Redbird

Pat Grigadean

May 14, 2016

This is one of those songs that came during that stage between sleep and awakening. It was written for my friend, Joanie, whose father always called her Redbird because of her mane of thick, red hair. During the time the song was written, she was having a hard time finding a man who could fully appreciate her beauty, wit, and intelligence. I think the song was to give her hope and to tell her that Jabo and I would always be there for her. The happy ending is that she did meet the man of her dreams - a man who really does know the songs she sings - and they have been happily married for many years.

Fly, little redbird, fly away fast!
Fly, little redbird, and be free at last
From the hunters who’re trying to clip your wings
And they can’t even hear how the redbird sings.

Sail up above the world so high
Stretch your red wings and touch the sky
The earth turns beneath you as you look down
And you wear the sun as your golden crown

Don’t cry, little redbird, if you fly alone
Be true to your course; keep heading for home
For the winds keep on changing and one day they’ll bring
Someone who hears all the songs that you sing.

And the time is not wasted that you sail along
Stretching your wings and learning your song
And whenever you’re tired, come rest in my tree
And sing all your sweet redbird songs to me.

Don’t cry, little redbird, if you fly alone
Be true to your course; keep heading for home
For the winds keep on changing and one day they’ll bring
Someone who knows all the songs that you sing.