The Fire Is On the Bird
Jackson & Jackson Lyrics
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And I know that one day, one day the city will burn
So I think, I think, I think I have something to sing
But I do not, I do not, I do not have the words
The fire, the fire's on the bird
The fire, the fire's on the bird
The fire, the fire's on the bird
The devil, the devil's on the level
The devil, the devil's on the level
The devil, the devil's on the level
The devil, the fire's on the bird
The fire, the fire's on the bird
The fire, the fire's on the bird
The fire, the fire's on the bird
The fire, the fire's on the bird
The song "The Fire Is On the Bird" by Jackson & Jackson is a complex and intriguing piece of work, featuring repeating lines that are open to interpretation. The opening line, "I heard an old man say that the bird is on the wing," seems to suggest that someone has noticed a sign of danger or potential disaster. The following line, "And I know that one day, one day the city will burn," confirms this sense of impending doom, implying that the bird's flight represents some kind of harbinger of destruction.
The singer then acknowledges that they have "something to sing," but they lack the words to express it fully. This sense of frustration in the face of an overwhelming situation is reflected in the repetition of the phrase "I do not have the words." Meanwhile, the chorus alternates between "the fire's on the bird" and "the devil's on the level," two phrases that suggest both danger and malevolence. The repeated lines contribute to a feeling of unease and tension that never entirely dissipates, even as the song draws to a close.
Line by Line Meaning
I heard an old man say that the bird is on the wing
An old man said that a situation is happening now but it will soon come to an end
And I know that one day, one day the city will burn
The city will eventually be destroyed
So I think, I think, I think I have something to sing
The singer believes they have an important message to share
But I do not, I do not, I do not have the words
Despite feeling strongly about something, the artist does not have the ability to express it
The fire, the fire's on the bird
The danger is imminent and cannot be ignored
The devil, the devil's on the level
Evil is present and working towards its goals
The fire, the fire's on the bird
The threat is growing stronger
Contributed by Benjamin I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.