Natalie Merchant - Ladybird Lyrics






Hey, Ladybird, ain’t it just the way,

the way that love grows cold and then fades away?

Now when he touches you, make no mistake,

the fire’s long gone out and the ash has blown away.
You don’t know how to leave and you don’t know where to fly.

You don’t know what you feel
but you know it’s not satisfied today.
So many little ones, so many mouths,

you’ve got a lot to feed and you know you don’t know how.

Making the best of it, somehow you’re making do,

making the best of the days that you stay

and you wait in this cage they made for you.
You don’t know how to leave
and you don’t know where to fly.

You’ve got a lot of things to lose, 

so you’ve got a lot of things to hide.

You know you don’t believe
but you know you’ve got to try today.
You know the sweetest wine, it’s a witches’ brew,

pours like honey down and then burns a hole in you.

Yeah, you may think you’re done but you’re never through
spitting out
the bitterness to get the little sweetness you do.
You don’t know how to leave
and you don’t know where to fly.

You’ve got a lot of things to lose, 

so you’ve got a lot of things to hide.

You don’t know what you feel
but you know it’s not satisfied.

You know you don’t believe
but you know you’ve got to try today.
Feel the winter bitterness; 
it’s heavy on the wind,
coming back again.


Maybe it’s time to fly, time to fly away!

When you gonna spread your wings and fly?
When you gonna fly away?
When you gonna fly away?





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Natalie Merchant Ladybird Comments
  1. M.... O....

    Thank you for shaking, giving me a hand, sign of life, walking me awake stirring in * your * beloved gifted praises Ms. Merchant. 🌹

  2. H.... B....

    Depressing lyrics + upbeat tempo = underground hit

  3. F.... D....

    Love her music !

  4. d.... c....

    That voice .....and raging beauty .

  5. B.... G....

    I cannot resist a Woman of Birds. I've Loved Natalie for years 💕

  6. J.... C....

    Calming!!

  7. L.... ....

    Natalie ❤

  8. R.... B....

    I love her💜😇🙏🙏

  9. K.... ....

    interesting to see so many male comments. Natalie has always captured the hearts of men. There is a vulnerability about her and a beauty that is very rare. I remember driving through the dessert with my buddies listening to 10,000 maniacs in the 90's. One of the greatest times in my life.

    K.... ....

    Houston Curtis I rememher many things with your comment.

  10. V.... B....

    Didn't know about this amazing lady until I went to a concert in Toronto at Koerner Hall (approximately 2 years ago) It was a fluke I didn't have a clue what I was in for. Came home after the concert and listened to her music on u-tube for a couple of hours. Life sometimes bring you unknown gems!!!!!

  11. V.... E....

    Natalie is a person that you could sit with in a porch swing and she would make the experience profoundly spiritual -- and then have the audacity to make it into hauntingly beautiful music. Would give anything to meet her in person, or even to hear her in person.

  12. A.... P....

    beautiful as always, dear Natalie

  13. A.... M....

    never done anything i didn't love and still just as beautiful as your music

  14. P.... C....

    creeps about colning strangers that you.have never lived your lives with as growing up children of yourselfs I think you better think on what you write down on comments and on what this reader has found underground of myself there will not be any of that sickness on murdering a stranger as myself of a women

  15. K.... B....

    Natalie, I love love this beautiful song.

  16. K.... G....

    you are the best.

  17. b.... ....

    Love with a huge nostalgic heart for your other albums too. Ophelia xxx

  18. D.... H....

    ...a great song, ....very Natalie!

  19. S.... ....

    I thought for a second this would be a cover of XTC's brilliant, beautiful 'Ladybird' off their 1983 album Mummer. It is not. Not that i dislike this song.

  20. M.... ....

    she's a soul singer, i grew up listening to Aretha,Natalie Cole,Gladys Knight,Chaka,Mavis Staples a generation before her.Natalie always writes & sings from the heart, she's got her soulful message & voice...and the silver hair looks good on her; good looks never go out of style

    M.... ....

    +MrZootalores I'm glad to see that Natalie has not dyed her hair or changed her looks; she's more about music than show business

  21. a.... ....

    Natalie you have made me smile for a long time now. thank you for that I love you beautiful

  22. J.... S....

    I guess stand by your man doesn't work any more. Who is satisfied? Maybe it's time to suck it up and do right by your kids. When are you going to fly away?

  23. j.... ....

    October 26?!

  24. C.... C....

    Gosh, I love her music

  25. F.... A....

    Natalie, please come to Brazil! We love you

  26. S.... R....

    ¡Fantástica! Como siempre...

