This song make me weep, in a good way. I love it so much I don't listen to it often, lest it lose its magic for me. "And the watcher beware, lest they see it fall, and paradise might laugh when at last it falls." It's the Great God Bird through it all.
i could cry when i hear this song, and i do when i watch this video going along with it. it's enchanting and makes me feel like i have wasted my whole lifetime. i'm so longing.
Great song! I see from the comments below that there are contending views with regard to the video. I like the video for its simplicity, evocation of the spirit of the song through color and motion, and sensitive attention to shot duration. I think it works quite well.
This song is one of his most beautiful and simple. I don't agree with you on Predatory wasps though. He has said it's about a best friend and himself. I can completely relate. I had a friend who was closer than a brother, but less than a lover.
Since I was last here I did some looking-up and I know that now. :o) He seems very much a beautiful, spiritual person who doesn't hit people upside the head with Bible verses and such. Very cool.
Stevens has a beautiful voice, reminds me much of Ian Matthews. Another guys that has a beautiful voice. Matthews is not a song writer but good singer.
The song was featured in NPR's All Songs Considered episode 88. The MP3 can be downloaded (legally) for free from the NPR website. (dotorg or dotcom both work) Just search for "Lord God Bird". The first thing that pops up should be "Brinkley, Ark., Embraces 'The Lord God Bird'" and there's a link to the MP3 on the left. I'd post the link to the episode's page, but youtube is ghey...
Great God Bird refers to the supposedly sighted Ivory-billed woodpecker (some authorities debate that it was truly sighted after 50+ years without a sighting and presumed extinction). It was so much bigger than other woodpeckers (except the pileated) that people would exclaim "good god!!" when they saw it. This song was actually written for an NPR All Things Considered series on songwriting but I think this is a re-recorded version from what I have. Nice video. Love Sufjan's music!
@Broodling1 sup fellow earthling. i recall writing that years ago and feeling angry that someone was bashing this song because they analyzed it with their tastes - probably clashed with my tastes and I felt pretty validated. silly world sometimes. Just thought I should report i'm feeling pretty chill today. maybe going for a springtime walk. yep. hope you're doing well.
kickass song i cant get the song and video to fit together in my mind though, maybe its just me but the only sufjan videos that seem to work with his music are the ones he does himself
True, this song is not about Christianity, but He is a Christian. The "anglo-catholic" type. His good friend (who does a lot of background vocals on the albums) is a pastor as well.
I hate when people make overly intricate comments about sociopolitical connotations or how our world is full of immature people who can't enjoy beautiful music. Grow up, will you? What are you after, the green thumbs of strangers? You all make me kind of sick, just as I make myself sick posting this. Great job, college students of the internet.
@clara55555able Then we have your dad to thank for his role that inspired this song, on behalf of all that admire this sublime connection : Thanks Claras Dad .
@NeonPandaCrumbs i was responding to someone who was hating on this SS song. I wasn't being "passive" in my judgment at all. I was quite forwardly judgmental I believe. If you want to judge what ever aura you can glean from 50 words i wrote a year ago, be my guest. You think the use of the words "identity," or "Capitalism" , or "civility" is pretentious? Do you often try to make people feel bad for using descriptive words? I can think of something else that likes to cage expression.
This song is sad and gorgeous. I'm confused by the video imagery though. What does a blonde drifting through a field of yellow flowers have to do with the Ivory Billed Woodpecker? (Not trying to be snarky--honest.)
@sixthlife Respect for the chill reply. Far more down to earth than the SixthLife I grew to hate. Still hate you using the word aura, but I'll forgive it for you forgiving me.
"Lord God Bird" It's about the presumed extinct Ivory Billed Woodpecker which had not been seen since the 40's till someone reported seeing one in 2004. Birdwatchers call it The Lord God Bird.
I don't know Stevens' belief system, but this song is not about Christianity. The Ivory-Billed Woodpecker was nicknamed "The Lord God Bird" because so many southerners would see it and declare, "Lord God! What a bird!" So, what started as snarky mild profanity has taken on profound implications today, since the IB Woodpecker symbolizes so much.
he always has great lyrics but man his songs would still be great even if he would sing the biggest crap he has a great voice and can make everything sound great. reallllly love all of his work
more news today - people who have small attention spans and don't appreciate calm are three times as likely to divorce within the first two years of marriage.... and be abusive.
You'd like to talk simplicity? Want to talk about identity politics and the world you imagine yourself in? Want to talk about hegemony and how reductionist systems of capitalism have led us as a species to the end of the most magnificently complex ecosystems in the universe? Want to fight amongst ourselves and reduce ideals of civility and compassion to shameful acts of hate and ignorance. You, kind sir, have some work to do - I suggest ceasing the remarks that cast shame on your aura and face.
The only thing more boring than this song is this video. Thanks God he redeems himself by covering an Innocence Mission song that is so much more touching...
I specifically remember this video from 2008, and the visuals. Thank you for keeping it safe until I finally found it again 🥲
I hope Sufjan will eventually return to this genre. So much passion in his music.
This song make me weep, in a good way. I love it so much I don't listen to it often, lest it lose its magic for me.
"And the watcher beware, lest they see it fall, and paradise might laugh when at last it falls."
It's the Great God Bird through it all.
i could cry when i hear this song, and i do when i watch this video going along with it. it's enchanting and makes me feel like i have wasted my whole lifetime. i'm so longing.
So many of Sufjans songs are hauntingly perfect. I always find myself humming them out of nowhere:) Thanks for posting this one.
Amazing man! genius in every sense! love his songs. all of em. absolute beauty and innovation! in awe...
I'm crying this is so beautiful
Great song! I see from the comments below that there are contending views with regard to the video. I like the video for its simplicity, evocation of the spirit of the song through color and motion, and sensitive attention to shot duration. I think it works quite well.
this is the song ive been searching for so long *teary eyes
Tnx God Bless :)
Amazing videoclip, simple, sweet, the minimal expression of a sunrise. Love Sufjan!
Andy De Young - you are in touch with beauty . visual poetry like this in film and it is hard to do .
très belle chanson
comme un parfum de romantisme dans cette vidéo
This song is one of his most beautiful and simple. I don't agree with you on Predatory wasps though. He has said it's about a best friend and himself. I can completely relate. I had a friend who was closer than a brother, but less than a lover.
of all the sufjan clips i've seen this one is the very best
Actually the video is really cool and artistically shot. Sufjan's music is beautiful too.
about the most perfect music video I've ever seen
What? How is that bad?? This vid, among other things, gives me spring fever because it's so wonderful.
great video- love all his music
very very beautiful, it brings back memories..
Your video is very beautiful. I really do think you have captured the purity of the music with equally pure images. Sixthlife said, "ect. ect." :)
Since I was last here I did some looking-up and I know that now. :o) He seems very much a beautiful, spiritual person who doesn't hit people upside the head with Bible verses and such. Very cool.
Whoah, such a great song.
Very first Sufjan song I ever listened to. Little did I know...
@sixthlife Respect for the chill reply. Far more down to earth than the SixthLife I grew to hate.
Stevens has a beautiful voice, reminds me much of Ian Matthews. Another guys that has a beautiful voice. Matthews is not a song writer but good singer.
The song was featured in NPR's All Songs Considered episode 88. The MP3 can be downloaded (legally) for free from the NPR website. (dotorg or dotcom both work) Just search for "Lord God Bird". The first thing that pops up should be "Brinkley, Ark., Embraces 'The Lord God Bird'" and there's a link to the MP3 on the left. I'd post the link to the episode's page, but youtube is ghey...
absolutely gorgeous :)
incredible. no words
Great God Bird refers to the supposedly sighted Ivory-billed woodpecker (some authorities debate that it was truly sighted after 50+ years without a sighting and presumed extinction). It was so much bigger than other woodpeckers (except the pileated) that people would exclaim "good god!!" when they saw it.
This song was actually written for an NPR All Things Considered series on songwriting but I think this is a re-recorded version from what I have.
Nice video. Love Sufjan's music!
There are programs to convert youtube videos to mp3. Just google it, or try googling the song title, it should come up.
His voice is unreal. Seriously.
want to have that dress..lovely music.
He's highly regarded in Nelson, Lancashire.
@Broodling1 sup fellow earthling. i recall writing that years ago and feeling angry that someone was bashing this song because they analyzed it with their tastes - probably clashed with my tastes and I felt pretty validated. silly world sometimes. Just thought I should report i'm feeling pretty chill today. maybe going for a springtime walk. yep. hope you're doing well.
Thanks. It was shot on the Panasonic Varicam.
incredible good!!!
if record companies put a percentage of their profits towards the major issues; food shortages, innoculations ect. ect.
you can downlo ad the mp3 at npr . org/programs/asc/archives/asc88/#stevens
kickass song
i cant get the song and video to fit together in my mind though, maybe its just me but the only sufjan videos that seem to work with his music are the ones he does himself
True, this song is not about Christianity, but He is a Christian. The "anglo-catholic" type. His good friend (who does a lot of background vocals on the albums) is a pastor as well.
