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

Writer : D. SYLVIAN, R. FRIPP, P. GUNN
Copyright : Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group