Story Behind The Song
The lyric is based loosely on a short story by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. My intention was to communicate that some things are EXACTLY what they appear to be. The verse and chorus are moody and reflective but the outro which begins around 2:42 is uptempo and exhilarating, which might suit commercial applications.
Song Description
A very old man with enormous wings appears in a village and everyone imbues him with power and wisdom, but he is just a normal man who has wings who cannot find peace.
Some people and situations in our lives are just what they appear to be. It can be di
| Song Length |
3:45 |
Genre |
Rock - Modern, Rock - Classic |
| Tempo |
Medium Slow (91 - 110) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Moving, Aggressive |
Subject |
Spirituality, Suspicion |
| Language |
English |
Era |
2000 and later |
Lyrics
MAN WITH WINGS (The Very Old Man With Enormous Wings)
a crooked man
came a crooked mile
and stopped by the river to rest for a while
he laid his bones
in the mud and the stones
and dreamed of a world that would leave him alone
the people from town
they all gathered around
and pointed a finger with a whispering sound
he lifted his head and spoke not a word
and they argued for years over what they had heard
the very old man with enormous wings
is unusually quiet, incredibly thin
they wait for the word of the message he brings
but demanding the truth is a dangerous thing
he's not an angel
a choir don't sing
he's just a very old man with wings
Michael was rowdy but timid as hell
Christie she's pretty and deep as a well
David gets angry and breaks up a scene
Brian brought sadness to wash us all clean
Rollo held diamonds in the palm of her hand
let them slip through her fingers as if they were sand
Nicky was dizzy and sharp as a knife
when John, brother John, took his own life
the very old man with enormous wings
is unusually quiet, incredibly thin
they wait for the word of the message he brings
but demanding the truth is a dangerous thing
he's not an angel
a choir don't sing
he's just a very old man with wings
summer's too hot
winter's too cold
in fall it all dies
and in spring it all grows
that's just as plain, as black on a crow
there's the things that you learn
and the things that you know
the things that you've heard
and the things you've been told
there's the things that you buy
and the things you've been sold