The band formed when four folks crossed paths in historical country music town, Johnson City, Tennessee, the site of the Ralph Stanley's first recording with the Stanley Brothers, and today's Bluegrass and Country Music Program at East Tennessee State University. Singer/songwriter guitarist Martha Scanlan and mandolinist Thomas Sneed moved to the heart of Appalachia from West of the Mississippi after hearing about the region's music while playing bluegrass in Europe. Fiddler and dancer Heidi Andrade came to the region from California with her husband, banjoist Roy Andrade, a native of Asheville, North Carolina. In the winter of 2002 Bristol, Tennessee native and bassist Brandon Story joined the band. Even before the Reeltime Travelers played together, each had a love for mountain music and a passion to learn the stories behind it. They continue to do fieldwork, interviewing old musicians, uncovering forgotten tunes, and in their shows and children's workshops, passing along the traditions they've collected.
The Reeltime Travelers bring five individual voices together to mine a common well of American roots music. Traveling the country, keeping old tunes alive and expanding the canon of Old-time songs, the Reeltime Travelers show a reverence for tradition while creating their own Old-Time Reeltime Americana music.
Like A Songbird That Has Fallen
Reeltime Travelers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Angels are around us flying, truth and mercy to receive
Pictures of uncommon nature, painted by a masters hand
Draw me ever on life's journey, rendered thus to understand
As a songbird that is fallen, only to regain the sky
From this frozen shadow valley, lay my sweary head
Warms the bitter heart and heartache, till the east of Eden's gone
Clouds of fear and misconception, wax and wane as if the moon
So is in a sense forsaken, till the will of God be known
As a songbird that is fallen, only to regain the sky
From this frozen shadow valley, lay my sweary head
The lyrics of "Like A Songbird That Has Fallen" by Reeltime Travelers portrays the idea that everyone has their own path in life that they must follow, and with the help of angels, they will receive truth and mercy. The first line of the song provides the gospel-like message that there are paths for everyone, and the singer believes in this. The concept of angels is also introduced, which serve as guides to assist individuals on their journey.
The second half of the first stanza speaks about uncommon features of life that are painted by a master's hand. This can be interpreted as the idea that everything in life happens for a reason, and it is a part of a higher power's design. The singer is guided through life's journey to gain an understanding of it. The chorus of the song expresses the idea that just like a songbird falls but continues to fly, one might also fall but can rise again. The "frozen shadow valley" can be understood as a challenging obstacle or a dark period in one's life.
The second stanza paints a picture of the warmth of love and how it can heal bitter hearts and heartaches. Like the sun, love is ever-calling and faithful. The stanza also touches upon the idea of fear and misinformation. People are afraid and confused because they do not understand the will of God. There is a sense of forlornness in this line, which is then followed by the chorus again. The usage of "songbird" in both choruses can be seen as a metaphor for life's journey. It starts with a fall, but with perseverance, one can rise again.
Line by Line Meaning
Paths are there for us to follow, this is gospel I believe
I believe that there are set paths for us to follow in life, like a gospel.
Angels are around us flying, truth and mercy to receive
Angels are always surrounding us, ready to receive truth and mercy.
Pictures of uncommon nature, painted by a masters hand
Unusual and unique images are painted by a master's skilled hand.
Draw me ever on life's journey, rendered thus to understand
May my life's journey be explained to me skillfully, so that I understand it fully.
As a songbird that is fallen, only to regain the sky
Like a bird that has fallen, I will rise again to great heights.
From this frozen shadow valley, lay my sweary head
In this cold, dark and hopeless place, I lay my weary head.
Love is from no distance calling, faithful as the rising sun
Love has no distance limit and is as faithful as the rising sun.
Warms the bitter heart and heartache, till the east of Eden's gone
Love will heal any bitterness or heartache until there is no pain left.
Clouds of fear and misconception, wax and wane as if the moon
Fear and misunderstanding come and go like the phases of the moon.
So is in a sense forsaken, till the will of God be known
We sometimes feel abandoned until we understand and accept the will of God.
As a songbird that is fallen, only to regain the sky
Like a bird that has fallen, I will rise again to great heights.
From this frozen shadow valley, lay my sweary head
In this cold, dark and hopeless place, I lay my weary head.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management
Written by: BOB NEUWIRTH, HENRY BURNETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@whozis2
This song carries me back to my mountain childhood in a small mining town in the hills of eastern Kentucky, in the Appalachian foothills. Oh, Lord, the memories! Dear, loving mother who cared for eight children when her husband up and left with another woman. The hard times and the good times, but most of all the love shared in our little mountain family. Mother long gone, and five brothers departed in recent years. My heart holds them every so close, and closer still as my time approaches.
@rangerpl2636
If this song doesn't take you back to another time and place, then nothing will.
@Stablilized4
Like others, I had trouble deciphering all the lyrics. I found a site on the web where someone reported checking with the woman who actually sang this song, and these are the reported lyrics (which, by the way, sound exactly right to me):
Paths are there for us to follow, this is gospel I believe. Angels are around us flying, truth and mercy to receive . Pictures of uncommon nature, painted by a master's hand , draw us ever on life's journey, rendered thus to understand. Like a songbird that has fallen, only to regain the sky , from this frozen shadow valley may my spirit fly. Love is from no distance calling, faithful as the rising sun, warms the bitter stone of heartache, til the least of it is gone . Clouds of fear and misconception wax and wane, as if the moon . So is innocence forsaken, til the will of God be known . Like a songbird that has fallen, only to regain the sky, from this frozen shadow valley may my spirit fly .
@airycages
The second line of the chorus is "From this frozen shadow valley they must be revived."
@chuckjeffery944
Lovely!
@MyMoppet52
Chuck Jeffery
So glad you enjoyed, Moppet
@clayforge4696
May god bless those who are singin this beautiful song
@wsmith4906
Great song! Unfortunately the words are hard to understand. Without the printed lyrics I could barely decipher a half dozen words.
@pattycrompton9040
beautifully presented
no problem understand
@fetermcblues
wonderful