Bird Dog
Shaman's Harvest Lyrics


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Thereβ€²s a black bird
Perched up on a black dog
And they're plotting your demise
Lazing in the backyard

And thereβ€²s an old man
Keeps his money in his old bed
And he ain't handing out no prize
Just takes it to his death bed
He ain't waiting for no prize
Just takes it to his death bed

Bring out a rose, put down a rose
Lay down a rose in the cemetery
Bring out a rose, put down a rose
Lay down a rose in the cemetery

Thereβ€²s a dirt road
Leading up to a dirt farm
The only harvest to the table
From the pills made in the bathtub

And thereβ€²s a warrior
His old buddies call him Gunny
Keeps his honor in a lockbox
Locked up in the basement
Keeps all his honor in a lockbox
Locked up in the basement

Bring out your guns, put down your guns
Lay down your guns in the cemetery
Bring out your guns, put down your guns
Lay down your guns in the cemetery

If you ever
Find yourself in Franklin County
Won't you turn on back?
Or you wonβ€²t leave here above ground

'Cause thereβ€²s a monster
It's feeding on the essence
Oh, of every goddamned soul
And never gets its fill
Oh, of every goddamned soul
And never gets its fill

Bring out your dead, put down your dead
Lay down the dead in the cemetery
Bring out your dead, put down your dead
Lay down the dead in the cemetery

Bring out a rose, put down your guns
Lay down the dead in the cemetery




Bring out a rose, put down your guns
Lay down the dead in the cemetery

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Shaman's Harvest's song "Bird Dog" paint a dark and ominous picture of a small town where danger lurks around every corner. The song depicts an unsettling world where the innocent and the guilty alike are plotted against and ultimately perish. The opening lines introduce the black dog and the black bird, two ominous animals that seem to be plotting the singer's death. The lyrics then describe an old man who keeps his money secret and takes it to the grave. The song goes on to describe a dirt farm with a raw drug trade, and a warrior who keeps his honor locked up in a basement. It ends with a warning not to visit Franklin County, where a monster feeds on the essence of every soul and never gets its fill.


"Bird Dog" is a haunting and eerie song that is open to interpretation. It describes a town where everyone has their secrets, and nothing is as it seems. The black dog and black bird imagery is particularly unsettling, as it could signify a metaphorical battle of good versus evil. The lyrics about the drug trade on the dirt farm and the warrior's locked-up honor add to the dark and brooding atmosphere.


Line by Line Meaning

There's a black bird
There is a dark presence looming around.


Perched up on a black dog
Perched up on something that is unseen yet dangerous.


And they're plotting your demise
There is something out to get you.


Lazing in the backyard
This dark presence is relaxed and waiting for the right moment.


And there's an old man
There is a wise figure that knows how the world works.


Keeps his money in his old bed
He knows the value of what he has and keeps it in a safe place.


And he ain't handing out no prize
He's not about to give anything away for free.


Just takes it to his death bed
He knows what he wants and he will take it with him to the end.


Bring out a rose, put down a rose
Pay a tribute to the dead.


Lay down a rose in the cemetery
Honor those who have departed.


There's a dirt road
The path ahead is rough and unsettling.


Leading up to a dirt farm
This path leads to something dirty and unpleasant.


The only harvest to the table
The only thing produced is something harmful or destructive.


From the pills made in the bathtub
These pills are made by unscrupulous people with no regard for human life.


And there's a warrior
There is a strong figure, who has seen the worst of the world.


His old buddies call him Gunny
This person has a military background and is well-respected.


Keeps his honor in a lockbox
This person values their honor and will go to great lengths to protect it.


Locked up in the basement
They keep it locked away from others.


Bring out your guns, put down your guns
Give up your weapons.


Lay down your guns in the cemetery
Violence will only lead to death.


If you ever
If you are ever in a certain place.


Find yourself in Franklin County
If you find yourself in a dangerous situation.


Won't you turn on back?
It is wise to turn back and not face the danger ahead.


Or you won't leave here above ground
If you keep walking on this path, you will not survive.


Cause there's a monster
There is a terrible evil waiting for you.


It's feeding on the essence
This monster is gaining strength from your presence.


Oh, of every goddamned soul
It doesn't matter who you are, this monster will take from you.


And never gets its fill
This monster is insatiable, it will never be satisfied.


Bring out your dead, put down your dead
Pay respect to those who have gone before you.


Lay down the dead in the cemetery
Recognize that death is a part of life and must be honored.


Bring out a rose, put down your guns
Let go of violence and embrace love.


Lay down the dead in the cemetery
Recognize that every life has value and should be honored.




Writer(s): Joshua Hamler, Nathaniel Hunt

Contributed by Hannah R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@jasonvandever7029

Holy shit this song hits hard. Pure gold from these guys, as always.

@justinmyers2529

It's you care a demon on your back feeding on the devil

@titanmasterxd6329

@Todd McKean better than every rap song made in this shit hole of a decade.

@Coast_dweller_of_DayZ_Temp

@Titan MasterXD shithole of a decade indeed

@thetinfoilhatmanbandcarava4003

You know that feeling when you find a song that you just gotta listen to over again and again- well shit this is the song

@keithbubb730

You are the old man

@micheller-f6566

I've had that experience with several of their songs..In Chains was one and it also qualified as one of those songs you can never hear LOUD enough!

@Coast_dweller_of_DayZ_Temp

@skeieMichelle Friedlisi so true love In Chains

@QueenofArgyle2525

Well, yes, I do.

@simoc.3854

@Keith Bubb} p b n y 6 66 2 i

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