it’s a beautiful Day, “White bird,”
from: it’s a beautiful Day, 1969
“White bird in a golden cage
On a winter’s day, in the rain
White bird in a golden cage
Alone
The leaves blow ‘cross the long, black road
To the darkened sky in its rage
But the white bird just sits in her cage
Unknown
White bird must fly, she will die
Instrumental Break
The white bird dreams of the Aspen tree
With her dying leaves turning gold
But the white bird just sits in her cage
Growing old
White bird must fly or she will die
White bird must fly or she will die
The sunsets come, the sunsets go
The clouds roll by, and the Earth turns slow
And a young bird’s eyes do always glow
And she must fly
She must fly
She must fly
[Instrumental Break]
White bird in a golden cage
On a winter’s day, in the rain
White bird in a golden cage
Alone
White bird must fly, she will die
White bird must fly or she will die
White bird must fly, she will die
White bird must fly
”
San Francisco was a hotbed of music in the late 60’s. Most notably the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Santana and Sly and the Family Stone emerged triumphant from it. Other bands that came from the Bay area that made a name for themselves were The Beau Brummels, Big Brother and the Holding Company, Blue Cheer, Moby Grape, Mother Earth, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Sons of Champlin, Quicksilver Messenger Service and It’s A Beautiful Day (among others)
David LaFlamme was the leader and violinist. In 1967 and 68, the band’s manager felt they were not ready to perform so he housed them in an attic in a house he owned in Seattle. In an interview LaFlamme had this to say about their signature song.
“Where the 'white bird' thing came from ... We were like caged birds in that attic. We had no money, no transportation, the weather was miserable. We were just barely getting by on a very small food allowance provided to us. It was quite an experience, but it was very creative in a way.”
-Alan West-
