Blackbird
Bobby McFerrin Lyrics


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Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Black bird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to be free

Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night.

Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise,




You were only waiting for this moment to arise,
You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Overall Meaning

Bobby McFerrin's song "Blackbird" captures the story of a blackbird that is singing in the dead of night. The song urges the blackbird to take its broken wings and learn to fly, and to take its sunken eyes and learn to see. The lyrics suggest that the blackbird has been waiting its entire life for this moment to arise, to break free and fly into the light of the dark black night. However, the song is also a metaphor for human experience, capturing themes of fear, pain, and hope.


The blackbird represents those who have experienced trauma, pain, or struggle, and are waiting for a moment to be free. The chorus, "Blackbird fly, blackbird fly, into the light of the dark black night," echoes the hope that people can overcome their struggles and find light in their darkest moments. The song's message is one of resilience and the idea that hardship can lead to growth.


Line by Line Meaning

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
The songbird is singing during a time when all is quiet and seemingly hopeless.


Take these broken wings and learn to fly
Use your past failures as a launching pad for greatness.


All your life
Throughout your existence.


You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You've been anticipating a significant moment in your life.


Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
Open yourself up to new perspectives and experiences by overcoming past traumas and disappointments.


You were only waiting for this moment to be free
You've been waiting for the chance to break free from the shackles that hold you back.


Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
The songbird should take to the skies.


Into the light of the dark black night.
Use your newfound abilities and insight to navigate through life's struggles.


You were only waiting for this moment to arise,
This anticipated moment, the chance to take flight, has long been in the making.


You were only waiting for this moment to arise,
The opportunity to soar has been within reach, and now it's time to seize it.


You were only waiting for this moment to arise
It's time to embrace change and move forward towards new horizons.




Lyrics © Tratore, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

katiej88

i love how "taking breaths" is too uncool for this guy, so he just sings a pitch on his inhalation. That way he doesn't have to stop singing to take a breath. AWESOME

Troy Gardner

Totally it's necessary on many forms of fully bully musicianship ...for "circular breathing" compare any trumpet player like "miles davis" vs Louis Armstrong ( chip monk cheeks fully inflated), or avant gaurd pipes/flutes like jaron lineard

Any normal person can whistle inverted but not in same range of normal "out" breathing

It’s _Yo_Girlll!

😂

Felix Henson

BACKWARDS SINGING OMG
(sorry, for reference i'm amused because this is literally what Jack Black is joking about doing in a sketch of his)

3 More Replies...

Paul Angelini

Towards the end I realized he was breathing actual notes in tempo without missing a step. Incredible.

Nat1 Baby

Inward singing bro... have you not heard the Tenacious D album?

Alfred Agatucci

pretty sure is singing on his inhales as well

The Zigzagman

@Nat1 Baby
He's like a fucking one man band.

1 More Replies...

George Collier

oh my god the lick at 1:18 is amazing

Viola Case

Hi George 😀

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