Long recorded the 10-song collection Dirty Pond Songs in his London bedroom, traffic noises and all. “Left to Lie” from Dirty Pond Songs, became an iTunes favorite, topping the site’s “Unsigned” chart and reaching #8 on its Folk Music chart. “The Bounty of Mary Jane” from Dirty Pond Songs and a live version of his “Being a Mockingbird”, recorded at Arlene’s Grocery in New York City, were also released via iTunes. “The Dangerous Summer” tour continued until the end of 2009, logging some 80 performances in all.
Long embarked upon the “Left to Lie” tour of Europe in early 2010 and began to record his first studio CD with producer Grammy winner Liam Watson at Toe Rag Studios in London. He also released a collection of live performances from the Dangerous Summer 2009 tour. "My Darling Belle" from that collection went to #2 on iTunes' Singer-Songwriter chart.
On April 23, 2010, Long officially signed on to the roster at ATO Records, the label co-founded by musician Dave Matthews, which is home to such artists as Radiohead, David Gray, Ben Kweller, Liz Phair, and more. They released his debut album, "A Winter Tale", on February 1, 2011. During 2010, he toured with Matt Pond PA during which time he met the Kalob Griffin Band, also known as KGB, who would become his backing band for subsequent U.S. dates that year, including the Mile High Festival in Denver, the xPoNential Music Festival in Philadelphia and the Troubadour in Los Angeles. He did a solo tour of Europe in the fall, followed by North American dates in support of Michael Franti. He ended the year with a fund-raising event at the Housing Works Bookstore Cafe in Manhattan where he debuted his new touring band.
Long spent most of 2011 promoting the album "A Winter Tale," which began with a tour in North America. He also made an appearance on The Tonight Show on February 3, 2011 and on The Early Show on August 8, 2011. During the summer, as part of the legendary Bonnaroo Music Festival, he played on the Cafe Stage. The Dave Matthews Band Caravan included him in the line-up in Atlantic City, NJ and in Chicago, IL. He played on the BMI stage at Austin City Limits Music Festival in September. Long made "another live" recorded EP called "The Backing Singer" in July 2011, with the producer, Jesse Lauter. In October 2011, he kicked off "The Losing My Brotherhood Tour" with shows in Canada, the United States, and Europe.
Long started 2012 by recording his sophomore album, produced by Ted Hutt, and appeared on the Cayamo Cruise in February. On February 23, he announced online that he would be doing a weekly "song of the week," (for an undisclosed period of time), that he records at home. He spent most of April supporting the acoustic guitar duo, Rodrigo y Gabriela, on tour, but ended the month opening a show for Iron & Wine. In between supporting Steve Winwood on tour in May, Long released his first book of poetry, "Losing My Brotherhood." He stated that a "discipline aspect allowed me to separate the poems from my music.” July consisted of Long opening shows for The Mother Hips in California as well as a performance and poetry reading at Barnes & Noble in L.A. for his book. He followed with shows in the western U.S. and then returned to opening for Steve Winwood on tour in the fall. After Hurricane Sandy hit the east coast of the United States in October of 2012, Long donated his 1965 Epiphone Cabellero guitar to the Red Cross Hurricane Relief fund. For the victims, he later participated in the benefit "A Love Letter to New York" that also included Joan Osborne, Matisyahu, and others.
Being A Mockingbird
Bobby Long Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And breaks the morning it brings
The mad men are down on the crypt floor
Sleeping through their favors and sins
I trained myself to be hardened
And greet the bird like the day
I soared to greet lusty gambling's
I exchanged the dark for the darkness
And hung the belt from the wing
So the traitors may part with their malice
But I'll remember everything
I stood up and danced round the heckles
And planted the leaf from the book
I admit I love my romances
The blackbird, the wren, the rook
The church house won't harbor the coffins
But the docks they whittle their ships
To the pleasure the feast
And the memory and the soar of kissing her lips
I gave up myself to the dawning
Of the morning bird in first flight
I thought I ran the road of the pauper
I lost it all in the night
I lost it all in the night
The song "Being A Mockingbird" by Bobby Long is a poignant and reflective piece about the tough choices that one makes in life and the consequences that follow. The opening lines "The night it rests like a hammerblow and breaks the morning it brings" provide a perfect metaphor for the weight of dark times that can leave a lasting impact. The mention of 'mad men' sleeping off their vices in a crypt is a stark image that sets the tone for the song. However, the singer reveals that he has 'trained himself to be hardened,' showing that he has learnt to deal with the harsh realities of life. The mention of soaring to greet lusty gambles and drenching oneself in the dusk speaks to the idea of going all-in, of living life to the fullest without holding anything back.
The next lines speak to a sense of betrayal, of having been wronged by others, but making peace with it and moving on. The singer hangs the belt from the wing, a symbolic gesture that suggests letting go of resentment and forgiving those who have wronged them. Yet, they still remember everything, showing that the past can never truly be forgotten. The following lines mention the blackbird, the wren, and the rook, birds that are often seen as symbols of freedom and escape. The singer admits to loving the romance and excitement of life, of embracing the beauty of the world around them despite the darkness that may exist.
The final lines of the song speak to the idea that one can never truly predict what life will bring. The churchhouse won't harbor the coffins, but the docks will continue to send ships out to sea, a reflection that life goes on, regardless of the trials we face. The singer admits to having lost everything in the night, yet suggests that there may still be hope in the dawn. The song is a beautiful reflection on the complex nature of human existence, of the highs and lows that we inevitably face and how we respond to them.
Line by Line Meaning
The night it rests like a hammerblow and breaks the morning it brings,
The weight of the night is heavy and overwhelming, and it shatters the hope of a new day.
The mad men are down on the crypt floor sleeping through there favours and sins,
Those who are lost and corrupted lie unconscious, oblivious to their own wrongdoings.
I trained myself to be hardened and greet the bird like the day,
I taught myself to be strong and to face each new challenge head-on, just as the morning bird greets the day with resilience.
I soared to greet lusty gamblings and drenched myself in the dusk where they lay,
I allowed myself to become consumed by reckless pursuits and pleasures, submerging myself in the dangerous and uncertain places they led me.
I exchanged the dark for the darkness and hung the belt from the wing,
I moved from one kind of darkness to another, letting go of the physical trappings of my past but still carrying the weight of it with me.
So the traitors may part with there malice but ill remember everything,
Although those who wronged me may seek forgiveness and move on from their misdeeds, I will never forget what they did to me.
I stood up and danced round the heckles and planted the leaf from the book,
I refused to be held back by the doubts and criticisms of others, and instead found inspiration in literature and the natural world.
I admit i love my romances the blackbird, the wren, the rook,
I confess that I find joy and beauty in the small things in life, such as the birds and their songs.
The church house wont harbour the coffins but the docks they wittle there ships,
Although traditional places of worship may not offer comfort to the dead, the docks provide a space for creation and new beginnings.
To the pleasure the feast and the memory and the soar of kissing her lips,
I revel in the joys of life, including the pleasures of food, the warmth of memories, and the rush of romantic intimacy.
I gave up myself to the dawning, of the morning bird in first flight,
I surrendered myself to the start of a new day, embracing the opportunity for growth and change just as the morning bird takes flight.
I thought i ran the road of the pauper,
I believed that my struggles would lead to a life of hardship and poverty.
I lost it all in the night,
Despite my efforts to overcome my challenges, I ultimately failed and lost everything in the darkness.
I lost it all in the night.
My loss was so great that I repeat it, to emphasize the magnitude of my failure.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ROBERT THOMAS LONG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind