Brown Bird was a folk band which formed in 2003 in Seattle, Washington, Uni… Read Full Bio ↴Brown Bird was a folk band which formed in 2003 in Seattle, Washington, United States, but was based in Warren, Rhode Island for much of its existence. The band's lineup changed often, revolving around founder David Lamb (vocals, guitar, multiple instruments). By 2010, the band consisted only of Lamb and MorganEve Swain (fiddle, bass, vocals), who were married in 2013. Lamb died on April 5, 2014 of complications from leukemia.

Pulling from the influences of the blues, outlaw country, roots rock, early American folk, Gypsy and Eastern European music, Brown Bird offers harmonized voices, haunting lyrics and diverse rhythm and instrumentation, which surges in waves that often swell into high-spirited, foot-stomping madness.

Brown Bird began in 2003, as a solo project for David Lamb (guitar/vocals/banjo/percussion), formed in Seattle, Washington and was named after Lamb's dog, who was named "Bird" and was brown. After playing around solo for a few years and moving to Portland, Oregon, the band grew to include Jerusha Robinson (cello/vocals) and her husband, Jeremy Robinson (accordion/banjo), turning the once-solo act into a trio. With the Robinsons, Lamb would go on to record the first two albums: 2006's Tautology and 2007's Such Unrest.

On a solo tour in 2008, promoting The Bottom of the Sea Lamb met MorganEve Swain (fiddle/upright bass/violin/vocals) and Mike Samos (lap steel/dobro) and they were soon added to the lineup.

The Robinsons decided to depart in 2009, choosing to focus on their own project, South China, though they would be featured on some songs for 2009's The Devil Dancing. Samos stuck around for another year but would also depart in 2010, leaving the final lineup for Brown Bird as David Lamb and MorganEve Swain.

The band would tour extensively, as support for fellow folk/bluegrass acts, including Trampled By Turtles, The Devil Makes Three, Yonder Mountain String Band, and Horse Feathers. Lamb and Swain released two albums as a duo, 2011's The Sound of Ghosts EP and full length Salt for Salt and 2013's Fits of Reason.

In early 2013, David Lamb was diagnosed with leukemia, putting the band on hiatus during his recovery. After more than a year of successful recovery and an unfortunate relapse, David Lamb passed away on April 5, 2014.

Past members:
Jeremy Robinson (accordion, banjo)
Jerusha Robinson (cello, vocals)
Mike Samos (lap steel, dobro)
Special guest:
Micah Blue Smaldone (bass)

The Band has released seven albums and one EP to date:
‘Tautology’ (2006)
‘Such Unrest’ (2007)
'The Bottom of the Sea' (2008) (Peapod Recordings)
'The Devil Dancing' (2009) (Peapod Recordings)
'The Sound of Ghosts' (EP; 2011)
'Salt for Salt' (2011)
'Fits of Reason' (2013)
'Axis Mundi' (2015)

Their most recent albums are available for purchase on brownbird.net and Supply&Demand Music.

The Messenger
Brown Bird Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

There are fleeting fits of reason between the sleeping and the drinks
When a million different sensory experiences blink
And its there within the momentary darkness you can breathe
And be a form without reflection or debris
There are bloody bouts of tenderness against the bonds of fear
Fixed in combat everlasting, vultures circled ever near
Now they're placing bets deciding who will be the first to feast
But we can flood the battlefield with song and beer

Barrel-chested bankers buying billboards by the score
Placing all their eggs in baskets made of future futile wars
Now their children fight in microcosmic mirrors of their game
And the messenger will always be to blame
There are centuries of seasons turning white to green to brown
Cycling through each solar sequence, turning temperaments around
When this incessant spinning ceases making dizzy all our days
We'll succumb to something stranger anyway
To some disaster of a disorienting brand new day
Barrel-chested bankers buying billboards by the score
Placing all their eggs in baskets made of future futile wars

Now their children fight in microcosmic mirrors of their game
And the messenger will always be to blame

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Brown Bird's The Messenger explore themes of fleeting moments of clarity in the midst of chaos, the struggle against fear and the cycle of life and death. The lines "There are fleeting fits of reason between the sleeping and the drinks / When a million different sensory experiences blink" evoke a sense of self-awareness that arises in those brief moments between waking and sleep or inebriation. In that darkness, one has the opportunity to be free from the distractions and influences of society, to exist as a "form without reflection or debris." This is contrasted with the "bloody bouts of tenderness" that come with the struggle against fear, and the vultures that circle in anticipation of the fall.

The second verse shifts to a commentary on the destructive tendencies of humans, particularly those in power. The "barrel-chested bankers buying billboards by the score" symbolize those who seek to profit from war and violence, using their wealth to perpetuate cycles of destruction. Their children become caught up in these wars, fighting in "microcosmic mirrors of their game" and ultimately placing blame on the messenger. The final verse speaks to the inevitability of change and the cycle of life and death, echoing the sentiment of Ecclesiastes: "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven."

Overall, The Messenger is a reflective and thought-provoking song that encourages the listener to consider their own role in the world and their relationship to the cycle of life.

Line by Line Meaning

There are fleeting fits of reason between the sleeping and the drinks
There are brief moments of clarity that occur while transitioning between sleep and being under the influence of alcohol

When a million different sensory experiences blink
During these moments, it feels like there are many different sensory perceptions happening quickly and all at once

And its there within the momentary darkness you can breathe
This clarity occurs in the brief moments of darkness, where it feels like one can finally take a breath and pause

And be a form without reflection or debris
In these moments, one can be their true, unadulterated self without any outside influences or distractions

There are bloody bouts of tenderness against the bonds of fear
There are intense moments of vulnerability that are met with fear and resistance

Fixed in combat everlasting, vultures circled ever near
These moments are ongoing battles that are met with the constant threat of negative outside forces

Now they're placing bets deciding who will be the first to feast
These outside forces are anticipating failure and destruction, and are betting on who will come out on top

But we can flood the battlefield with song and beer
However, there is still hope to bring positivity to the situation through celebration and joy

Barrel-chested bankers buying billboards by the score
Powerful individuals are spending excessively to promote their agendas

Placing all their eggs in baskets made of future futile wars
These individuals are investing in wars and conflicts that ultimately have no positive outcome

Now their children fight in microcosmic mirrors of their game
Their children are now engaging in their parents' games and power struggles on a smaller, more personal level

And the messenger will always be to blame
Ultimately, the one who delivers the bad news or reality will be blamed for the negative outcome, rather than those in power who caused it

There are centuries of seasons turning white to green to brown
The changing of seasons and passing of time is a constant cycle of growth and decay

Cycling through each solar sequence, turning temperaments around
These changes affect not only the physical world, but also individual emotions and attitudes

When this incessant spinning ceases making dizzy all our days
At some point, the constant cycle of change and ups and downs will become overwhelming and cause disorientation

We'll succumb to something stranger anyway
No matter what happens, there will always be some unexpected and strange result

To some disaster of a disorienting brand new day
This unexpected outcome may be a catastrophic event that takes us completely by surprise

Contributed by Lucas F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS