What Kind of Bird Is That
Bobby Bare Lyrics


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What kind of bird is that
The one with the bright red breast
I know it just can't be the robin
'Cause my love is not back yet

The one I love and wanted to marry
Had to leave before she became my bride
But she said she'd return
Before the robin would return

And with each other we'd spend our lives
And she said she'd return
Long before the robin returned

And together we'd watch the leaves turn green
She showed me then just how much she loves me
And she and I and the robin can spend the spring

So what kind of bird is that
The one with the bright red breast
I know it just can't be the robin
'Cause my love is not back yet

So who could be playin' tricks on me
By the time that I relax and countin' leaves
That can't be a spring, yeah surely that can't be
'Cause the one I love, she's not with me

Oh, what kind of bird is that
The one with the bright red breast




I know it just can't be the robin
'Cause my love is not back yet

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Bobby Bare's song "What Kind of Bird Is That" speak to the people's need to find meaning and hope in even the most unexpected places. The song centers around a man's curiosity about a particular bird he sees, which he initially mistakes for a robin. However, he realizes that it couldn't possibly be a robin because his love, who promised to return to him, has not come back yet. The implication is that the robin's return signals the arrival of spring, and the woman promised to return to him before then.


The man is clearly anxious about seeing the bird because its presence reminds him of the love he has lost, and he is unsure whether or not to trust in her promise to return. However, he also uses the bird as a symbol of hope, imagining that he and his love will someday reunite and spend their lives together watching the leaves turn green. The repetition of the question "What kind of bird is that?" reinforces the man's sense of uncertainty and longing, as he tries to reconcile his desire for love and companionship with the reality of his current situation.


Bobby Bare's "What Kind of Bird Is That" is a poignant and evocative song about love and loss, hope and uncertainty. The song's lyrics are both simple and deeply meaningful, evoking the complicated emotions that arise when we stake our happiness on someone else's promises. The song's melody is gentle and thoughtful, reinforcing the sense of introspection and contemplation that runs throughout the lyrics.


Line by Line Meaning

What kind of bird is that
The singer is questioning the identity of a certain bird.


The one with the bright red breast
The singer is describing a bird with a distinct physical feature.


I know it just can't be the robin
The singer is ruling out one particular bird species as a possibility.


'Cause my love is not back yet
The artist connects the presence of the bird to the return of a loved one who has not come back.


The one I love and wanted to marry
The artist introduces and describes a romantic interest who has promised to return.


Had to leave before she became my bride
The singer explains why their loved one had to leave.


But she said she'd return
The singer emphasizes the promise made by their loved one to come back.


Before the robin would return
The artist mentions the timing of their loved one's promised return.


And with each other we'd spend our lives
The artist expresses the depth of their commitment to their loved one.


And she said she'd return
The artist reiterates their loved one's promise to come back.


Long before the robin returned
The singer compares the timing of their loved one's return to the return of the robin.


And together we'd watch the leaves turn green
The artist recalls a happy memory with their loved one.


She showed me then just how much she loves me
The singer shares another positive memory of their loved one.


And she and I and the robin can spend the spring
The singer imagines a happy future with their loved one.


So who could be playin' tricks on me
The singer expresses confusion and doubts about their situation.


By the time that I relax and countin' leaves
The artist reveals another piece of information about their surroundings.


That can't be a spring, yeah surely that can't be
The artist questions the accuracy of the season based on their observations.


'Cause the one I love, she's not with me
The singer makes a connection between the absence of their loved one and their current confusion.


Oh, what kind of bird is that
The singer repeats their opening question, expressing continued curiosity about the bird they see.


The one with the bright red breast
The artist offers a further description of the bird they see.


I know it just can't be the robin
The artist repeats their earlier conclusion, rejecting the idea that the bird they see is a robin.


'Cause my love is not back yet
The artist repeats their earlier reasoning, connecting the presence of the bird to the absence of their loved one.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: COCHRAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Brenda Fretwell

this one brought a tear to my eye good song Bobby you sang it beautiful..love The Bare!

grammaidaho

Oh the man has so many really great and I mean really really great songs. Some that I forgot about but great people have brought them back just for just us to enjoy again. Thank you.

Frank Smith

This is butiful

Slade Morelis

What kind of bird are you?

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