The band's namesake and place of origin is the Cincinnati, Ohio neighborhood Over-the-Rhine. Karin attended school in Barnesville, Ohio and graduated from Barnesville High School in 1984. She then went to Malone College, located in Canton, Ohio, where she met Linford. Karin and Linford were married in the fall of 1996 in Cincinnati and several years ago relocated to a pre-civil war farm outside of town.
Over the Rhine is now primarily Bergquist (vocals, acoustic guitar, piano) and Detweiler (keyboards, electric bass, vocals) accompanied by complementary musicians on albums and tours. Over the years, they have toured and recorded in many variations. They have shared the stage with a number of fine musicians, including Bob Dylan, John Prine, Adrian Belew, Squeeze, Ani DiFranco, My Morning Jacket, Hem, and toured as "adjunct" members of Cowboy Junkies.
Over the Rhine's new album, _The Long Surrender_ was released nationally on 1/1/11. It recorded on California with Grammy winning producer, Joe Henry and contains a duet with Lucinda Williams on "Undamned" and two songs co-written with Joe Henry.
Birds
Over the Rhine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fall on me
Birds of a feather in a featherless cap
Poor lovers breed songs in a two-room flat
Moist hands fold to pray for a painless truth
We dance on the tracks of a train called
Youth
Truth's on the table like a toxic spill
If we never shake hands with a phantom called fame
I'll still have your picture in a picture
Frame
If you should fall
Fall on me
Forty-acre farm we can call our own
With a chocolate lab and no telephone
The full moon's leering in a lover's swoon
And the apple tree's swaying to a windy
Tune
(save me I'm falling for you)
But we won't get to heaven if we just sit still
If we don't cry murder maybe no one will
We're riding tandem down Sycamore hill
If we hit the brakes we're gonna take a big spill
If you should fall
Fall on me
And if my hand were taken hold of
I'd slip away with you love
Slip away with you love
The song "Birds" by the American band Over the Rhine is contemplative and introspective. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of two people in love trying to make their way through life. The beginning of the song mentions the metaphor of "birds of a feather," which implies that the lovers are in a similar situation as other people around them but still unique in their own way. They are poor and living in a two-room flat, but their love for one another helps them create songs. There is a religious aspect to the song as well, with the mention of prayer and truth as something that could be painful. The young lovers are dancing on the tracks of a train called "youth," signifying that they are in the prime of their lives with infinite possibilities before them.
The song talks about the toxic spill that truth can be, and the two lovers wrestle with it on the bed. They express the desire to not shake hands with fame, showing that they are not interested in superficial and temporary things. The chorus "fall on me" is repeated throughout the song, signifying the rhythm of life that could take any direction, but the two of them are supporting each other through thick and thin. They want to own a farm and have a chocolate lab, a life of simplicity where they can be together and no one interrupts their peace.
Line by Line Meaning
Fall on me
I am here for you and will catch you if you fall.
Fall on me
I am here for you and will catch you if you fall.
Birds of a feather in a featherless cap
We are unique and don't fit in, but together we have something special.
Poor lovers breed songs in a two-room flat
Our struggles and hardships inspire us to create beautiful things.
Moist hands fold to pray for a painless truth
We hope and wish for an easy path, but know the truth may be painful.
We dance on the tracks of a train called
Youth
We live life recklessly and without restraint, embracing the freedom of youth.
Truth's on the table like a toxic spill
The truth is out in the open and it may be harmful if not handled delicately.
And we wrestle in the sheets with our own freewill
We struggle with our inner demons and choices, taking responsibility for our actions.
If we never shake hands with a phantom called fame
I'll still have your picture in a picture
Frame
Even if we never achieve fame or notoriety, our love and memories will still be cherished.
If you should fall
Fall on me
I am here for you and will catch you if you fall.
Forty-acre farm we can call our own
With a chocolate lab and no telephone
We dream of a simple life away from the chaos of the world.
The full moon's leering in a lover's swoon
And the apple tree's swaying to a windy
Tune
We are lost in love and the beauty of nature surrounding us.
(save me I'm falling for you)
I am falling for you and hope you will catch me.
But we won't get to heaven if we just sit still
If we don't cry murder maybe no one will
We're riding tandem down Sycamore hill
If we hit the brakes we're gonna take a big spill
We must take action and fight for what is right, even if it means taking risks and facing consequences.
If you should fall
Fall on me
I am here for you and will catch you if you fall.
And if my hand were taken hold of
I'd slip away with you love
Slip away with you love
I would leave everything behind to be with you and our love.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KARIN BERGQUIST, LINFORD DETWEILER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind