Wild Bird
Michael Martin Murphey Lyrics


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Wild bird, I have mended your wing
Now I'm wondering if my cold white hands can let go
Just hold on to your fluttering heart
I know you're anxious to make a new start

And when you call me from the down winds
Rise and fall back to the ground again
You belong in the mountains
Wild bird

Wild bird, you have mended my soul
But I still don't know
If my songs can sore like your wings
But I will sing tonight
This hymn to a life and flight

And when you call me from the down winds
Rise and fall back to the ground again
You belong in the mountains
Wild bird

And when you call me from the down winds
Rise and fall back to the ground again
You belong in the mountains
Wild bird





Wild bird
Wild bird

Overall Meaning

The opening line of Michael Murphey's song, "Wild Bird," suggests that the singer has helped this bird by mending its wing. But, as he holds the bird in his hands, he wonders if he can let it go. The bird represents a wild and free spirit, and the singer recognizes its anxiousness to start anew. The second verse shifts to the perspective of the bird mending the singer's soul. He acknowledges the beauty and freedom of the bird's wings and wonders if he can match that with his music. He decides to sing a hymn to life and flight.


The chorus repeats twice, emphasizing the idea that the bird belongs in the mountains where it can be free to fly and be wild. The song ends with the repetition of "Wild bird," emphasizing the importance of this free spirit in our lives.


Overall, "Wild Bird" is a metaphor for the need for freedom and the desire to soar. The singer recognizes the importance of this in his life and acknowledges the beauty of the spirit of the wild bird. By helping the bird, he has also helped himself become more in touch with this spirit.


Line by Line Meaning

Wild bird, I have mended your wing
I have fixed your broken wing, and now I'm hesitant to let you go.


Now I'm wondering if my cold white hands can let go
I'm questioning whether I'm emotionally prepared to release you from my grasp.


Just hold on to your fluttering heart
Stay calm and keep your heart steady, despite your excitement to fly again.


I know you're anxious to make a new start
I understand your eagerness to begin anew and explore the world once more.


Wild bird, you have mended my soul
Your presence has healed me on a deeper level, but I'm not yet confident in my own ability to achieve greatness.


But I still don't know
I'm still uncertain about my own potential.


If my songs can sore like your wings
I don't know if my music can have the same transformative power as your flight.


But I will sing tonight
Despite my doubts, I will still sing and celebrate life and freedom.


This hymn to a life and flight
My song is a tribute to the joy and exhilaration of living and soaring above the world.


And when you call me from the down winds
When you communicate with me from the different directions and weathers you face in the sky.


Rise and fall back to the ground again
As you ascend and descend in the sky, enjoying the exhilarating freedom of flying.


You belong in the mountains
You are meant to soar in the mountains, reaching new heights and exploring new horizons.


Wild bird
You, who embody the spirit of freedom and adventure.


Wild bird
You, who inspire us to strive for greatness and chase our dreams.




Contributed by Kylie L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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