Silver Bird
words by A1C Jim Schaffer and
Sgt. Mark Lane (ret.)
music by A1C Jim Schaffer
performed by The Covered Wagon Musicians
The first verse expresses the mood of
returning GIs, their feeling of alienation
from the Air Force, and their determination
to be a part of the machine no longer. The
second verse was a personal statement by
Jim Shaffer, just before he was discharged as
a conscientious objector. Combining the
two poems and adding music produced the
first song written at the project.
Silver bird go fly alone
Silver bird go die alone
Silver bird my work is done
I wish to god I'd never begun
Once I was free
But I didn't know
Almost two years gone
Taken from my life
Now I know, now I know
What it's like
To be free
(Repeat first verse)
Silver bird, silver bird.