  27. c.... ....

    Album assolutamente fantastico!

  28. S.... M....

    Natalie... I love you!

  29. S.... B....

    *THIS SONG MAKES MAH HEART WANT II CRY TEARS OF JOY....UNDERSTANDING....BECAUSE IT'S SPEAKING II ME ON SO MANY LEVELS....PLUS AH'M A NATALIE MERCHANT FAN<3*

  30. M.... L....

    Both eyes Watching! we fly at the LAST Trump Only! Until then keep working in the field =)

  31. M.... L....

    A woman who resisted the evil satanic music industry. GOD Bless her for letting HIM speak through her to help all of us thinking the world has gone mad. Thank you Jesus for your warriors of truth. Thanks Natalie for being a GOOD example to Women. =)

    M.... L....

    Oh jeezus, take it down a notch? Yes, Natalie is extremely talented...but Jesus and GOD have nothing to do with it. She's just been gifted with an incredible voice - nothing more, nothing less. P.S. Yes, she's a great example for women.

  32. E.... S....

    Is it just me, her guitarist has been listing to U2? The Edge influenced guitars at the end of this song are a nice touch.

  33. P.... w....

    Gonna see her on Sept 11th at Chicago Theater....woo...hoo..

  34. X.... ....

    This song oh so reminds me of my mother and what she's going through. After 30+ years, there's nothing left between her and my father anymore. It's not that the love just burnt out or something, his cruel and abusive words to her is what has caused it all to hit the rocks. She's disabled with MS and cannot walk so she just feels like she can't run and she has nowhere to go. She feels stuck. I'm her support system and I try to help as much as I can but it's not getting any easier for her.

    X.... ....

    Oh wow I'm so sorry I hope she's alright now

    X.... ....

    @cj5389 She's not honestly. She's just been taking it one day at a time like she always has. At least she has me so it makes it a little easier for her. I've built my life right around where I grew up in order to be close when she needs me. He'll pay for his sins one day. Thank you for the comment. It's nice to know that some people care.

    X.... ....

    Many blessings to you and your mom, I hope you can have peace, healing and happiness

  35. M.... ....

    excellent

  36. P.... S....

    I love her song lady bird it reflects on mine an alot of women i know ...she has a beautiful voice...love it

  37. P.... S....

    I love her song lady bird it reflects on mine an alot of women i know ...she has a beautiful voice...love it

  38. R.... R....

    I love Natalie Merchant and her music. I think she is aging gracefully and still looks great! I was just introduced to her music for the first time last year by some friends of mine who are fans of hers. I love to hear her sing with that voice of velvet she has; her songs move me very deeply both spiritually and emotionally inside like no other artist has. She is truly a very special and very beautiful individual. I love her new album. For those first coming to her music I must say they shouldn't judge her to harshly - one has to get used to her style just like anything else, before you can really appreciate it

    R.... R....

    Plus she looks great with silver hair!

  39. m.... ....

    Your the prettiest thing I've ever laid my eyes upon.your songs are a part of my dreams. and your voice came from heaven. Hi .

  40. E.... V....

    Nice song, nice Natalie. Still hypnotyzing/mesmerizing us.

  41. D.... H....

    Any of you might be interested in this interview:
    http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2014-07-02/natalie-merchant-her-new-self-titled-album-natalie-merchant

  42. K.... L....

    Just love Natalie Merchant..After all these years,I can still see her as that skirt-twirling,barefoot-singing dancer.....

  43. T.... M....

    I wonder if she can still dance like a beach bon-fire

  44. A.... Z....

    awesome :)

  45. S.... S....

    Muito muito bom!

  46. n.... ....

    Love her new work as much as I've loved her older work. She is an artist with talent, intelligence, and integrity.

  47. C.... e....

    utterly awesome.............

  48. L.... L....

    if i ever could...

  49. s.... ....

    Listening to the entire album right now... I'm trying to find something that's interesting to me, and not having great success, so far. I believe "Ladybird" was the lead "single" or track, if you will. I didn't really care for it. But a few of the tracks halfway into the album, such "Black Sheep" & "It's-a-Coming" offer me hope. But too much of the album sounds a little too bland. I'm afraid her best work is well behind her.

    s.... ....

