Two Hungry Blackbirds

Lovers accustomed to tragedy

See every kiss in the window across the street

Breezes and blessings passing by, ah ooh-oh

I'm in the shade of the dogwood tree

Not the one where you told your name to me

Two hungry blackbirds land near by, ah ooh-oh

If I could be over you when the sky starts falling

Would you be happy under me?

If I could be under you if the earth was burning

Could you be trusted over me?

Spoke to a mother whose baby drowned

Gave me advice, or a rumor she once heard:

"Heaven's a distance, not a place," ah ooh-oh

Gave her an ear from the corn we grew

You were away but she gave her thanks to you

That was a year ago come May, ah ooh-oh

If I could be over you when the sky starts falling

Would you be smothered under me?

If I could be under you if the earth was burning

Would you be cryin' over me?

I could hear kids in the yard next door

Cats in the brush when the calendar fell down

Wait by the shade-tree one more year, ah ooh-oh

Poetry tempered with tragedy

Tempted and pulled when you cry upon my sleeve

Two flocks of blackbirds meet the air