After accepting Christ in sixth grade, Groves developed a passion for excellence in every aspect of his life. He dedicated himself to practice his music with a newfound intensity, which resulted in his catapult from last chair to first chair in the school band within months. Groves' drive and determination would eventually lead him to attend and graduate from Baylor University with a bachelor's degree in music composition on a full-ride private music scholarship.
The enthusiasm that drove Groves to excel at music was also evident in his overwhelming eagerness to share his new relationship with Christ. That eagerness was exhibited through his work at the Methodist Children's Home while in college and his current volunteer youth work at his home congregation of First Baptist Church in Franklin, Tennessee.
Groves' music and ministry are tightly entwined in his life. In fact, his straightforward and inspiring lyrics have proved to be useful even to his church pastor, who has often used Groves' songs in tandem with his sermons. Many of the songs on the album were written specifically for this purpose, drawing listeners to Christ's message of hope and redemption and challenging them to action.
Soon after college graduation Groves moved to Nashville, married his college sweetheart and landed a job with a music publisher in one month's time. His job with the publishing company eventually led to a development deal with the publisher and a record deal with Rocketown Records in 2000.
Hummingbird
Shaun Groves Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Feels like all the worlds a cage
Worked up, run down
In this race to earn a wage
Something inside
Tells me I was made to
Split the sky
So tell me why I'm
Chorus:
Living like a hummingbird
Getting nowhere fast from all my work
If you've got one eye on the sparrow, Lord
Could you spare one for the hummingbird?
Dead lines, this grind
Got me beating against the wind
Want more from life
Than just spinning around and getting by
Not satisfied just
Living like a hummingbird
(hungry for the blue)
Getting nowhere fast from all my work
(stuck inside this view)
If you've got one eye on the sparrow, Lord
(I'm standing still for you)
Could you spare one for the hummingbird?
Save me from this discontenting
Never ending, spirit bending
Pattern, I go round and round and
Round and round and round again
Yea I'm stuck inside this circle I just
Know there's better out there because
I can feel it in my wings, so I sing
I'm a hummingbird
(hungry for the blue)
Getting nowhere fast from all my work
(stuck inside this view)
If you've got one eye on the sparrow, Lord
(I'm standing still for you)
Could you spare one for the hummingbird?
(hungry for the blue)
Could you spare one for the hummingbird?
(Save the hummingbird)
Save the hummingbird
(Save the hummingbird)
Save the hummingbird
(Save the hummingbird)
Save the hummingbird, hummingbird, yeah
The lyrics of Shaun Groves's song "Hummingbird" paint a picture of feeling trapped and tethered in the daily grind of life. The opening lines depict the sense of being caged, unable to fly free, and the frustration of chasing after a wage. What stands out in this song is the use of the hummingbird as a metaphor for the human experience. Hummingbirds are known for their agility, speed, and beauty, and in the song, they represent the limitless potential and vibrancy that can be found within us.
The chorus is a plea for the sparrow, a bird traditionally used as a symbol of God's care and protection, to spare a glance at the hummingbird. The hummingbird is "hungry for the blue," a line that speaks of the longing for something more, something beyond the mundane. The singer of the song is asking to be saved from the never-ending grind that is breaking his spirit and limiting his flights.
The last section of the song shifts the focus from the frustrations of being stuck to the hope of finding a way out. The hummingbird's wings are a symbol of the potential for growth and change. These lyrics suggest that the singer knows that change is necessary, but he cannot do it alone. He pleads with the divine, imploring it to save the hummingbird, which may also be interpreted as himself.
Line by Line Meaning
Feathered, tethered
Feeling like my wings are clipped and I'm not able to fly freely
Feels like all the worlds a cage
The world is restricting me and I feel trapped
Worked up, run down
Feeling stressed and exhausted from constant work
In this race to earn a wage
I'm in a never-ending cycle of working just to make money
Something inside
My intuition is telling me
Tells me I was made to
I have a purpose to fulfill
Split the sky
I am meant to soar and achieve greatness
Chorus:
Refrain
Living like a hummingbird
Living life in a fast-paced, frenzied manner without achieving anything substantial
Getting nowhere fast from all my work
Working hard but not achieving progress or fulfillment
If you've got one eye on the sparrow, Lord
If you are paying attention to the small details and caring for them, God
Could you spare one for the hummingbird?
Could you also pay attention to and care for me?
Dead lines, this grind
Dealing with repetitive, monotonous tasks
Got me beating against the wind
I feel like I'm fighting against an invisible force
Want more from life
I want to achieve greater things and have more fulfillment in life
Than just spinning around and getting by
I don't want to just go through the motions and survive, I want to thrive
Not satisfied just
I am not content with just
Save me from this discontenting
Help me overcome this feeling of dissatisfaction
Never ending, spirit bending
This cycle of dissatisfaction is never ending and wears me down emotionally
Pattern, I go round and round and
I keep repeating the same actions and getting the same unsatisfactory results
Round and round and round again
The cycle seems never-ending
Yea I'm stuck inside this circle I just
I feel trapped in this cycle
Know there's better out there because
I am aware that there is a better way to live
I can feel it in my wings, so I sing
I have a sense of hope and optimism that I express through song
Could you spare one for the hummingbird?
Again, could you please care for me as well?
Save the hummingbird
Help me break free from my monotonous, unfulfilling life
hummingbird, yeah
Reiteration of the plea for help
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: SHAUN GROVES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind