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lyrics

BIRD INSIDE A RIBCAGE

My friend called up the other day
his voice real tired + far away
long spaces in between the lines
he was thinking hard of suicide
makes me smile his tragedy
insane so close to sanity
he’s frail + dark, misunderstood
+ can’t get out of bed
he’s really smart + nice to me
he’ll be OK, there are these drugs -
a Paxyl Epipheny

like a sparkler in the dark
like a child’s hand in your hand
like a bird inside a ribcage
like an old man alone in a park
he’s got the biggest bravest heart

I watch him walk across the street
with every hair in place
you see there’s only just a few
combed in like so + he’s lost weight
I turn my head to kiss hello
I didn’t mean to do it
you never sure he took a week away
from work you know
I play the ruse, I talk a lot
I tell a joke, it’s not funny
he turns away, he’s gotta go
his eyes are really something

CHORUS

I just got home from Europe
there’s a message on the phone
I don’t unpack I’m on a plane again
to Philly
you see my Mom she had these tests
the outlook is not good
they call her up she’s short of breath
+ shaking with the news
you can read her feelings on her face
her kids areall around her
she shrugs it off, but she’s crying now
that’s it, she says, it’s Cancer

credits

from RICK BERLIN LIVE @ JACQUES, track released June 14, 1997
Rick Berlin LIVE@JACQUES (GarageDog) 1997. Recorded + mixed by Dan Cantor (w/ help from Jeff Berkowitz) over 5 consecutive Monday nights at Jacques Cabaret (the oldest drag bar in the country). Placed mikes over the pool table, in the main room, near the dressing room door. Who played: Tyson Montgomery Leonard (electric violin), Chris Mehl (harp), Jonah Sachs (cello), Dan Cantor (harp), Chet Cahill (accordion), Marnie Given (violin), Charles Isenberg (mc).

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Rick Berlin (now playing w/ THE NICKEL & DIME BAND) image

Rick Berlin (now playing w/ THE NICKEL & DIME BAND) Jamaica Plain

A giant on the Boston music scene. His colorful songwriting + strong stage presence have influenced countless other artists since the early 1970s. He continues to make music w/ intelligence + integrity, building an international reputation around his knotty, singular piano playing, straight-from-the-heart singing and a style of character-based songwriting that's drawn comparisons to Waits + Cohen ... more

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