Jean The Birdman Lyrics - David Sylvian

He gambles on the saddle 

He's pulling on the mane 

He thrashes on the horse's back 

Ambition is a bloody game 

Horse doesn't want to jump 

The river looks too wide 

Well he faces every hurdle 

With a nervous state of mind 

Stay with me, breathe deeply 

Take three passes back 

Turn and make a full attack 

The gods are laughing 

And they're tugging at the reins 

But he's taken to his wings 

And they hit the bank 

Heaven may stone him 

But jean the birdman pulls it off 

His finger's on the trigger 

His eye is on the clock 

He doesn't give the game away 

And quickly fires the bullets off 

Six hearts cut short 

Still dreaming they're alive 

Blown 'round in dusty circles 

Like an absent state of mind 

Who hunter? who victim? 

God love America 

He surely doesn't love him 

Hitching out of nowhere 

Lines of traffic knee deep 

A chance to stave the morning off 

And get some sleep 

Heaven may stone him 

But jean the birdman pulls it off 

He wears a crucifix 

His mother left to him 

It's wrapped in chains around his heart 

Rusted and wafer thin 

Don't count on luck son 

All the angels sing 

Don't need to check a weathervane 

We all know what tomorrow brings 

Life is a cattle farm 

Coyotes with the mules 

Life is a bullring 

For taking risks and flouting rules 

Who needs a safety net 

The world is open wide 

Just look out for card sharks 

And the danger signs 

Heaven may stone him 

But jean the birdman pulls it off