    You know, I actually thought the same thing the first time I heard the album. it seemed, for lack of a better word, kind of bland. Kind of like she was covering a lot of her same old territory. But over the past few weeks, it's really grown on me. All the songs do have a familiar feel, and they do have a certain reserved quality to them, but the longer I listen the more it sounds like she's in complete control. I looked up this video now because today was the first day the weight of this song really hit me, like I felt it trickle down my spine, you know? I'm curious if anyone else had that experience. Did the album ever grow on you, or did it just stay kind of flat?

    s.... ....

    @aroomofmIOwn I have been a big fan of Natalie Merchant since 1989 when I first heard her distinctive,soulfiul voice on the radio and I went out and bought 10000 Maniacs' 'Blind Man's Zoo' (which is still one of my favourite ever albums 25 years later).As for the new album,I still can't decide where it stands in comparison to her previous work.(I found that the last few songs on the last studio album, 'Motherland' (2001) never did grow on me,although I loved the first half of the album).Her voice is still wonderful,although it has changed over the last two decades.All of the songs are good (there are no 'fillers' on the new album) and there are some real gems such as 'The End' (apparently written in 1999) and 'It's A Coming',but it did take several listens for the album to 'grow' on me as well.'Ladybird' is my least favourite track-a good song but I found the backing vocals irritating after a few listens.The main problem for me is that most of the songs are of a similar length and the best songs such as 'It's A Coming' seem to fade away all too soon just as they build up-it is as if there was a 5 minute limit for the songs.The only other problem (for me) is that she reins in her voice a lot and only occasionally unleashes the full power of it,although the 'less is more' approach works well on many of her songs.Having said all that,I have enjoyed the album and it is wonderful that she is still writing quality new material and touring-she has one of those voices that can even turn an ordinary song into something special.

    s.... ....

    Hey, the guy is entitled to his opinion. He wasn't disrespectful, he just isn't feeling this album.

  50. L.... ....

    I've always found her voice soothing.

  51. o.... ....

    wow ! !   wow !

  52. G.... R....

    me encantó

  53. C.... C....

    Best NM album ever....can't stop listening.

  54. T.... C....

    FINALLY!!!

  55. D.... ....

    Natalie - simply the best, an inspiration, saved my life, all that. Beautiful. Loving this new music.

  56. R.... ....

    I fell in love with Natalie after a very long "estrangement" after years of falling out of love with her. I haven't really followed her the last few years but "Giving Up Everything" changed it for me. I am back in love with her. I love "Ladybird" too. I actually hope her new record goes to #1 here in America. It would be great to see her at least Top 5. I wish her huge success with the new record. :-)

  57. D.... M....

    Beautiful

  58. k.... b....

    Oh and you inspired her to play piano i am guitarest just wanted to let you know

  59. k.... b....

    Ive always love your music i lost my husband in 2011 not by choice he died i was a widdow at 41 im now 44 im raising our girls alon go down moses is my fave but as with all your music i have yet to find one i dont like my now 15yr old sings just like you since the day she was born she has heard your music we love you and your music

  60. j.... ....

    I sincerely hope that this new song and CD attracts many new fans. Natalie Merchant may very well be the most underrated female voice of our time. I count it a privilege to have observed her beauty, style, and grace, not to mention her stunning voice, for many years now, right back to the 10,000 Manics. Do yourself a favor and check out her past work, both as a solo artist: from "Tigerlily" right through her masterpiece "Leave Your Sleep", as well as 10,000 Maniacs: "In my Tribe", Blind Man Zoo", and my all time favorite, "Our Time in Eden". You will not be sorry you did!                      

    j.... ....

    Our Time in Eden is a master piece of Alternative music. Every song is great.

    j.... ....

    @Jeff Sartain I agree with both of you!

    j.... ....

    @jimsha Tigerlily is one of my favorite albums-

  61. I.... O....

    What a beautiful song and your voice is so unique and enchanting. I just saw you on the Katie show and I am so grateful that my daughter recorded it because now we have a new favorite artist. Many blessing 😊🌹🎵

  62. I.... O....

    What a beautiful song and your voice is so unique and enchanting. I just saw you on the Katie show and I am so grateful that my daughter recorded it because now we have a new favorite artist. Many blessing 😊🌹🎵

  63. W.... ....

    She was brilliant on Katie, I hope they have the performance uploaded soon.

    W.... ....

    OK, I can't find it because it's simply not there. Whew. :-)

  64. J.... F....

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS SONG! Thank you I feel my soul in this song. Love it & Natalie Merchant! Bravo!

  65. J.... ....

    I saw Ladybird performed by Natalie Merchant on the Katie Curic show(5/2/2014) and loved it!  I like the full version (6:38) that she performed on Katie the most.  Bought the song on amazon.

