Birds
Shawn Mullins & Matthew Kahler Lyrics

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Lover, there will be another one
Who'll hover over you beneath the sun
Tomorrow see the things that never come
Today

When you see me
Fly away without you
Shadow on the things you know

Feathers fall around you
And show you the way to go
It's over, it's over.

Nestled in your wings my little one
This special morning brings another sun
Tomorrow see the things that never come
Today

When you see me
Fly away without you
Shadow on the things you know
Feathers fall around you

And show you the way to go
It's over, it's over.

Overall Meaning

The song "Birds" by Shawn Mullins and Matthew Kahler speaks of the fleeting nature of love and life. The opening lines suggest that despite the intensity and depth of the lover's feelings, there will always be another person who will come along to replace them. The metaphor of birds is used throughout the song to embody the transitory nature of love and life.

The chorus reinforces the message of impermanence, with the repetition of "fly away without you" and "it's over." The singer is leaving the relationship behind and encouraging the other person to do the same. The image of feathers falling around the person and showing them "the way to go" could be interpreted as a symbol of renewal and the opportunity to start again.

Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of sadness and acceptance of the inevitability of change. The idea that tomorrow will bring things that never came today reinforces the theme of impermanence.

Line by Line Meaning

Lover, there will be another one
Addressing a lover, there will be a replacement who will stay with him/her

Who'll hover over you beneath the sun
The replacement will stay with the lover and hover over him/her under the sun

Tomorrow see the things that never come
The future holds unexpected events that one cannot plan for

Today
Live in the present and cherish what you have

When you see me
When I leave you

Fly away without you
I will leave without you

Shadow on the things you know
The aftermath of my departure will cast a shadow on the things you are familiar with

Feathers fall around you
In the midst of chaos, there is beauty around you

And show you the way to go
The beauty around you will guide you in the right direction

It's over, it's over.
The relationship has ended and there is no going back

Nestled in your wings my little one
The lover's partner protected him/her and made them feel safe