The band consists of singer-songwriter and guitarist Ted Leo, guitarist James Canty, bassist Marty 'Violence' Key, and drummer Chris Wilson. After his previous band, Chisel, broke up in the late 1990s, Ted recorded the Tej Leo(?) Rx Pharmacists [sic] album in 1999, followed by the Treble in Trouble EP in 2000.
His next album, 2001's The Tyranny of Distance, quickly gained him a cult following and critical praise. Dave Lerner and Chris Wilson became permanent members of the band during the tour that year, as did keyboard player Dorien Garry. James Canty (ex-Nation of Ulysses, Make-Up, etc.) also played with the band during this time.
The album Hearts of Oak followed in 2003, which also saw the release of the concert film Dirty Old Town and the Tell Balgeary, Balgury is Dead EP. Garry left the band before the recording of 2004's Shake the Sheets, which has led them into their current setup as a power trio. The new record featured fewer obscure references and more overt political content than his previous releases did, though his music has always been known for its engagement with politics.
The band tours extensively around North America. Leo is a strict vegan. His brother Chris Leo is also a singer/songwriter and a member of The Lapse. Ted Leo graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1994 with a degree in English.
The Gold Finch and the Red Oak Tree
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists Lyrics
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A golden finch came winging my way
And sang to me a song of my country
And words of life from city and sea
Golden finch, your song is your love
And you will sing forever above
Golden finch, alight in your loft
While she did wing through aerial places
A red oak tree grew under her feet
And when the world had started its taking
She lit amongst its loftier leaves
Golden finch, alight in your loft
You have learned and oh, you have taught
Red oak tree, will carry your loss
When you alone can't carry that cross
The lyrics of Ted Leo and the Pharmacists' song The Gold Finch and the Red Oak Tree tells the story of a person walking through the city on a Saturday when a golden finch comes to him and starts singing about his country and the words of life from city and sea. The golden finch's song represents love which it will keep singing forever above. Through the finch's journey, it encounters a red oak tree growing under its feet. As the world started taking, the finch landed among the tree's loftier leaves. The red oak tree represents the support system in life that carries our losses when we alone can't carry that cross.
The song's lyrics are metaphoric and resonates with life's experiences that they can be seen as something bigger and meaningful as it portrays the finch's journey and the red oak tree's support. The song also reminds us to be grateful for every aspect of life, be it love, support, or the words of wisdom that we learn along the way, as expressed in the lyrics, "Where I have learned and oh, you have taught."
Line by Line Meaning
As I did walk through cities one Saturday
On a Saturday, I was walking through cities.
A golden finch came winging my way
A golden finch flew towards me.
And sang to me a song of my country
The golden finch sang a song about my country.
And words of life from city and sea
The song contained words about life in both the city and the sea.
Golden finch, your song is your love
The song of the golden finch is its expression of love.
And you will sing forever above
The golden finch will continue to sing its song forever in the sky.
Golden finch, alight in your loft
Golden finch, land in your home.
Where I have learned and oh, you have taught
Where I have learned and you have taught me.
While she did wing through aerial places
She flew through the air.
A red oak tree grew under her feet
A red oak tree grew where she landed.
And when the world had started its taking
When the world began to take things away.
She lit amongst its loftier leaves
She landed among the tree's higher leaves.
Golden finch, alight in your loft
Golden finch, land in your home.
You have learned and oh, you have taught
You have both learned and taught.
Red oak tree, will carry your loss
The red oak tree will bear the golden finch's loss.
When you alone can't carry that cross
When the golden finch can no longer bear that burden alone.
Contributed by Alexander M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.