something that can truly be achieved.


Line by Line Meaning

Too many birds in one tree
The tree is overcrowded with birds


And the sky is full of black and screaming leaves
The leaves are rustling because of the black birds.


Then one more bird
Another bird comes to the overcrowded tree.


And one last bird, and another
More birds continue to flock to the overcrowded tree.


One last black bird without a place to land
There is no more space for the black bird.


Turns around in hopes to find the place it last knew rest
The bird searches for a place to rest.


Oh black bird, over black rain burn
A sad, poetic way to address the bird.


This is not where you last knew rest
The bird cannot find a place to rest in this overcrowded tree.


You fly all night to sleep on stone
In desperation, the bird settles for a hard, uncomfortable rest.


The heartless rest that in the morn, we'll be gone
The rest is temporary, and the bird will have to search for a new resting place in the morning.


If you could only stop your heart beat for one heart beat
A longing for peace and stillness amid chaos.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BILL CALLAHAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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