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Blackbird
(John Lennon/Paul McCartney)
Paul McCartney:
Vocals, acoustic guitar
Recorded
June 11 1968.
Available on:
The
Beatles (The White Album)
Anthology 3
Paul wrote this tune while stying at the 'meditation camp'
in Rishikesh, India. It's one of several acoustic songs
on the White Album where the folk inspired finger-picking
guitar style is applied. British folk artist Donovan
stayed with the Beatles in India, and taught
them this technique. It was applied to songs such as
Mother
Nature's Son, Julia,
Dear
Prudence and Happiness
Is A Warm Gun, which were all recorded for the White
Album.
It's possible
that Blackbird was a metaphore for the black movement in
the US. Another story suggests that Paul woke up one morning
in India to the sound of a blackbird singing, and that this
gave him the idea to the song. Paul has also said the tune
was inspired by a 'well-known piece by Bach.' He probably
referred to the guitar pattern which is reminicent of classical
chamber music.
Paul also
played this song from the edge his window to a group of
fans who had gathered outside his house one early morning
in the summer of 1968.
The bird
sounds featured on the recording was taken from the sound
effects library at Abbey Road, entitled 'Volume seven: Birds
of Feather.'
Blackbird
(John Lennon/Paul McCartney)
Blackbird
singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
Blackbird
singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to be free
Blackbird
fly, blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night
Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
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