Fly Low Carrion Crow

"Fly Low Carrion Crow" by Two Gallants is a haunting exploration of mortality, guilt, and the desire for liberation from the burdens of life. The song's central metaphor, the carrion crow, is a traditional symbol of death and decay, often associated with the scavenging of the dead. In this context, the crow is invoked as a liberator, tasked with freeing the narrator's soul from the weight of their experiences and the secrets they carry.

The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a tormented mind, trapped within a "rib-caged brain," suggesting a sense of confinement and internal struggle. The imagery of polishing brass and dusting pain implies a futile attempt to maintain appearances or cope with emotional turmoil. The narrator's plea to be dropped "into the depths below" underscores a longing for release, perhaps from the judgment of others who deem them "sick" while claiming their own sanity.

The song also touches on themes of love and foreboding, with a warning of an "end foretold" and a life spent waiting for death. This sense of inevitability and the futility of words to capture the depth of emotion further emphasize the narrator's isolation and despair. The repetition of the line "for the things I've seen no one else should know" suggests a burden of knowledge or experience too heavy to bear, reinforcing the desire for the crow to carry away the remnants of a life marked by suffering and secrets.