The Birdwatchers

[Verse 1]

He had a guide book and binoculars

He called himself a birdwatcher

But he knew that we were seeking out

Something beyond geese and grouse

Ravaged by our nagging doubts

The new age and the restless nights

We said we'd like to see the sites

He said he'd like to take us

[Verse 2]

We first made his acquaintance

Through a series of small payments

Wires and ACHs

Veering through the clearing house

We bought our tickеts through the touts

Before thе offers disappeared

Found our seats and sat between

The dilettantes and profiteers

[Chorus]

When we landed we were greeted by the salesmen

In the market where you exit from the station

[Verse 3]

We were initially suspicious

But we drank ourselves complicit

The next three days were skippers, man

Picking up the whispers

From the dealers and the drifters

Of a strongman with some soldiers and a suntan

Our guide said that the city

Was just a little jumpy

He took us to a party

And tried to introduce us

To a girl they called The Colonel

And a kid they called The Cardinal

Because I guess he was from Phoenix or St. Louis

[Chorus]

The Colonel said she could probably use us

Now we're marching with her army through the forest

[Verse 4]

She said you won't get any service

When we get to certain pockets

But you might hear screeching noises

Because the rockets sound like ravens

When they're skipping off the pavement

And if you ever hear the church bells

Then get down on the ground

[Verse 5]

At first we were suspicious

But we drank ourselves complicit

It felt just like a fable

With a complicated ending

Toured the royal castle

It was glass and mud and marble

With guns down on the table

Because it wasn't worth defending

[Verse 6]

The Cardinal and The Colonel

Said the ringing of the church bells

Are a signal from the generals

To tighten up the yoke

The view through the binoculars

Was spooky but spectacular

Blue sky and golden eagles

And little puffs of smoke

[Verse 7]

The Birdwatcher was laughing now

Asked us if we wondered how

Such a pretty picture

Could ever turn against itself?

We saw the youth out on the avenues

And the long looks in the automats

The Russians that we met were selling black market cigarettes

Yeah I don't think we danced with any diplomats

The thrill of being at the scene

Ducking out and in between

The curfew and the skirmishes

Went off into the wilderness

To check the natural habitat

Turned out that we finally found a purpose

[Chorus]

When they asked for our credentials

We told them we were looking for some birds