Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: singer-songwriter
Song Meaning of “King of Birds” by Karine Polwart
Karine Polwart’s song “King of Birds” is a haunting reflection of her journey of personal growth. The song follows her as she reflects on the moments in her life that have been most significant in terms of her growth and her understanding of the natural world. She looks to the symbolic figure of “the king of birds” to represent her own journey of learning and discovery.
The lyrics of “King of Birds” paints a vivid picture of the struggles and fears that Karine felt while coming to terms with her own sense of consciousness. She sings of the painful moments she experienced as she learned about life and death, “The fear when I jumped and I had to feel those hands no longer reach me.” As she reflects on these struggles, she realizes that she must ultimately face the “pheasant king of birds” on her own.
Karine comes to terms with her own power and position in the world, evidenced by the lines “I carry the poise of the phoenix at my side, and know I hold the flame inside.” She no longer needs the guidance of a traditional authority figure, as she is now strong enough to stand on her own two feet and be the “king of birds.” Ultimately, Karine finds solace in the idea that she is the center of her own world, finding strength in the fact that she is in control of her own destiny.