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Nov 02, 2018 By Christopher Roberts Andrew Bird

Andrew Bird has shared a new political song, “Bloodless,” via a video for the track. The six-and-a-half-minute song references the Spanish Civil War and posits that America is currently in “an uncivil war” and that it’s “bloodless for now.” No doubt this is timed to next Tuesday’s important midterm elections. The song is subtly funky. Matthew Daniel Siskin directed the black & white clip, which features images of city streets and Bird in the studio. Watch it below. Also below are the lyrics to the song.

Bird had this to say about the song in a press release: “We find ourselves in a cold civil war. Everyone is playing their part too well. Certain actors are reaping power and wealth from divisiveness. Echoes of the Spanish Civil War when fascists and clergy win because they put up a united front against the individualistic and principled (yet scattered) left. We can turn this ship around but need to step back and be honest with ourselves about what’s happening while it’s still relatively bloodless.”

“Bloodless” will be available on 7-inch on December 14, with “Capital Crimes” as the B-side. Bird’s last album, Are You Serious, was released in 2016 via Loma Vista.

“Bloodless” Lyrics:

They’re Profiting From Your Worry
Selling Blanks Down at the DMZ
Banking on the Sound and Fury
Wonder What It’s to do With Me

Bloodless for Now

I’m Keeping Mine With the Altruists
Putting my Weight Behind the Dancer
I Know It’s Hard to be an Optimist
When You Trust Least the Ones Who Claim to Have the Answers

And It’s an Uncivil War

Bloodless for Now

And the Poets They Explode Like Bombs
While the Gentry is Drinking Moët Chandon
Turn Around and Quote a Well Known Psalm:
Don’t You Worry ‘Bout the Wicked
Don’t You Envy Those Who do Wrong
And Your Innocence Will be Like the Dawn
While the Justice of Your Cause Will Shine Like the Noonday Sun

The Best Have Lost Their Convictions
While the Worst Keep
Sharpening Their Claws
Peddling in Their Dark Fictions
While What’s Left of Us We Just Hem and We Haw

And it Feels Like 1936
In Catalonia
Catalonia

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