Caine began playing piano at seven and studied with French jazz pianist Bernard Peiffer at 12. He later studied at the University of Pennsylvania where he came under the tutelage of George Crumb. He also gained a greater familiarity with classical music in this period and worked at clubs in Philadelphia.
He played professionally after 1981 and by 1985 had his recording debut with the Rochester-Gerald Veasley band. In the 1980s he moved to New York City where he lives now. He also appeared on a klezmer album with Mickey Katz and played with Don Byron.
His classical training led him toward an homage to Gustav Mahler which won a "Best Mahler album" award. He has also taken on Bach and Wagner.
Blackbird
Uri Caine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
Black bird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life
Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night.
Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night.
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise,
You were only waiting for this moment to arise,
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
The song “Blackbird” by Uri Caine is a reinterpretation of the iconic Beatles track of the same name. The lyrics of the song are poetic and filled with symbolism, making it a song that can be interpreted in many different ways. The theme of the song revolves around hope, freedom, and learning to see the world in a new way. The “blackbird” in the song is a metaphor for the singer’s journey towards self-realization, and the “dead of night” represents a period of darkness and uncertainty in their life.
The line “take these broken wings and learn to fly” suggests that the singer has been hurt or broken in some way, but they are now ready to move on from their past and create a better future for themselves. The lyric “take these sunken eyes and learn to see” can be interpreted in several ways, but it seems to suggest that the singer has been blind or unaware of something important, and they are now ready to see the world in a new light.
The repetition of the phrase “you were only waiting for this moment to arise” reinforces the idea that the singer has been waiting for this moment of change to happen in their life. The song encourages the listener to embrace change, to let go of their past, and to move forward, even if the future seems uncertain. The soaring melody of the song and the repeated chorus of “blackbird fly, blackbird fly into the light of the dark black night” creates a sense of hope and optimism, making this song a timeless classic that still resonates with listeners today.
Line by Line Meaning
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
The bird is singing during a time that is typically associated with darkness and stillness.
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
The bird's wings are damaged, but it must learn to fly despite its limitations.
All your life
The bird has lived its entire existence in this struggle.
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
The bird has been preparing for this opportunity for its entire life and is ready to take flight.
Black bird singing in the dead of night
The repetition of this line serves to emphasize the previous meaning, giving it even greater significance.
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
The bird's eyes are also damaged, but it needs to learn to see despite this challenge.
All your life
Again, the bird has spent its entire existence coping with these difficulties.
You were only waiting for this moment to be free
The moment is one of liberation, highlighting the importance of the bird's journey to reach this point.
Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
This repeated line serves as a call to action for the bird to take flight.
Into the light of the dark black night.
The bird is moving towards enlightenment, eager to explore the potential of the unknown.
All your life
A repetition that underscores the persistence and patience required to achieve success.
You were only waiting for this moment to arise,
The final repetition brings the song to its conclusion, emphasizing the moment of triumph over adversity.
You were only waiting for this moment to arise,
The final repetition brings the song to its conclusion, emphasizing the moment of triumph over adversity.
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
The final repetition brings the song to its conclusion, emphasizing the moment of triumph over adversity.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Tratore
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind