The Hold Steady - The Birdwatchers

He had a guide book and binoculars.
He called himself a birdwatcher.
But he knew that we were seeking out
Something beyond geese and grouse.

Ravaged by our nagging doubts.
The new age and the restless nights.
We said we'd like to see the sites.
He said he'd like to take us.

We first made his acquaintance
Through a series of small payments.
Wires and ACHs
Veering through the clearing house.

We bought our tickets through the touts
Before the offers disappeared.
Found our seats and sat between
The dilettantes and profiteers.

When we landed were greeted by the salesmen
In the market where you exit from the station.

We were initially suspicious
But we drank ourselves complicit.
The next three days were skippers, man.

Picking up the whispers
From the dealers and the drifters
Of a strongman with some soldiers and a suntan.

Our guide said that the city
Was just a little jumpy.
He took us to a party
And tried to introduce us

To a girl they called The Colonel
And a kid they called The Cardinal
Because I guess he was from Phoenix or St. Louis.

The Colonel said she could probably use us.
Now we're marching with her army through the forest.

She said you won't get any service
When we get to certain pockets
But you might hear screeching noises

Because the rockets sound like ravens
When they're skipping off the pavement
And if you ever hear the church bells
Then get down on the ground.

At first we were suspicious
But we drank ourselves complicit.
It felt just like a fable
With a complicated ending

Toured the royal castle
It was glass and mud and marble
With guns down on the table
Because it wasn't worth defending.

The Cardinal and The Cornel
Said the ringing of the church bells
Are a signal from the generals
To tighten up the yoke.

The view through the binoculars
Was spooky but spectacular
Blue sky and golden eagles
And little puffs of smoke.

The Birdwatcher was laughing now
Asked us if we wondered how
Such a pretty picture
Could ever turn against itself?

We saw the youth out on the avenues
And the long looks in the automats
The Russians we met were selling black market cigarettes
Yeah I don't think we danced with any diplomats.

The thrill of being at the scene. Ducking out and in between
The curfew and the skirmishes.
Went off into the wilderness to check the natural habitat.
Turned out that we finally found a purpose.

When they asked for our credentials
We told them we were looking for some birds.

Written by:
Craig Finn, Franz Nicolay

Publisher:
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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