Entries tagged with “give it all away” from smudie

When Philippe Beer-Gabel of the band General Bye Bye asked me to start working with him a few weeks ago, he was happy to give me carte blanche to write about whatever I liked. However, he did have one specific instruction, which was to try to include a reference to an animal wherever possible. This is sort of the band's signature, it seems - a beast in every song.

Well, we've been working on a few tracks together, and so far I've managed to satisfy Philippe's request in at least one - Give It All Away - by slipping a few geese in there. I'm looking forward to hearing the sound of their beating wings in concert soon.

• Give It All Away

I'd give it all away,
all of my books and clothes,
leave them here by the road.
I should give them away
until I find my way
out of this gilded cage.

I'd give it all away
or throw it all on the fire,
a cleansing funeral pyre.
I should give it away,
give it all away,
if I am to find my way
out of this goddamn cage.

Like those geese
heading south
in a dark, flapping cloud,
I should go somewhere else,
see if I find myself.
I should go somewhere else
and see if I find myself.
I can start over again.
I can start over again.
I can start over again.
I will start over, my friend,
once these clothes start to burn.

*

This song is performed by General Bye Bye.