  66. v.... ....

    Natalie, can I call you Natalie?  I too just saw you on Curic's show.  What a stunning performance.  The very second you began sing I could feel tears well up in my eyes.  What confidence, style and grace you have. No one does it like you. You are truly authentic and your empathy is evident.  I wish we could have been life long friends.

  67. A.... W....

    Today May 2 2014 I just saw Lady bird performed on Katie Curic's show by the multi-talented Natalie Merchant just moments ago - fell in love with the song. Never been a fan of hers but there's something about an artist of her caliber that opens your mind up to want to listen more and more of her music. Because her lyrics actually have something intelligent to speak on- unlike many other artists who sing about sex or physical violence.  

    A.... W....

    @***** What do you mean by bitter? Just curious.

    A.... W....

    @*****
    no she was not.  I watched it myself, she just told them to sit down that's all, nothing negative.  That's alright girl, I'll make sure to buy 2 cd's.

    A.... W....

    @*****
    she never liked the fanfare, by no means was she bitter..if you have never heard of Natalie until now please look up some of the things she has done for children of all colors and disabilities..she did an amazing video project for the homeless. Also..go back and look at her early days with 10,000 Maniacs..the songs she wrote were against poverty, slavery, oppression, and destruction of our planet. Now she could be sitting back watching the river flow but she still writes and records songs as a way to still speak out about these things. I myself am so happy to know of a celebrity whos ego doesnt grow bigger but instead becomes more aware. BTW..I bought 2 cd's diverboy (love the name;))

    A.... W....

    thanks - will do. 

  68. M.... V....

    Beautiful music as always and she is still beautiful love the grey look

  69. R.... G....

    I was privileged to see Natalie earlier this year in Jacksonville. She has the voice of an angel and sings from her heart. I have seen her over several decades and her music is soothing, beautiful and mesmerizing. I anxiously await the new lp shipped today to me from Nonesuch records!

  70. T.... R....

    Amazing song and lyrics....hits home heavily...

  71. D.... H....

    I like this better than giving up everything

  72. j.... ....

    * * * * * (five stars)

  73. P.... ....

    Your Voice is Pure Magic as always.
    We are so very fortunate. 
    Best surprise ever email. ThankYou.

  74. F.... C....

    Grande Natalie!!!  maravillosa canción  :)   

  75. e.... ....

    Mmmmmmm... 13 años de sequía (temas inéditos) han merecido la pena. El título d'éste tema me bulle... Me trae recuerdos de una película del mismo título de Ken Loach (justo ahora 20 años) que me marcó profundamente también (jartá de llorar me dí). Que cosa más rara... llorar yo? :P

  76. W.... H....

    Another great song, but i still prefer giving up everything!;) does anyone know who is singing backing vocals onthis track?

  77. B.... F....

    Love, Love, Love!!!! 

  78. Z.... P....

    They cut off my favorite verse in this video version of the song.   "You know the sweetest wine is a witches brew, it pours like honey down then burns a whole in you".    Still a good video.

  79. T.... W....

    Amazing, as always, and she always will be. <3

  80. K.... P....

    Love the new songs Ms.Merchant ... I've been a fan of your since the your maniac days and bought " Tigerlily " when it first came out. Was beginning to think you had retired permanently ... imagine my sulfide when I read of your new album. As always ... I will be purchasing the album when it drops next month. Cannot wait to have the album in my hands ... thanks for all the years of brilliant music and I thank God for ur gorgeous voice !

    K.... P....

    I completely agree with every word of this comment. Well said!

    K.... P....

    Kevin hadnt you heard the poetry album? she also did some collaborations (all here on youtube) oh and had a baby! LOL..was so happy to hear she became a parent, she deserves so much happiness for all the years of joy shes given everyone else!

  81. O.... ....

    Tnx, for upload...  from the Croatia :D 

  82. C.... S....

    I'm loving these new tracks!!  I'm so glad that Natalie is back with some new material.  I'm 34 now, and I've been with you since your first solo album came out in 1995...I was 15 when I first heard "Carnival" & I've been hooked ever since.  I love how calm & mellow your music makes me feel.  I love driving to your music.  This is a perfect song to listen to while driving during a sunset.  Love it. 

  83. J.... S....

    Great song. Love the words and soul calming melody.

  84. C.... R....

    amazing job, stunning is she, calming are her words,

  85. G.... P....

    Great song, My Lady. Thank you for your music!

  86. M.... D....

    Very nice song and personal video.

  87. j.... ....

    Great song from Natalie's new cd