After a brief tour in Australia with Gatherer the band returned to the U.S. to play what would be their last show on December 4, 2009 at the Crabtree Brewing Company in Greeley, CO. After close to 18 months of silence from the band, guitarist Adam Rupert posted a message on the band's Facebook stating an indefinite hiatus.
Several days later Adam made another statement making it clear that the band has not broken up.
Dog Sized Bird
Fear Before Lyrics
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I am the dog sized bird on the tracks
I have an unhealthy handful of options
And a couple of trains on my back
I'm picking at remains of other lives
And watching colors and tragic looking passerbys
Picking at bones
Losing my nerve
Constantly calculating
There's time between trains, I know
There's time between trains, I know
And a right moment
To find a new set of tracks
There's time between trains
I know exactly how long
But I'm testing my conviction
And I may be primed for picking at any time
The lyrics to Fear Before's song Dog Sized Bird convey a sense of being trapped between two options. The singer identifies as the bird on the tracks, dog sized, and with a handful of unhealthy options. This image is illustrative of being stuck in a difficult situation, one in which there are no easy answers, much like the bird on the tracks. The second stanza reveals the singer's state of mind, picking at the remains of other lives and watching tragic-looking passersby. This imagery suggests that the singer is surrounded by the wreckage of other people's choices and is struggling to make sense of their own options.
The chorus of the song continues the bird metaphor, describing the singer as "picking at bones" and "losing my nerve." The singer is constantly calculating their options and searching for a way out of their current predicament. The repetition of the phrase "there's time between trains, I know" suggests that the singer is waiting for an opportune moment to make a change.
Overall, the song Dog Sized Bird is a poignant expression of the difficult choices we all face in life. The lyrics and imagery are evocative, and the song's melody and instrumentation perfectly capture the sense of being trapped.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you seen me lately?
I am asking if you have noticed me around recently.
I am the dog sized bird on the tracks
I am a small and vulnerable creature trying to survive in a dangerous and unforgiving environment.
I have an unhealthy handful of options
I have many choices, but they are all negative or harmful.
And a couple of trains on my back
I am weighed down by the problems and dangers that constantly threaten me.
I'm picking at remains of other lives
I am living off of the scraps and leftovers of others because I am unable to provide for myself.
And watching colors and tragic looking passerbys
I am observing the people around me, but they all seem unhappy or troubled.
I am the dog sized bird
I am still small and vulnerable, and I need to be careful to avoid danger.
Picking at bones
I am scavenging for what little sustenance I can find.
Losing my nerve
I am becoming more scared and uncertain as time passes.
Constantly calculating
I am always trying to figure out the best course of action to stay safe and alive.
There's time between trains, I know
There are moments of safety and opportunity in my dangerous surroundings.
And a right moment
If I time things correctly, I may be able to make decisions that will lead to my safety.
To find a new set of tracks
To leave behind the problems and dangers of my current situation and find a better place to be.
I know exactly how long
I am aware of how much time I have to make a decision or take action.
But I'm testing my conviction
I am questioning my ability to make a safe and successful decision.
And I may be primed for picking at any time
I am always at risk of being attacked or threatened, no matter what choices I make.
Contributed by Alexis D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@lamieklaurence8319
They opened with this when I saw them live. It was the best thing I ever saw.
@kettlecookedjalapenochips
Still so fucking solid
@Andy_Paris
One of my favorite tracks! This album is on my top ten list of all time favorite albums, along with Smashing Pumpkins: Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, Killswitch Engage's Alive or Just Breathing and Lorna Shore's Pain Remains, to name a few.
@gofuckyourself6688
Have you seen me lately..