FAWM: "Hummingbird"

Hummingbird

Liner Notes

I usually start with something on guitar and humm over the top to see what words and melodies might come out. In this instance, nothing was coming apart from “humm” so I googled hummingbirds to find something to base a song on. Just trying to push past early brain blockages to progressing a song.

The words are based on a short parable I found about one hummingbird trying to put out a forest fire while all other creatures just look, baffled or even mocking her ‘pointless’ efforts.

It’s a story about resistance and persistence in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. It’s about doing what you can, no matter how ‘small’. That feels pretty relevant right now.

#folk #indiefolk #gloom #acoustic #lofi #fable #melancholy

Recorded on a second hand Tascam DP008 (with sticky buttons!) using live takes of acoustic instruments and other sounds. No editing or AI involved.

Lyrics

Hummingbird’s wings all against the flames Drop by drop she remains Hummingbird circling back and forth again Drop by drop she fends Drop by drop she tends to flowers scorched by the river’s end They say the heat is too much to stand She keeps doing what she can

Comments

@johnstaples 22h

Your guitar playing is splendid! And your vocals simply perfect for this song! And I really love how you were inspired by that lovely parable and turned this into a spot of hope, a point of light, that helps us all in such dark times. Thank you! It was a privilege to listen!

@lizandthelovelies 1d

Love the text painting in your voice and harmonica/guitar. Love the mood it grows into. i see the whole landscape. Makes me miss summer real bad haha

@quoththellama 2d

This is beautiful. Lyrics, vocal delivery, and instrumentation. The nature sounds in the background added some nice depth and whimsy. Great job

@froggymagee 4d

I, too, usually start with something on the guitar and then hum about until something sticks. Very beautiful picking, and the additional instruments are perfectly placed! Lovely lyrics!

@gabriel 4d

I love the production on this. The melodies are so beautiful. Great song!

@williamjames 4d

A touching story. Small actions against impossible odds rings quite powerful in these times. This music has a sort of hopelessness tied into it. It really conveys the momentous task of the small bird. Powerful.

@danxduran 5d

Beautiful tune. The idea of the humming going into the word hummingbird is so simple, yet so good.

@fb2studios 5d

This is beautiful, really nice guitar and poetic words. The backing instrument gives that feeling of a living Forrest

@heyitsamber 5d

Perfectly done. I've no words, just appreciation.

@andrewthewood 6d

Lovely! Especially the vocal and the little slide guitar bits. Blockage cleared, I hope!

@red_smith 6d

Beautiful, nice work!

@rowleyjohnuk 6d

nice chords on the acoustic gtr and the syncopation. Really good vox , i hear some soft high strings or twinkly synts fx or wind chimes bell trees! ooh nice harmonica!