I hate when people make overly intricate comments about sociopolitical connotations or how our world is full of immature people who can't enjoy beautiful music. Grow up, will you? What are you after, the green thumbs of strangers? You all make me kind of sick, just as I make myself sick posting this. Great job, college students of the internet.
Daniel Burrage The likes are blue now my friend.
This song is actually called "Lord God Bird"
Très beau vidéo. J'aime beaucoup Sufjan. POURQUOI LES BLONDES SONT SI BELLE?
love it, though i never head it before...which album is this on?
@clara55555able Then we have your dad to thank for his role that inspired this song, on behalf of all that admire this sublime connection : Thanks Claras Dad .
Good question...it's nowhere on iTunes. Sorry to disappoint you if you thought I had the answer. Limewire maybe?
It's not on any album, it was a special work for NPR and I believe you can download it for free on the NPR website. At least, you used to be able to.
very nice!
great transition at 2:08
Ouch! it burns!
@BasilRulesMe i really use words to express my point of view, not to appear a certain way to other people.
must be heaven....
Lord God Bird.
This is primary beauty, stripped to the bone. Raw, unassuming, naked poetry.
@NeonPandaCrumbs i was responding to someone who was hating on this SS song. I wasn't being "passive" in my judgment at all. I was quite forwardly judgmental I believe. If you want to judge what ever aura you can glean from 50 words i wrote a year ago, be my guest. You think the use of the words "identity," or "Capitalism" , or "civility" is pretentious? Do you often try to make people feel bad for using descriptive words? I can think of something else that likes to cage expression.
This song is sad and gorgeous. I'm confused by the video imagery though. What does a blonde drifting through a field of yellow flowers have to do with the Ivory Billed Woodpecker? (Not trying to be snarky--honest.)
lord god bird
The Great God Bird.
Beautiful song. The video is nice but I think its a bit cheesy. Are there any official videos by Stevens?
just wondering, what was this shot using? =]
fantastic btw =D
@sixthlife Respect for the chill reply. Far more down to earth than the SixthLife I grew to hate. Still hate you using the word aura, but I'll forgive it for you forgiving me.
I have spring fever
*puts on a fancy cap* The enormity of your words is more concerning than the enormousness of his.
"Lord God Bird"
It's about the presumed extinct Ivory Billed Woodpecker which had not been seen since the 40's till someone reported seeing one in 2004. Birdwatchers call it The Lord God Bird.
The Lord God Bird
Sufjan is the real...
Radiant Song - what album is The Lord God Bird on ? or is it a single ?
bonito
probably a combination of the three, solid, liquid and gas. :)
yeah, that's what all the ladies say.
i think someone has a problem appreciating the finer things of life...
where'd you here that?
how do you pronounce sufjan stevens name?
whats the name of the song
Je ne sais plus.
Sister Winter though..
je sais ^-^
But still it's kind of funny you place this comment by this particular song, since this song is legally free downloadable
what song is this
I don't know Stevens' belief system, but this song is not about Christianity. The Ivory-Billed Woodpecker was nicknamed "The Lord God Bird" because so many southerners would see it and declare, "Lord God! What a bird!" So, what started as snarky mild profanity has taken on profound implications today, since the IB Woodpecker symbolizes so much.
there once was a cat who sat on a fat hat and then wrote a bunch of youtube comments nobody cares about
he always has great lyrics but man his songs would still be great even if he would sing the biggest crap he has a great voice and can make everything sound great. reallllly love all of his work
more news today - people who have small attention spans and don't appreciate calm are three times as likely to divorce within the first two years of marriage.... and be abusive.
Hot girl
Beautiful song, nice cinematography. But this song has nothing to do with this video.
You'd like to talk simplicity? Want to talk about identity politics and the world you imagine yourself in? Want to talk about hegemony and how reductionist systems of capitalism have led us as a species to the end of the most magnificently complex ecosystems in the universe? Want to fight amongst ourselves and reduce ideals of civility and compassion to shameful acts of hate and ignorance. You, kind sir, have some work to do - I suggest ceasing the remarks that cast shame on your aura and face.
les femmes brunnes sont plus jollie
The only thing more boring than this song is this video. Thanks God he redeems himself by covering an Innocence Mission song that is so much more touching...
great song, terrible video
Terrific song. Terrible video.