Rob Wasserman left the band in 2003 and was replaced by Robin Sylvester.
Blackbird
Ratdog Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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.
The lyrics to "Blackbird" by Ratdog are powerful and poignant. The song is about personal transformation and the idea that even when we feel broken, we have the ability to rise above our circumstances and fly. The blackbird symbolizes freedom and the ability to soar above the darkness.
The first stanza sets the tone of the song, with its description of a blackbird singing in the dead of night. The singer exhorts the bird to "take these broken wings and learn to fly," referring to the idea that even in the midst of hardship, one can find the strength to rise above it. The second stanza carries the same message, but this time the singer urges the bird to "take these sunken eyes and learn to see." This line can be interpreted as an invocation to see beyond the darkness and to find the light that shines within us.
Line by Line Meaning
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
The singer is addressing a blackbird singing in the dark, as a metaphor for a person who has faced hardship and has come out on the other side.
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
The singer is encouraging the person to take the things that may have broken them and to learn from them in order to grow and excel.
All your life
The singer is acknowledging that the person has been through difficulties for their entire life.
You were only waiting for this moment to arise.
The artist is suggesting that everything the person has been through has led up to this point, and the person is poised for great things.
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
The artist is encouraging the person to see the beauty in things, despite having faced difficulties and trouble seeing the lighter side.
You were only waiting for this moment to be free.
Reinforcing the earlier point, the singer is suggesting that this moment is the culmination of all the person's experiences, and that this is the moment where they are truly free to succeed.
Blackbird fly Blackbird fly
The singer is once again addressing the blackbird but now urging it to take flight and achieve greatness.
Into the light of the dark black night.
The artist is urging the person to take advantage of even the toughest situations and to find the light even in the darkest moments.
Writer(s): Lennon John Winston, Mccartney Paul James
Contributed by Miles V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jay W
You can really hear the strain in Bobby's voice , I don't know how he was able to perform on this night
Daniel Vertino
He was like that here in Buffalo Ny 8-20-95, it was a sad time for all of us..
Obi Wan Jabroni
I was at this show as an 18 year old. Was standing next to Weir’s wife / girlfriend. Very emotional show.
Chas
wow. Can you share more? I can't imagine the feeling in the air that night.
Philip Shirk
Wish there was a video of this performance
Daniel Vertino
He opened with it when I saw Bob Weir 8-20-95
Grateful Shed
Rest In Peace Mr. Jerry Garcia , this was the day Jerry passed 8/9/95 , you know our love will not fade away ..... Blackbird fly , you were only waiting for this moment to be free ~
Roger Wilco
@deadahead100 As a tribute to his brother. As therapy for the fans and himself. What good is music if it can't help in times of pain and loss? It was a noble thing to do.
Daniel Vertino
Beautiful ...
beachdog67
@deadahead100 I was backstage at Winterland the night word came of Janis Joplin's death; the band took the decision to go ahead with the show. Why? Because that's what's to do. You get up there and you do the show. You give the folks the best performance you can. It's called "professionalism". And frankly, his (her) memory deserved no less.