Get all 30 Fred Gillen Jr releases available on Bandcamp and save 50%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Kaaterskill (Winter Instrumentals), Turn Off The Lights, Birds, See The Light, Into the Darkness, All In, If I Woke Up This Morning and Died, If I Woke Up This Morning and Died (Unplugged), and 22 more.
1. |
The Robins Returned
02:52
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after the bombing was over
the robins returned
they flitted and floated around in the rubble
just looking for the bravest worms
looking for the bravest worms
that cafe over there is the place where we sat
the night when we fell in love
now it’s all gone and all that is there
is whatever we choose to remember
after the flood we stood
surveying the ruins
chairs and pianos, cars and appliances
littered the dunes
littered the dunes
we used to walk in the surf hand in hand
our hair intertwined in the afternoon breeze
for hours we’d talk or sing as we walked
or just listen to the sound of the sea
after the plague was cured
we all met in the square
we lit a bonfire and danced all together
and no one was angry or scared
no one was angry or scared
at the end of the night, after we’d cried
and it was just you and me
I took off my mask and we sat and we laughed
as long as you’re here I’m free
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2. |
Birds
03:03
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The birds all scatter
from the tear gas in the air
no more swallows
no more pigeons anywhere
choppers descend
giant buzzards to disperse the crowds
if there were birds you wouldn’t hear them
the choppers are so loud
a few seconds of quiet
after it’s over
and the birds return
marching boots and mean, white faces
like some demented parade
a lone seagull perched on a beam
the only avian witness to the scene
there is no poetry in the truncheon
but birds are poetic even when they’re gone
no one to sing either
victory or funeral song
a few seconds of quiet
after it’s over
and the birds return
they set a curfew
at 8 the people the people go home
but put your head out the window
and you’ll hear that we’re not alone
a few seconds of quiet
after it’s over
and the birds return
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3. |
Spring Turns To Summer
01:32
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for weeks and weeks we woke
to only the sound of bird song
no rush of traffic, no motorcycles
no trucks rumbling in the dawn
the quiet was restful
we became accustomed to hearing the birds
they greeted us each day
quiet yet persistent, more elegant than any words
as Spring turned to Summer
and the State opened up
the highway roared to life
and the noise is frightening
what used to be normal
now sounds like a war
we wake at rush hour
feeling like someone poured cold water
on our once peaceful bed
shocked into consciousness
I will miss the quiet bird song
of lock-down mornings
the cleaner air
the peaceful stir of the wind
in the maples
as we all contemplated life
in the space of unstructured hours
instead of marching lock-step
toward death
amidst the din of clocks
and traffic
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4. |
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he has to wait until
the rabbit is good and dead
watching and hoping that after the eagles eat
there’s something left
searching the sides of the road
for some scrap they left
giant hooded fiends
faces you won’t forget
the vultures are circling
waiting to descend
the blue jays scrap and scream
but they’re pretty to see
the robins peck and sing
and worms hide from the death they bring
searching the fields and streams
for some fish or bone to pick
scary monstrous fiends
waiting to turn a trick
the vultures are circling
waiting to descend
as the turkey awkwardly struts
conspicuous head-bobbling, feathers stirring up dust
clouds a cover for watching hordes
with no desire to hunt or explore
just waiting for death to leave it’s trace
enough to get at least a taste
the vultures are circling
waiting to descend
he has to wait until
the rabbit is good and dead
watching and hoping that after the eagle’s eat
there’s something left
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5. |
When The Ravens Came
03:32
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When the ravens came we were afraid
big, black faces
looming in our peaceful trees
mornings we could hear them
louder than mocking birds
they flew high, and darkened the sky
neighborhood cats laid low
biding their time
rain did not phase them
they filled the silence
their robin cousins left before a storm
stark, raving, death-metal songs
preceding thunder
they flew high, and darkened the sky
neighborhood cats laid low
biding their time
when the ravens came
we were afraid
dark, dramatic faces
passing in the breeze
soon it became as if they’d always been
they flew high, and darkened the sky
neighborhood cats laid low
biding their time
one day a raven came
and feeling his power
he flew low, too close to the ground
neighborhood cats jumped out
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6. |
Nest Building Wrens
02:09
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7. |
The Bluebird Flew Away
03:44
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before the war
when the elms were still here
on shady streets and quiet nights
before chivalry disappeared
people sat on their porches
and greeted passers-by
before the bomb came
and made us afraid of even the sky
the bluebird flew away
he used to come to the feeder every day
we’ll miss his song outside our window
since the bluebird flew away
the golden age of the automobile
when gasoline was cheap
there was freedom behind the wheel
worn pedals beneath your feet
but fate came and things changed
and the table got an empty seat
gasoline got scarce
and a life became too cheap
the bluebird flew away
he used to come to the feeder every day
we’ll miss his song outside our window
since the bluebird flew away
the trees of our youth
went away
I miss the way
the chestnuts swayed
the shade of the elms
and the hemlocks scent
the towering tulips
guarding our steps
the birds that sang and filled the silence
I’ll never forget their songs
the bluebird flew away
he used to come to the feeder every day
we’ll miss his song outside our window
since the bluebird flew away
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Fred Gillen Jr Athens, New York
NYFA grant recipient Fred Gillen Jr has released 12 solo albums, and 6 ep’s, has toured all over the U.S. and Europe solo, and Nepal/ India with Greenheart. His songs have been on ABC's "All My Children," NPR's "Car Talk," CMJ, and his version of Woody Guthrie's "I Ain't Got No Home" was featured on Pete Seeger's "Pete Remembers Woody." He is also a founding member of THE TRIKE rock trio. ... more
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