Bel Canto - Birds of Passage (live at Sirkus Midgard)

This is the title track from Bel Canto’s second album, released in 1990. At the time, the trio frequently moved between two contrasting habitats: their Arctic hometown of Tromsø and their new base in the Belgian capital, Brussels. The lyrics may reflect a sense of kinship with migratory birds—creatures who, like the band, depend on navigating between distant extremes to sustain their lives and identity. The footage is taken from the cinema music documentary Stein & Stjerner, which follows a 1994 concert tour featuring Bel Canto and their longtime friends and collaborators, DumDum Boys. The bands toured with their own circus tent, carrying the full production, consisting of more than 300 meters of trucks, trailers, and buses. Those who have attended Bel Canto concerts may know that the band often makes bold changes and new arrangements to their material. Birds of Passage is one of the songs that has undergone several transformations over the years, and this video captures a rare live version of that song. BIRDS OF PASSAGE Feel the winds on the ridges The whirls in the meadows The ice-capped reeds announce That the air is colder I feel the strength of my heart Quiver inside me But I have no cure For the languor in your eyes So don't ask That question ´cos I don't know the reason Why it must be just like this No don't ask That question Believe me I don't know why It has to end this way The wind will carry me away The wind that would have killed us both It saves my life Your wish I'll keep in mind And if it won't come true Our dream will dream Songwriters: Anneli Drecker / Geir Bjornar Jenssen / Nils P. Johansen Anneli: Vocals Nils: Guitar Andreas Eriksen: Percussion Kirsti Nyutstumo: Bass guitar Front of house mix: Trond Mikalsen Backline technician: Bjørn "Bønna" Helberg Monitor engineer: Andre Trebbi Mixed for soundtrack: Ulf Holand Lighting engineer: Tord Knutsen Bel Canto thanks Lars Nilssen and Odd Syse at Sherpa Film for making it possible to use footage from the movie Stein & Stjerner.