FAWM: "Whirlybird"

Whirlybird

1 week ago by @phylo

Whirlybird

phylo

00:00

Liner Notes

I recently took a “free writing” class, which turned out not to be free, but it did teach me how to write without walls. No censor, no second-guessing, no furniture to trip over. A few days later, one of those old Bell helicopters passed over the house. The word whirlybird popped into my head. That’s what we called them when we were kids.

It stuck with me. There’s something about that view from above, circling instead of charging forward. The idea of stepping back far enough to watch your own life take shape, and maybe understand it a little more kindly. I started 'free writing' about this with every intention of giving a bit more structure... but then that would defeat the idea, I suppose. #singersongwriter #acoustic #harmonica #pop

Lyrics

I'd like to fly off in a whirlybird, to a place that I've never been Where the sycamores hold simple conversations with the wind The map of my regrets dissolves into the canopy below

My father wore the same wool coat for thirty years ’til it frayed I inherit his reluctance to abandon what has served me But the whirlybird teaches me, staying aloft means letting go

You asked me once what I would save if the house caught fire I couldn't name a single object that wouldn't turn to ash anyway now I understand the question was about what I've been carrying

The red-tailed hawk adjusts its wings according to the currents I've been rigid as an old oak through every gale and transformation While the cottonwood bends and survives another season

From the whirlybird I see the orchard where my daughter learned to walk The tributary that changed its course after the flood of eighty-nine An how the land accepts its shape without grieving the old

I'd like to fly off in a whirlybird, to become acquainted with the man Who watches his own life from a distance, and kind enough to forgive it Who sees that adaptation isn't betrayal, but a different form of faith From the whirlybird, I finally see

Comments

@ruby 3d

This is beautiful, wistful, hopeful and accepting. Love everything about this, the picking, harmonica, the melody the words and the classic vocal. “I couldn’t name a single object that wouldn’t turn to ash anyway..” just one of the many great lines.

@jorh 3d

This is such a great lyric - grounded in the ponderings of life, but packed full of wonderful imagery. So many fab lines but I especially digged the 3rd verse! Feels like a timeless classic, and the harmonica was the icing on the cake

@quork 4d

Beautiful song and demo. Big time Neil feels. The words, guitar, harp and vocals come together gorgeously.

@nancyrostMod 5d

Inspired for sure ... love this perspective and the way it moves. I like the use of space and how the harmonica completes the sung phrases. It may not be all that structured, but it moves to a satisfying last verse for sure.

@phylo 5d

Thanks, Nancy. I'm happy the muse had a nice visit.

@cts 6d

Phil - this is excellent storytelling. Top shelf narrative with accompaniment. Beautifully and tenderly rendered. It’s moving. It’s engaging. And you should be mighty proud of this one, Chief. Love that harp playing, too. Blessed.

@phylo 5d

I am pretty proud of this one, thanks, Craig.

@danieldeshon 1w

This song really took me along for the ride! Enjoyed the lyrics and the fun beat kind of skipping along. Wonderful harp playing and percussion added a lot to the drive of this. Well done!

@grayland 1w

That guitar n harmonica intro was awesome!!! I LOVE this song!!! Your vocals remind me of Paul Simon. So very excellent, so good to listen to!! Your lyrics are extraordinary. Too many great lines to list here but...damn!! I called copters whirlybirds when I was a kid...it's oddly nostalgic to hear you sing about it... This is a fantastic song, great guitar and harmonica, awesome vocals, top notch performance... Bravo!!

@phylo 1w

Wow, thanks Gary. You're very kind.

@mctown 1w

Interesting lyric.... free writing is fun sometimes for sure....

@phylo 1w

Thanks David.

@vince_link 1w

Oh, what a warm guitar tone! I love that. And as soon as the harmonica came in I had strong Neil Young vibes. And even your voice has some slight similarity to Mr. Young. It is well recorded. And I like that 60s hard panning stereo approach. That sounds different nowadays.

Thank you for your nice words, for commenting on my "Change your ways".

@phylo 1w

I get the Neil reference at least once per FAWM, I'll wear that badge proudly. Thanks.