Independence, Louisiana

Woodpecker’s Song

Burke Ingraffia

Independence, Louisiana

  1. Woodpecker’s Song

Burke Ingraffia: vocals
Cale Pellick: drums
David Ellington: piano
John Gros: organ
David. Hyde: fretless bass
Michael Skinkus: percussion

Lyrics

(if Aristophanes had been a folk singer in New Orleans)
All the birds of a feather got together saying, “Something is terribly wrong. You see there used to be a melody, but now it’s nothing but a woodpecker’s song. The beads were in the trees and the birds were back in town. All through the canopy you could only hear one sound. All the birds of a feather got together saying, “Something is terribly wrong. You see there used to be a melody, but now it’s nothing but a woodpecker’s song.

All the chicks dig it, and it ain’t no chicken feed. But what good it is banging your head against a tree? It don’t mean a thing to me.

The bluebirds and finches were lined up on benches. The cardinal was saying his prayers. But in spite of his devotion there was a general commotion, and the turkeys said, “Who really cares?” All the birds of a feather got together saying, “Something is terribly wrong. You see there used to be a melody, but now it’s nothing but a woodpecker’s song.

All the chicks dig it, and it ain’t no chicken feed. But what good it is banging your head against a tree? It don’t mean a thing to me.

The crows took up the caws of casting the blame, and the doves said it must be a coo. The parrots seemed to feel the same, and the owl just simply asked, “Who?” All the birds of a feather got together saying, “Something is terribly wrong. You see there used to be a melody, but now it’s nothing but a woodpecker’s song.

BURKE INGRAFFIA