Verse 1:
Take away the trees and the birds,
All have to sit upon the ground,
Take away their wings and the birds,
All have to walk to get around.
Chorus:
Oh, remember me, my darling, when spring is in the air,
And the bald-headed birds are whispering everywhere.
When you see them walking Southward in their dirty underwear,
That's the Tennessee bird walk.
Verse 2:
How about some trees so the birds won't have to sit upon the ground,
And how about some wings so the birds won't have to walk to get around,
And how about a birdbath or two so the birds will all be clean,
And how about some feathers so their underwear no longer can be seen.
Chorus:
How about some trees so the birds won't have to sit upon the ground,
And how about some wings so the birds won't have to walk to get around,
And how about a birdbath or two so the birds will all be clean,
And how about some feathers so their underwear no longer can be seen.
Verse 3:
Take away their chirp and the birds will have to whisper when they sing,
Take away their common sense and they'll be headed southward in the spring,
Oh, remember me, my darling, when spring is in the air,
And the bald-headed birds are whispering everywhere.
Bridge:
When you see them walking Southward in their dirty underwear,
That's the Tennessee bird walk,
That's the Tennessee bird walk,
That's the Tennessee bird walk.
Outro:
Take away the birds, take away the trees,
Take away their feathers and their beaks too,
But don't take away their love, their spirit so true,
You'll still have the memory of the Tennessee bird walk.
Lyric Explanation
The lyrics of "Tennessee Bird Walk" are a humorous take on the changes birds would face if they lost their natural abilities and habitats. In the first verse, the singer takes away the trees, wings, and bird baths, which forces the birds to walk and live in their own waste. The chorus then highlights the absurdity of the situation, comparing the birds to a dirty, southern version of themselves.
The second verse introduces the idea of restoring certain elements to improve the birds' lives, such as trees, wings, and birdbaths. However, the singer suggests that the birds would still be endangered by losing their feathers, their ability to chirp, and their common sense, leading to their eventual southward migration as a last resort.
The bridge reinforces the theme of the lyrics, reminding the listener of the original lyrics and suggesting that the memory of the song remains even if the birds themselves are no longer around.
Overall, the lyrics of "Tennessee Bird Walk" play on the concept of the oddities that arise when things we take for granted are suddenly taken away, highlighting the humor and oddball humor that can result from such changes.
