Lazarus Man
Terry Callier Lyrics


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And for my opening line
I'm not trying to indicate my state of mind.
I turn you on,
I tell you that I'm laughing just to keep from crying
Pretty music when you hear it,
Keep on trying to get near it.
A little rhythm for your spirit
Oh but that's what it's for
Come on in, here's the door

And I've seen a sparrow get high
And waste his time in the sky
He thinks it's easy to fly
He's just a little bit freer than I

Now here's a mystery
And maybe you can help to make it clear to me
When you're fast asleep
Then what is it that's lighting up the dreams you see
Only your tears can't conceal it
And only your prayers may not reveal it
You've got soul so you can feel it
And when you make the scene
Well you know what I mean

Hey, I've seen a sparrow get high
And waste his time in the sky
He thinks it's easy to fly
He's just a little bit freer than I

Down here on the ground
When you find folks are giving you the runaround
Keep your game uptight
And if you must just take your secrets underground
Now politicians are trying to speech you
Mad color watchers are trying to teach you
Very few will really try to reach you
If you're lost in a stack
That's OK, come all black

Now I'd be the last to deny
That I'm just an average guy
And don't you know each little bird in the sky
Is just a little bit freer than I

Hey ordinary Joe
Although they say you're just a lazy so-and-so
What they think is real
Is nothing but an animated puppet show
So don't let time and space confuse you
And don't let name and form abuse you
Let that Big Joe Williams blues you
In the light of the sun you can see how they burn

Oh I've seen a sparrow get high
And waste his time in the sky




He thinks it's easy to fly
He's just a little bit freer than i

Overall Meaning

The song "Lazarus Man" by Terry Callier is a deep and thought-provoking composition that speaks of the struggles to find freedom and meaning in life. The opening line, "I'm not trying to indicate my state of mind," sets the tone for the ambiguity and uncertainty that lies within. The singer tries to keep a happy facade in front of others by laughing when he really feels like crying. The lyrics then communicate the idea that music can become a source of inspiration and energy for one's soul, and invite the listener to enjoy this rhythm by opening the door to their inner realm.


The metaphor of the sparrow that flies effortlessly in the sky is used throughout the song to signify the quest for freedom. The singer acknowledges that the bird might be "a little bit freer than I" and the lines "he thinks it's easy to fly" evoke the difficulties one can encounter while aspiring for greater heights. Amidst the political and social turmoil that surrounds us, the song suggests the need to hold on to one's inner self and value the small moments of life that make it worthwhile. In the end, the song encourages the listener to remain true to themselves and to allow the world to take them where it may.


Line by Line Meaning

And for my opening line I'm not trying to indicate my state of mind.
I'm not revealing my emotions or thoughts with this initial statement.


I turn you on, I tell you that I'm laughing just to keep from crying Pretty music when you hear it, Keep on trying to get near it. A little rhythm for your spirit Oh but that's what it's for Come on in, here's the door
I'm using music as a way to bring joy and positivity into your life. Just keep listening, it'll get better.


And I've seen a sparrow get high And waste his time in the sky He thinks it's easy to fly He's just a little bit freer than I
I've seen a bird fly effortlessly in the sky, and envy its freedom compared to my own limitations.


Now here's a mystery And maybe you can help to make it clear to me When you're fast asleep Then what is it that's lighting up the dreams you see Only your tears can't conceal it And only your prayers may not reveal it You've got soul so you can feel it And when you make the scene Well you know what I mean
I'm wondering what drives us in our dreams when our conscious minds are not awake to perceive it. Our emotions are powerful and can reveal our innermost selves in ways our words cannot.


Hey, I've seen a sparrow get high And waste his time in the sky He thinks it's easy to fly He's just a little bit freer than I
I see birds flying in the sky, living without restrictions, and I'm envious of their freedom.


Down here on the ground When you find folks are giving you the runaround Keep your game uptight And if you must just take your secrets underground Now politicians are trying to speech you Mad color watchers are trying to teach you Very few will really try to reach you If you're lost in a stack That's OK, come all black
When life is hard, stay strong and don't let others bring you down. Keep your secrets to yourself if necessary, and know that not everyone trying to influence you has your best interests at heart.


Now I'd be the last to deny That I'm just an average guy And don't you know each little bird in the sky Is just a little bit freer than I
I'm not special; I'm just like everyone else. Even small birds who can fly through the sky are freer than I am.


Hey ordinary Joe Although they say you're just a lazy so-and-so What they think is real Is nothing but an animated puppet show So don't let time and space confuse you And don't let name and form abuse you Let that Big Joe Williams blues you In the light of the sun you can see how they burn
You may feel ordinary, but don't believe what others say about you. Reality is often not what it seems, and people can try to manipulate you. Let the music of Big Joe Williams inspire you and see the truth in the light of day.


Oh I've seen a sparrow get high And waste his time in the sky He thinks it's easy to fly He's just a little bit freer than i
I've seen birds in flight, and it makes me realize how restrictive my life is by comparison.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: N PEEJAY, JAE JIN PARK, KYUNG WOOK CHOI, TERRENCE O CALLIER, HYUN BAE LEE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Daniele Brunengo

How on Earth can such an artist be so little known by the general public. We live in a grotesque world.

Mike Smith

we do, we do. Let us make it better.

David Bolaños

Exactly exactly and exactly

jack goldberg

i'm sure such an artist loves it when you call the world grotesque. i think its a wonderful world

John Glenn

Terry's story really is like the phoenix. Packed it in in the late 70s when his career stalled. Studied computer science. Worked in IT. Then Eddie Pillar from Acid Jazz played I Don't Want to See Myself (Without You) & had to find this unknown star. Had a great 2nd career until his death. RIP Terry.

Daniele Brunengo

@John Glenn He worked in IT??? Cripes, I work in IT. I sing like a piece of shit, though.

4 More Replies...

DdraigGoch84

That “I ain’t been to sleep…” bit ALWAYS but always gets me. There’s never been so much horror in a lyric ever written.

RIP Terry

Ramble On

I’m an European living in USA now. Mid to late 90’s my uncle gave me a cassette (an album) of Terry Callier. Was blown away!!! Was shocked that almost no one ever heard of this wonderful musician here in the USA. Some people are creating something amazing in their existence but never got proper recognition. Sad…

Barbara Coxbey

My brother best Friend! From
Old Town in Chicago Illinois,
I met Him and His Music is
still played Daily at my Brother's
apartment. Whenever Terry came
to Chicago they would Be together. Such a Dynamic Man
who had Gift that wasn't Recognized, now He's an Icon !

fweela

there’s few artists that i can say i enjoy live renditions as much if not more than there original song, terry callier was a genius, rest in peace ❤

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