[Chorus]
I have seen American flowers all across this land
From the banks of the Shenandoah, along the Rio Grande
Do not fear the winter blowing in the hearts of men
I have seen American flowers they will bloom again
[Verse 1]
On the Southside of Chicago, a man who’s not yet grown
Went out for a ride but the car was not his own
He did not see the stop sign or the boy on a skateboard
Now he’s lying broken on the ground
Nobody around he coulda, he coulda drove away
But he pulled on over to the curb and he ran out where he lay
Used his hoodie for a pillow said “little man you’re gonna be ok”
And he waited for the ambulance to come
[Chorus]
I have seen American flowers all across this land
From the banks of the Shenandoah, along the Rio Grande
Do not fear the winter blowing in the hearts of men
I have seen American flowers they will bloom again
[Verse 2]
Tender was the night down in the Tenderloin
In an alley off O’Farrell Street, in the neon glow
Well she finally caught that dragon a mile from Chinatown
She took her wings and eased her body down
She gave a little shudder, but no pain, she felt no pain
And she knew that she was back on home in Morgantown again
She could smell the lady slippers and the wild thimble weeds
“Mama i was just mad, I never meant to leave”
[Chorus]
I have seen American flowers all across this land
From the banks of the Shenandoah, along the Rio Grande
Do not fear the winter blowing in the hearts of men
I have seen American flowers they will bloom again
[Verse 3]
Layin’ roof in Texas is the job for someone younger
And so is catching fastballs from your Grandson in the summer
But there you are saying “Come on kid, lemme feel that hummer”
With your back and hips and knees on fire
And he says “Come on Grandpa, when you gonna let me throw a curve?”
And you’re looking back at him in the sun and you feel your heart is bursting
Let me keep him from himself and those that mean to hurt him
If that be your will, oh Lord
[Chorus]
I have seen American flowers all across this land
From the banks of the Shenandoah, along the Rio Grande
Do not fear the winter blowing in the hearts of men
I have seen American flowers they will bloom again
[Verse 4]
Right there off the interstate in Northwest Ohio
In the amber waves of grain and the assemblies of crows
There rose the two twin spires beside a golden dome
The Islamic Mosque of Greater Toledo
I was flying down the highway when it caught my eye
I was sipping red cream soda, I was listening to Johnny Prine
And I saw that golden dome against a pink and purple sky
I was singing “don’t let your baby down”
Birds of chicago는 부부인 JT Nero와 Allison Russell이 꾸려가는 포크 밴드.
시카고를 중심으로 활동한다. 이 사람들 음악 참 잘한다. 포크도 블루스도 잘한다.
이 노래 American flowers는 들어보면 흠..뭐랄까.
노랫말 위로 영상이 자연스레 오버랩된다.
시카고, 텐더로인, 텍사스, 노스웨스트 오하이오 미국 각 곳에서
일어나는 비극, 화해, 추억 뭐..그런 다양한 일상의 한 순간을
노래로 그리는데 결국 하나의 이미지로 수렴되는,
마치 레이몬드 카버의 단편을 읽는 것 같은 느낌.
길고 긴 이노래에서 이 부부 밴드가 말하고 싶은 메시지는
아마 이 가사일 듯.
"Do not fear the winter blowing in the hearts of men
I have seen American flowers they will bloom again"
우리 모두는 꽃.
이 노래의 음원 수익금이 시카고 지역의 청소년 재활 프로그램에
기부된다는 트리비아. (TMI인가 ?)