1) The Choir were a ro… Read Full Bio ↴There have been two bands known as The Choir:
1) The Choir were a rock band in the mid-1960s from Cleveland Ohio, best known for the oft-covered song "It's Cold Outside". With the addition of singer Eric Carmen, they became The Raspberries in 1970. The band consisted of Dann Klawon on rhythm guitar, Dave Smalley on vocals & rhythm guitar, Wally Bryson on vocals, lead guitar, & bass, and Jim Bonfanti on vocals & drums.
2) The Choir (originally The Youth Choir) is an atmospheric alternative Christian rock band, led by Derri Daugherty on guitar and vocals, Steve Hindalong on drums -- who also writes most of the band's lyrics -- and Dan Michaels on lyricon, electric flute and saxophone. Originally formed in Southern California in the early 1980s, the band members moved to the Nashville, Tennessee area in the 1990s. Past members include guitarist Marc Byrd and bass guitarists Michael Sauerbrey, Robin Spurs, Bill Batstone, and the late Tim Chandler.
Each band member also has a depth of musical history outside of The Choir. Hindalong produced four successful City On A Hill albums, writing the well-known song "God of Wonders" with Marc Byrd. Daugherty has been a member of the Christian-alterna-pop-supergroup The Lost Dogs since it started in 1991, and Hindalong joined the group in 2006. Chandler was the bass player for years for Daniel Amos and that band's alter egos The Swirling Eddies, and passed away in 2018. Byrd was a member of Common Children, recorded with his wife Christine Glass as Glassbyrd, and is currently half of the post-rock duo Hammock. Michaels has been a Senior Vice President of Fair Trade Services (formerly INO Records) since 2000.
The Chicken
The Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No tricky ghoul behind the trees
Yeah, I could tell you there is no molester
In the alley
To take a lead pipe to your knee
But you won't believe it 'cause it ain't true
You won't believe it 'cause it ain't true
Trickle crimson when the chicken claws you
I could assure you
You could not be swallowed by the ground
Since we've moved away from L.A.
And I could tell you no child of Jesus will be found
Under rubble somewhere today
But you won't believe it 'cause it ain't true
You won't believe it 'cause it ain't true
Rivers flowing through your precious body blue
Trickle crimson when the chicken claws you
Yes, I could swear it
I will not betray another friend
I've found true love and I've lost an eye
And I might promise never to hurt you again
Cross my contrite heart, hope to die
But you won't believe it 'cause it ain't true
You won't believe it 'cause it ain't true
Rivers flowing through your precious body blue
Trickle crimson when the chicken claws you...
The Choir's song "The Chicken" is a dark and melancholic track that explores themes of denial and the consequences that come with it. The singer starts by claiming that there is no troll in the valley, no tricky ghoul behind the trees, and no molester in the alley that would harm you. However, he acknowledges that nobody believes this to be true. Despite his efforts to paint a beautiful picture, he knows that there are dangers lurking in the shadows which people choose to ignore.
The second verse follows the same theme with the singer denying the possibility of being swallowed by the ground, or finding a child of Jesus under rubble. These examples feel more directed at the listener as if he is warning them about the dangers of denial. The chorus is a tragic reminder that bad things do happen, and you cannot ignore them. Blue rivers flowing through your body depict the life and vitality within you, but when the chicken claws you, the same rivers turn crimson, representing the loss of that life.
The final verse seems introspective, as the singer reflects on his own life. He swears he won't betray a friend since he's found true love, and he's lost an eye, but he knows people won't believe him. The song's eerie colors suggest that maybe the singer is hiding something or running away from his past, and he seems resigned to the fact that people won't believe his promises.
Line by Line Meaning
I could tell you there is no troll in the valley
I am trying to convince you that there are no harmful creatures lurking around in this area
No tricky ghoul behind the trees
I want you to be comforted knowing that there are no scary or mischievous creatures hiding in the woods
Yeah, I could tell you there is no molester in the alley
I want to make you feel safe by saying that no one would harm or assault you in that part of town
To take a lead pipe to your knee
You don't need to worry about getting attacked with a heavy weapon and getting injured in a particular manner
But you won't believe it 'cause it ain't true
You won't be able to trust me because what I am saying is indeed false
Rivers flowing through your precious body blue
Your life force is being drained away, and it's turning blue in color
Trickle crimson when the chicken claws you
If a chicken attacks you, your blood will start flowing out of your wounds
I could assure you
Let me reassure you that this will not happen
You could not be swallowed by the ground
You don't need to worry about the earth opening up and consuming you
Since we've moved away from L.A.
We have moved someplace where this kind of cataclysmic event is unlikely to occur
And I could tell you no child of Jesus will be found
I want to assure you that there will be no loss or harm to children who believe in Jesus
Under rubble somewhere today
They will not be trapped under debris or ruins anywhere as of today
Yes, I could swear it
I promise to make a solemn oath about what I am going to say
I will not betray another friend
I give my word not to deceive someone I know
I've found true love and I've lost an eye
I have experienced both profound love and great loss
And I might promise never to hurt you again
I am telling you that I will try my best not to cause any pain or harm to you henceforth
Cross my contrite heart, hope to die
I earnestly hope to make amends and that I may die if I break my promise
Contributed by Ellie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.