The Black And White Bird

from Never Stop Moving by John Jones (voice of Oysterband)

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lyrics

THE BLACK AND WHITE BIRD

CHORUS
To the girl on the chestnut horse
Please tell her I’ll be gone tomorrow
I leave to her this black and white bird
Two for joy, one for sorrow
And to the girl on the chestnut horse
Please tell her not to follow
And think of me as the black and white bird
Two for joy, one for sorrow

He left his lover of 7 years
Caught in the eye of small town wrongs
Scorned by family and friends
He turned his back on the biting tongues

His gaze was turned to someone else
Did she know, had she heard
Had she seen how he loved her still?
Enough to leave her his black and white bird

CHORUS

He couldn’t speak, he couldn’t say
Just what it was went on inside him
The weight of love he couldn’t bear
He had to leave, he had decided

She never looked as she rode out
Never saw him standing there
He left the magpie in a bag
Touched the bridle and walked away

CHORUS

And in his mind she still rides out
Passes him without a word
Turns to look with a smiling face
Above her flies the black and white bird

CHORUS

(c) Westpark Music & Publishing, Cologne, Germany
All rights reserved

credits

from Never Stop Moving, released September 4, 2015
lead vocals: JOHN JONES
Al Scott - guitars
Tim Cotterell - fiddle
Lindsey Oliver - stand-up bass
Rowan Gödel, John Jones - backing vocals

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about

John Jones (voice of Oysterband) UK

JOHN JONES is best known as the powerful, charismatic singer with OYSTERBAND, one of the leading folk and roots outfits on the UK music scene, acclaimed by music critics and fans alike; recipients of numerous Music Awards.

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