Where The Pieces Fall

Painted Skin

Mama can you tell me why pretty bird has wings but still can’t fly, high or low, thick or thin, beauty goes as deep as painted skin.

Hear my story from of old, every true and righteous soul.
Saints and sinners side by side, no difference, no great divide.

I dreamt about a ghostly flightless bird, sang the strangest song I ever heard.

Mama can you tell me why pretty bird has wings but still can’t fly, high or low, thick or thin, beauty goes as deep as painted skin.

I ain’t gonna cast no stones, you got yours, I got my own.
We all come from the same place, don’t go preaching in my face.

I dreamt about a ghostly flightless bird, sang the strangest song I ever heard.

Mama can you tell me why pretty bird has wings but still can’t fly, high or low, thick or thin, beauty goes as deep as painted skin.

Painted Skin lyrics and music by Donald P. Johnson
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Brief interview with Donald conducted by WTPF:

WTPF – You have described yourself as a writer of “Work Songs”. What Aesthetic and philosophical criteria do you consider when you are making one?

Donald P. Johnson – Primal, rhythmic, keep you going, vent frustrations, connect you to the bigger picture.
The collection is dedicated to the Petits; What they went through was horrific and undeserved. the whole collection is called “work songs” and is dedicated to the petit family/a microcosm of society.
This particular song addresses superficiality.
The collection is a continuum, like “leaves of grass”

WTPF – Thanks.

Watch Donald’s Propaganda video here.