http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4721675&ps=rs
The Lord God Bird
Sufjan Stevens Lyrics
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It's the Great God Bird with its altar call.
And the sewing machine, the industrial god,
On the great bayou where they saw it fall,
It's the Great God Bird down in Arkansas.
And the hunters beware or the fishers fall,
It's the great God Bird through it all.
And the waters beware 'less they see it fall,
And paradise might laugh when at last it falls.
And the sewing machine, the industrial god,
And it's the great God Bird with its altar call.
Yes, it's the great God Bird with its altar call.
Yes, it's the great God Bird through it all.
The Lord God Bird by Sufjan Stevens is a tribute to what is known as the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, or the Great God Bird, a species that was thought to be extinct until unconfirmed sightings were reported in the early 2000s. The song paints a picture of the bird's natural habitat in the delta sun of Arkansas, where it makes its altar call, a reference to the bird's distinctive call which is said to resemble a trumpet or a clear whistle. The lyrics also mention the industrialization of the area, with the sewing machine and the industrial god, which may have contributed to the bird's decline in numbers.
The song is a commentary on the fragility of paradise and the need for preservation of the natural world. The "hunters" and "fishers" are warned to beware or "paradise might close from its safe flight flawed." The "waters" are also warned to be cautious or "paradise might laugh when at last it falls." The Great God Bird is portrayed as a symbol of this fragile paradise, and its existence is linked to the preservation of the environment in which it thrives.
Line by Line Meaning
In the delta sun down in Arkansas,
The events taking place in the setting of the delta sun located in Arkansas.
It's the Great God Bird with its altar call.
The Great God Bird is making its call of worship.
And the sewing machine, the industrial god,
The sewing machine is referred to as the industrial god.
On the great bayou where they saw it fall,
The Great God Bird was seen falling in the great bayou.
It's the Great God Bird down in Arkansas.
The Great God Bird is located in Arkansas.
And the hunters beware or the fishers fall,
Those who hunt or fish should be cautious, or they might face consequences.
And paradise might close from its safe flight flawed.
Paradise, or a perfect world, can be shattered by a flaw in the Great God Bird's safe flight.
It's the great God Bird through it all.
The Great God Bird is present through all events occurring in the area.
And the waters beware 'less they see it fall,
Water should also be cautious, or they might see the Great God Bird fall.
And paradise might laugh when at last it falls.
Paradise might laugh when the Great God Bird falls, indicating that paradise is disturbed with its fall.
Yes, it's the great God Bird with its altar call.
Again, the Great God Bird is making its call of worship.
Yes, it's the great God Bird through it all.
The Great God Bird is omnipresent throughout all events occurring in the area.
Contributed by David B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@LolaSebastian
I will never get over this not getting an official release
@unofficialsufjanstevens7829
I mean...it has a semi-official release. It's free as a download from NPR. They commissioned it for a story. No single or vinyl pressing, but at least we have a good release of this, as opposed to Majesty Snowbird.
@LolaSebastian
@@unofficialsufjanstevens7829 thank you for this info!!
@dmoney1324
I’ve been wondering that for over decade. This is possibly his best song.
@avocadoman3
Such a sad song. That last banjo strum, I imagine it represents the last ivory-billed woodpecker taking flight, never to be seen again.
@ethanwc
The bird just was declared distinct today. Kinda depressing.
@The_Not_So_Great_Cornholio
Distinct?
@kreatywnanazwa1240
Sufjan: It's the great god bird.
Music video: walking ant
@unofficialsufjanstevens7829
Can't be too literal.
@jessealmonds
found this channel from the Sufjan Reddit absolutely love it. i love listening to his unreleased and live performances