White Winter Hymnal
Birdy - Lyrics
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I was following the
I was following the
I was following the
I was following the pack
All swallowed in their coats
With scarves of red tied 'round their throats
To keep their little heads
And I turned 'round and there you go
And Michael, you would fall
And turn the white snow red as strawberries
In the summertime
I was following the pack
All swallowed in their coats
With scarves of red tied 'round their throats
To keep their little heads
From falling in the snow
And I turned 'round and there you go
And Michael, you would fall
And turn the white snow red as strawberries
In the summertime
I was following the pack
All swallowed in their coats
With scarves of red tied 'round their throats
To keep their little heads
From falling in the snow
And I turned 'round and there you go
And Michael, you would fall
And turn the white snow red as strawberries
In summertime
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
The lyrics to Birdy's song "White Winter Hymnal" paint a picture of a group of people trudging through the snow, bundled up in coats and scarves of red. They are following a path, like a herd of animals, and the singer is following right behind them. The repetition of "I was following the pack" emphasizes this sense of conformity and herd mentality. The imagery of the scarves tied 'round their throats is particularly striking, as it suggests a certain danger or risk involved in braving the cold winter weather. The line "To keep their little heads / From falling in the snow" portrays the fragility of life and how just a small fall could have serious consequences.
Then, the song takes an unexpected turn with the introduction of Michael. He falls in the snow, and as a result, turns the white snow red "as strawberries in the summertime." This line evokes a sense of contrast and nostalgia - the bright, sweet fruit of summer is juxtaposed against the cold, bleak winter landscape. It also suggests a kind of violence, or at least a drastic change, that Michael has induced. The repetition of this section throughout the song creates a sense of rhythmic unity and continuity, even as the lyrics depict different scenes and moments.
Taken as a whole, "White Winter Hymnal" can be seen as a commentary on tradition, conformity, and the beauty that can arise from unexpected disruptions. The image of the red scarves firmly tied around the pack's necks is a symbol of the way people cling to familiar routines and customs, even when they may not be completely comfortable or safe. Michael's fall and the ensuing red snow disrupts this sense of stability, but also creates something new and beautiful. The song thus suggests that while it can be difficult to break free from the pack and chart one's own path, doing so can lead to unexpected and rewarding outcomes.
Line by Line Meaning
I was following the
I was blindly following the crowd without question or reason
pack
group of individuals who are all dressed similarly
All swallowed in their coats
everyone was bundled up and protected from the cold
With scarves of red tied 'round their throats
everyone was bundled up with warm red scarves
To keep their little heads
the red scarves were tied tightly around their throats with the intent of keeping warm
From falling in the snow
to protect themselves from the snow, their heads stay upward
And I turned 'round and there you go
I turned around and there you were
And Michael, you would fall
you would fall on the snow
And turn the white snow red as strawberries
you left a red mark on the snow as if it were like strawberries
In the summertime
turning the winter snow into a summer scene with the red strawberries.
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
musical interlude
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
repeats the musical interlude
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Robin Noel Pecknold
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@anjaudovicic
I was following the pack
All swallowed in their coats
With scarves of red tied 'round their throats
To keep their little heads
From fallin' in the snow
And I turned 'round and there you go
And, Michael, you would fall
And turn the white snow
Red as strawberries in the summertime
@Thecookielove22
This song will never get out of your head.
@shadia5322
This hahahah
@ayanmaharramli1692
Definitely
@christinash2235
It's what's called a round in choral singing and she does it beyond justice vs. Fleet Foxes. A round is supposed to make you feel like you can sing it for an hour. But Birdys version is genius in its haunting. It's with few pop peers.
@melissaestrada4885
Yap
@juliemusikka155
@Shadia Thank God for that
@tatianeleite4081
God, i just love all the versions of this song!! The original, this one, the Pentatonix one! Damn, i just love this song...
@nikijasminee
Uuuh... This is the original one
@tatianeleite4081
+Nikita Jasmine No, honey, the original one is by Fleet Foxes. You should check it out.:)
@luluquintero1390
+Tatiane L. Me too :)