It is easy to speculate that “Little Bird” is about her life following her breakup with Damien Rice. The two have reportedly not spoken in almost a decade and she uses imagery in the song that he invoked in his material when they were together.
[Verse 1]
Your heart sings like a kettle
And your words, they boil away like steam
And a lie burns long while the truth bites quick
A heart is built for both, it seems
You are lonely as a church
Despite the queuing out your door
I am empty as a promise, no more
[Chorus]
When the time comes
And rights have been read
I think of you often
But for once, I meant what I said
[Verse 2]
I was salted by your hunger
Now you've gone and lost your appetite
And a little bird is every bit as handy in a fight
I am lonely as a memory
Despite the gathering round the fire
Aren't you every bird on every wire?
[Chorus]
When the time comes
And rights have been read
I think on you often
But for once, I meant what I said
[Outro]
Here I stay, I lay me down
In a house by the hill
I'm dug from the rubble, and cut from the kiln
Here I stay, I lay me down
In a house by the hill
I'm dug from the rubble, and cut from the kiln
I'm dug from the rubble, and cut from the kiln
I'm dug from the rubble, and cut from the kiln
Little Bird was written by Lisa Hannigan.
Little Bird was produced by Joe Henry.
Lisa Hannigan released Little Bird on Tue Sep 20 2011.