Lyrics The Handsome Family

The Handsome Family

Passenger Pigeons

Ever since you moved out

I've been living in the park

I'd rather talk to the wind

Than an empty apartment

And I wish I could forget

How a billion birds flew in

My hollow, dying heart

The first time I touched your arm

Once there were a billion passenger pigeons

So many flew by they darkened the sky

But they were clubbed and shot, netted, gassed and burned

Until there was nothing left but vines of empty nests

I can't believe how easily

A billion birds can disappear

The park is empty now

It's so cold out

And all the paddle boats

Are covered up with snow

Once again it's dark

The electric lights snap on

But I'm still sitting here

Drinking frozen beer

And throwing potato chips

Into the white snowdrifts

Just in case a bird decides

To fly through hinter night

I can't believe how easily

A billion birds can disappear

Oh, I can't believe how easily

A billion birds can disappear