The Birds of St. Marks

Jackson Browne

About The Birds of St. Marks

"The Birds of St. Marks" is a song by Jackson Browne. It was originally written in 1967 when he was 18 and returning home to California after a brief stint living in New York where he was recording with Nico. The song was recorded as a demo for Criterion in 1970. Browne re-discovered it in an interview from the 1994 concert video "Going Home" where he recalled it at the piano. It was again captured on his Solo Acoustic, Vol. 1 album when at a concert a fan called out and requested it. Browne properly recorded it for the first time in 2014 and it appears on his 14th studio album Standing In The Breach. "This is a song I always heard as a Byrds song, and that was even part of the writing of the song," he told Rolling Stone in an August, 2014 interview. The finished version of the song features Greg Leisz playing a "McGuinn-esque 12-string," described Rolling Stone. Leisz and Jackson were joined by Val McCallum (electric guitar), Bob Glaub (bass) Don Heffington (drums), while as described in MOJO "McCallum and Kipp Lennon stir[ed] essence of Crosby into the vocal harmonies." The song is also featured in the 2007 movie Reign Over Me starring Adam Sandler and Don Cheadle. 


Year:
2005
104 
#4

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Oh how sadly sound the songs the queen must sing of dying
A prisoner upon her throne of melancholy sighing
If she could see her mirror now
She would be free of those who bow and
Scrape the ground before her feet

Silently she walks among her dying midnight roses
Watches as each moment goes that never really know us
And so it seems she doesn't care
If she has dreams of no one there
Within the shadows of her room

But all my frozen words agree, and say it's time to
Call back, all the birds I sent to
Fly behind her castle walls, and I'm
Weary of the nights I've seen
Inside these empty halls

Wooden lady turn and turn among my weary secrets
And wave within the hours past and other empty pockets
Maybe we've found what we have lost
When we've unwound so many crossed entangling
Misunderstandings; but

All my frozen words agree and say it's time to
Call back all the birds I sent to
Fly behind her castle walls, and I'm
Weary of the nights I've seen
Inside these empty walls

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Jackson Browne

Clyde Jackson Browne (born October 9, 1948) is an American singer-songwriter and musician who has sold over 17 million albums in the United States alone. more »

17 fans

Written by: JACKSON BROWNE

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Album Release
"The Birds of St. Marks" is a track from Jackson Browne's 14th studio album named "Standing in the Breach". The album was released in 2014.
Composition Origins
Despite being included in a 2014 album, the song was first written by Browne in 1967 when he was just 18 years old.
Song Mystery
There are speculations that “The Birds of St. Marks” was inspired by the Byrds guitarist Jim McGuinn, however, this has never been confirmed by Jackson Browne himself.
Track Inspiration
Browne was reportedly inspired to write the song after watching a number of bands, including the Byrds, and admiring their jangly, electric sound.
Live Performances
The song had been in Jackson Browne's live set list for years, and fan recordings of the song circulated long before its official release.
Song Lyrics
"The Birds of St. Marks" is known for its beautiful lyrics which are somehow sorrowful yet uplifting, echoing sentiments of leaving a place or period of life behind.
Album Critic Review
Shawn T. Anderson from AbsolutePunk praised the song for having a simplistic approach yet providing a complex, multi-layered musical journey.
Recording Styles
The released studio version of the song is an up-tempo Byrds style arrangement, which is notably different from earlier, slower acoustic versions played live by Browne.
Album Peak
"Standing in the Breach", the album that features "The Birds of St. Marks", peaked at no. 15 on the Billboard 200, showcasing the relevance and popularity of Browne's music decades into his career.
Fan Favourite
The song “The Birds of St. Marks” is noted as a fan favourite in many concert reviews, highlighting its enduring appeal and Browne's musical brilliance.

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