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Bird

by Karyn Ellis

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1.
Bird 03:18
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BIRD, by Karyn Ellis and Tania Szablowski. Love on the highway--no ride going my way. Stuck out in this heat wave waiting for a drive away. Overhead's a bird-aye perched up in a birch tray. Now that little bird-aye's gone and fly away. Fly away-- Bird is love is Bird is love is Bird. Love on a stop sign--waiting for a green light. Got picked up in Actinolite; I've been up all night. Over there's a bird-aye perched up in that birch tray. Spilled the cold dregs of my coffee on my knee. On my knee-- Coffee's love is Coffee is love is Bird. I've got no cash in pocket. Got nowhere to go; got nothing to do. I'm relying on the kindness of this Strange afternoon. On my knee-- Coffee's love is Coffee is love is Bird. Love on the highway--no ride going my way. Stuck out in this heat wave waiting for a drive away. Overhead's a bird-aye perched up in a birch tray. Now that little bird-aye's gone and fly away. Fly away- Bird is love is Bird is love is Bird is love is Bird is love is Bird is love is Bird is love is Bird.
2.
Summer Heatwave 05:03
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SUMMER HEATWAVE, by Karyn Ellis Ice cold soda water in the fridge. I pour myself a glass; I squeeze fresh lemon in it. All I'm wearing is my tank top And my underwear. I'm stewing in summer juices; I'm basking in my spicy summer smell. It's a hot one... I'm not going out anywhere today, Cause it's a summer heatwave. And it's that time of the year When everything is sticking to me, Like the melted vinyl slats of this lawnchair Are sticking to me. Like the dirt and the grit are sticking to me. Like your face in my memory. It's a hot one... I'm not going out anywhere today, Cause it's a summer heatwave. And it's too humid to sleep, And I'm too sleepy to move. I've got fourteen things on my list of things that I've got to do...but I'm not doing any of them today. Cause it's a summer heatwave.
3.
Love Song 04:51
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LOVE SONG, by Karyn Ellis. Love Song. Your breath in air. But something's wrong out here. Your lips are closed, you walk away. Don't want to talk of love tonight. Love Song. I could make you stay But you belong to morning grey. Your eyes are cold, you move from me. No soothing words for me tonight. Love Song. Hides inside these weary bones. It takes so long to make you home. Your heart is whole, but scars are deep. Instead I sleep inside tonight. Love Song. My breath in air. And you belong out here. My open arms hold you like the air. I feel you there singing love song. Love Song. Love Song.
4.
Cool Wooden Floor 04:40
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COOL WOODEN FLOOR/FOUR A.M. LOVE SONG, ODE TO A WOODEN FLOOR, by Karyn Ellis. Cool wooden floor under my back. Cool wooden floor. Screw the furniture, I can't deal with that. Somebody stop the walls from spinning I'm so dizzy I don't know which way is down. So, I'm straightening up--getting my back in line, And I'm marveling at the ground. Cool wooden floor, you got me wanting you. Cool wooden floor. Screw the bedroom, the living room will do. Somebody stop the walls from turning Surely I haven't been here that long. But, it must be getting late--cause the sky's a brighter blue, And the birds have started up with their songs. I stayed up all night thinking My heart is aching. And, it's not just the sound of my glass that's breaking. Cool wooden floor, I'm wanting you bad. Cool wooden floor. Screw the stoic shit, give it to me flat. Somebody stop the walls from crying All the secrets I've tucked inside my head. Oh no, I'm straightening up--and I'm not even tired, And I can't drag myself into bed. Cool wooden floor, you got me wanting you. Cool wooden floor. Screw the living room, the hallway will do.
5.
Autumn 03:19
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AUTUMN, by Karyn Ellis Autumn's coming down on me fast. Where did my good friend summertime go? Spent it all in dizzy, drizzling loving baby's hands-- Now you're gone and left me shivering in the cold. You tumbled out from these lover's arms. Like the softly falling red and orange leaves. There were moments of brilliance and beautiful-- You were passing through like a warm evening breeze. The rumpled birds up on the telephone wire. Black spots against the grey October sky. Lonely silouettes hear me calling-- How you spread your wings and fly. Autumn's falling down on me fast. Where did my good friend summertime go? Spent it all in dizzy, drizzling loving baby's hands... Now you're gone and left me shivering so.
6.
Karianna 05:54
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KARIANNA, by Karyn Ellis I walked through the snowy back fields to clear out these nightmares. It was there I swear I could feel you walking beside me. My tiny hand still warm where you held my mitten. Is it true? Do I carry you with me? Is it you? Do I carry you with me? I unpacked those dusty old boxes in search of your letters. I was looking for words, for clues, maybe for you. Instead I found a picture of you smiling. Is it true? Do I carry you with me? Is it you? Do I carry you with me? Good night, little Kariana. Sleep tight, little Kariana. Don't let the bed bugs bite you, child. There's whipped cream smothered hot chocolate--like you used to make me. But I am still full, still burning. I stare at the ring of sweetness left by my sipping. Is it true? Do I carry you with me? Is it you? Do I carry you with me? Good night, little Kariana. Sleep tight, little Kariana. Don't let the bed bugs bite you, child. I curled up in soft blankets in bed, I was listening for whispers. For your voice, your song singing oh my sweet baby. It was then I heard so clearly my own voice crying. Is it true? Do I carry you with me? Is it you? Do I carry you with me? Good night, little Kariana. Sleep tight, little Kariana. Don't let the bed bugs bite you, child.

about

CD is out-of-print. "Bird" is available in digital formats only.

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Recordings on Karyn's six - song EP, Bird (2003), were first intended as demo tracks for a full-length CD. However, repeated audience requests at live shows for recordings encouraged her to release these early tracks as songs-in-progress while working on the larger CD project.

Bird's physical packaging itself reflects Karyn's grassroots approach to her musical career, each cover of this limited edition release (900 copies - now out of print) was hand silk-screened and block printed by Karyn herself in "Mathilde's Home Productions headquarters", aka: her living room. Finished with hockey tape, each copy is uniquely numbered.

"The songwriting carries through to a strong finish. No throwaways, no fillers, no sign of running on creative empty.... I strongly recommend checking it out. She could seal the disc in Saran Wrap and still make something magical out of it" Indie-Music.com, USA

"A beautifully organic piece of work...delivers dig-your-heels-in rootsy pop peppered with delightfully quirky lyrics." RisMixLive.com

credits

released September 1, 2003

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Some rights reserved. Please refer to individual track pages for license info.

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Karyn Ellis Düsseldorf, Germany

Her songs are at once sad and hopeful; her voice delicate and dynamic. Described as a “gentle powerhouse of a songwriter” Karyn Ellis delivers thoughtful, crafted lyrics about every day wonders, beauty and hope.

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