This was written two years ago while sitting in my car in a downtown back alley waiting from my brother to finish work. It struck me then that only circumstance separated me from those that lived in the alley.

I was never sure what to do with this song. It’s a bit preachy and dour…. but I am hoping that maybe it can be used to spread a bit of love and compassion.

Please feel free to mix, re-sing, re-design.

Three Birds in an Alley

Three birds in an alley
on the seedy side of town
Two sparrows and a pigeon
All pecking at the ground
Hard to tell if it’s the crumb
or the worms they’re searching for
I only know they look in vain

I don’t know if they’re okay
I don’t know what’s right
All I know is that they were never meant
For this alley or this life

There’s a dumpster to the right
overflowing with misuse
And a man with broken shoes
Living out the blues
I’m not sure how he ended here
He used to be on track
I only know it’s not where he belongs

I don’t know if he’s okay
I don’t know what’s right
All I know is he was never meant
For this alley or this life

There used to be a princess
All sugar sweet and spice
Waited on hand and foot
Like it was her right
Now this road holds her here
a cell without a roof
And on this cold December morn
She stands chilled

I don’t know if she’s okay
I don’t know what’s right
All I know is she was never meant
For this alley or this life

Tower sparkles in the sun
Just a block away
Through the glass I can see
The comfort of their ways
In my mind I see myself
Living in their shoes
In another life
At another time

I don’t know if I’m okay
I don’t know what’s right
All I know is I was never meant
For this alley or this life

Three birds in an alley on the seedy side of town