Up With the Birds
Coldplay Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

The birds they sang, at break of day
"Start again" I hear them say
It's so hard to just walk away

The birds they sang, all a choir
"Start again" a little higher
It's a spark in a sea of gray

The sky is blue
Dream that lie 'til it's true
Then takin' back the punch I threw
My arms turn wings
Oh, those clumsy things
Send me up to that wonderful world
And then I'm up with the birds

Might have to go
Where they don't know my name
Float all over the world
Just to see her again
But I won't show or fear any pain
Even though all my armor might rust in the rain

A simple plot
But I know one day
Good things are coming our way

A simple plot
But I know one day
Good things are coming our way

Oh, yeah

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Coldplay's song "Up with the Birds" can be interpreted in different ways, but it seems to convey a message of hope and optimism in the face of adversity. The birds singing at the break of day signify a new beginning, urging the singer to start again and try to overcome whatever struggles they may be facing. The line "It's so hard to just walk away" suggests that letting go of what's familiar can be difficult, but the birds' choir inspires the singer to aim higher and seek something brighter.

The metaphor of the singer's arms turning into wings suggests a desire to transcend their current situation and reach for something beyond themselves. The repetition of "Up with the birds" reinforces this theme of upward movement, as if the singer is being lifted out of their troubles and into a more positive space. The lines "Might have to go where they don't know my name...even though all my armor might rust in the rain" suggest a willingness to take risks and face uncertainty in pursuit of something better.

Overall, "Up with the Birds" is a song about finding courage and hope in the face of difficulty. It encourages the listener to keep striving for their goals, even when the path ahead seems uncertain.

Line by Line Meaning

The birds they sang, at break of day
The singing of the birds in the morning inspires hope for a fresh start.

"Start again" I hear them say
The birds seem to encourage a new beginning, a chance to start over.

It's so hard to just walk away
Leaving behind the past, even when it's hurtful, can be a difficult thing to do.

The birds they sang, all a choir
The birds singing together creates a sense of unity and shared purpose.

"Start again" a little higher
The birds' call for a fresh start is a call to aim for better things than before.

It's a spark in a sea of gray
The hope offered by the birds' singing is a glimmer of light in a dreary world.

The sky is blue
The sky represents endless possibility and optimism for the future.

Dream that lie 'til it's true
Hold onto your vision until it becomes a reality.

Then takin' back the punch I threw
Let go of anger and resentment to move forward with a clear mind.

My arms turn wings
Metaphorically, the artist feels like they could take flight because of their newfound hope and sense of purpose.

Oh, those clumsy things
The singer recognizes that they may not be an expert in chasing their dreams, but they will try despite the obstacles.

Send me up to that wonderful world
The artist yearns to be a part of something bigger, a world where positivity and potential are the norm.

And then I'm up with the birds
The singer feels a sense of newfound liberation, able to soar in the same way the birds do.

Might have to go
The singer is considering a major change in their life.

Where they don't know my name
The singer is willing to start anew in a place where they don't have a prior identity or history.

Float all over the world
The artist's idea of freedom is to travel and explore new places.

Just to see her again
There is someone or something that the artist is particularly longing for and willing to take risks to reconnect with.

But I won't show or fear any pain
The singer is willing to face any challenges or difficulties that come along with their journey and not let it deter them.

Even though all my armor might rust in the rain
Even if their defenses fail, the singer is willing to be vulnerable in order to pursue their dreams.

A simple plot
Despite its simplicity, the artist believes their plan has the potential to bring great rewards.

But I know one day
The artist has faith and hopeful expectation for the future.

Good things are coming our way
The artist is optimistic about what the future holds and believes that a positive outcome is on its way.

Oh, yeah
A simple and emphatic expression of enthusiasm for the possibilities ahead.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Christopher Anthony John Martin, Guy Rupert Berryman, Jonathan Mark Buckland, William Champion, Leonard Cohen, Brian Eno, Brian Peter George Eno

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS