Listen to Magpie by Beth Orton

Magpie

Beth Orton

Alternative

14,478

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OVERVIEW

LYRICS

Music Video

Upcoming Concerts for Beth Orton

Sep
12
Sep 12, 2025
Cyprus Avenue
Cork

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Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS

Beth Orton

Performer

Carl Broemel

Electric Guitar

Eyvind Kang

Viola

Laura Veirs

Background Vocals

Marc Ribot

Electric Guitar

Nate Query

Bass

COMPOSITION & LYRICS

Beth Orton

Songwriter

PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING

Sean Read

Vocal Recording Engineer

Lyrics

[Verse 1]

Magpie, magpie

I stand here watching the world go by

I wonder do you ever question why?

Oh, crow, oh, crow

I'm standin' here wonderin' what you know

You've seen more of the day than I could dream

[Verse 2]

And I do not know what I'd tell you

I do not know what I'd say to you

I do not know what will set your free

[Verse 3]

But it's a hard, hard fight

A hard, hard fight

And I'm turnin' this one in

I'm turnin' this one in

[Verse 4]

I won't turn back, I've seen the sign

I won't turn back, not for anyone

I've seen the sign

And I know what is mine

[Verse 5]

Oh, what a lie, what a lie, what a lie, what a lie

What a lie looks like

Yeah, what a lie, what a lie, what a lie, what a lie

What a lie looks like

[Verse 6]

Bluejay, bluejay

I don't think you mean quite what you say

I'm hoping you're the friend you claim to be

Oh, crow, oh, crow

Will you tell me please, tell me please what you know?

You've seen more of the world than I could dream

[Verse 7]

And I do not know what I'd tell you

I do not know to say to you

I do not know what will set your free

[Verse 8]

But it's a hard, hard fight

A hard, hard fight

And I'm turnin' this one in

I'm turnin' this one in

[Verse 9]

And I won't turn back, I've seen the sign

I won't turn back, not for anyone

I've seen the sign

And I know I am free

[Verse 10]

Oh, what a lie, what a lie, what a lie, what a lie

What a lie looks like

Oh, what a lie, what a lie, what a lie, what a lie

What a lie looks like

[Verse 11]

Silence when I won't be here anymore

Silence when I won't be here anymore

Silence when I won't be here anymore

Silence when I won't be here anymore

Written by: Beth Orton

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