"Ladybird" is a weird little song. It's about fire (specifically the burning of the Great Library of Alexandria, the Great Seattle Fire, and the climate crisis) and my mother. The Great Library and Serapeum of Alexandria were destroyed by imperialists and religious zealots (according to legend/conjecture, yes I know: leave me alone history buffs!). The Great Seattle Fire happened due to human stupidity/poor planning. The climate crisis is the product of greed. My mother's nickname growing up was Ladybird. This is a song about the evils of the world (imperialism, zealotism, stupidity, greed, etc) and how my mother, try as she might, can't stop them. She's a person who has saved my life so many times but even she can't protect me from the world. She can't put out all the fires. The song is full of inside jokes and references that only my mom will get.
lyrics
Lyrics:
Ladybird, ladybird fly away home
Your library's on fire and your books will all burn
The invaders and zealots set it aflame
The fire is spreading and can’t be contained
And my lungs are filling with smoke
My mother had no cure for the word of sorrow and sin
And my father had no vast library for me to seek refuge in:
I sipt sickness and spit sugar instead
Books don’t grow on trees but fires sure do
They’re a dime a dozen; here’s a dollar just for you
And a loaf of burning bread
So ladybird, ladybird fly away home
Your city is on fire and your buildings will burn
The glue and the whisky set it aflame
The fire is spreading and can’t be contained
And my throat is closing from smoke
My mother’s limbs were made of wood and she cried tears of rain
Burning up her body to wash away my pain
Sometimes she was too late
Dolls don’t grow on trees but fires sure do
You’ll see them in your dreams and when you come to
Such shall be our fate
So ladybird, ladybird fly away home
Your planet is on fire and your forests will burn
The greed and the glory set it aflame
The fire is spreading and can’t be contained
And I’m allergic to smoke
So ladybird, ladybird fly away home
Your house is on fire and your children will burn
The invaders and zealots set it aflame
The fire is spreading and can’t be contained
But I’m used to breathing smoke
credits
from Songs to the Monster Under My Bed,
released May 1, 2021
Mirabai Kukathas (she/they) - lyrics, melody, vocals
Michael Grant (he/him) - piano
Matt "Sabyu" Sablan (he/him) - production
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