The Blackbird
L.E. McCullough 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.

Blackbird 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

"The Blackbird" by L.E. McCullough is a deeply introspective song that employs the metaphor of a blackbird, a dark and seemingly hopeless creature, to explore the idea of finding hope and freedom in life. The first verse sets the tone by painting a picture of a blackbird singing in the dead of night, an image that is both haunting and beautiful. The lines "Take these broken wings and learn to fly / All your life / You were only waiting for this moment to arise" suggest that the blackbird is broken and unable to fly, but with the right mindset, it can learn to take flight and seize the opportunities that await it.


In the second verse, the metaphor continues as the blackbird is asked to take its sunken eyes and learn to see. This could be interpreted as a call to look beyond surface appearances and seek deeper truths in life. The song repeatedly emphasizes that this moment of freedom and self-discovery is what the blackbird has been waiting for its entire life. The repetition of the lines "Blackbird fly, blackbird fly / Into the light of the dark black night" serves as a sort of chorus, urging the blackbird (and by extension the listener) to take action and break free from whatever is holding them back.


Line by Line Meaning

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
The blackbird is singing during a quiet, dark time


Take these broken wings and learn to fly
Learn how to overcome your struggles and become successful


All your life
Throughout your entire existence


You were only waiting for this moment to arise.
This moment was what you have been anticipating and waiting for


Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
Gain a new perspective and understanding of the world around you


You were only waiting for this moment to be free.
This moment is what you have needed to break through the chains that have been hindering your life


Blackbird fly Blackbird fly
Take off and soar high


Into the light of the dark black night.
Embrace the opportunities that exist in the darkest of times




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:

@bonenfant96

Very taughtful of you.

@RobertoWhistle

Very good my friend !

@danieldunlop1409

Love the tune, your playing and Jerry's Bluebird.  Also enjoyed your blog and article "Six Ways to Break Out of Being a Beginning Whistle Player"  Hope you will continue to post videos on YouTube.  Cheers from a retired soldier who recently "found" the tinwhistle and its community.

@FeadogIstan

Thanks, Daniel! Just keep learning one tune after another ... next thing you know, it becomes music!

@BobNevins420

Will Farrall

@CuCulainn1

nicely done sir. did you write it yourself?

@FeadogIstan

I absolutely did. Jerry Freeman is a fellow Hoosier (how often does anybody from the State of Indiana get music written about them?) and a fantastic instrument craftsman.

@CuCulainn1

his whistles are fantastic alright. I've got a mellow dog myself :)

@balddonaldcerrone7930

L.E. McCullough any opinion on the mellow dog whistle?

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