FAWM: "The Fledgling"

The Fledgling

Liner Notes

#oraclechallenge #4track #indiefolk #trans

This one was written for the Oracle challenge, wherein I got "The Fledgling"! Reading the descriptor, I got back to thinking about how I realized I was trans, and I thought writing the song about that would be cool. It's a little patchy lyrically, but I've done a few drafts and that's as good as I can get it for now - I like it, though. It's also kinda about my internal anxieties but that only comes in around verse 2.

I feel like I should put this here - as a trans person who lives in the United States I'm really scared right now, but I'm doing FAWM sort of to keep my mind off of that even if just for a bit so I don't go totally crazy. I just felt like if I didn't bring it up, someone was gonna. Take this as a sort of "transgender survival song" if you're into that.

Sorry you can hear my voice crack at the end of some of the high notes, I keep forgetting my range is far more limited than I think it is!

Lyrics

I am new, I am me
Who I wanted to be
Every time that I tried

In my nest I await
Something else in the way
Taking time, I don't mind

Breaking out of my steel-lined shell
Staring down the person I know so well
I'd say it's the fledgling's time to shine

I am new, I am me
And that's clear enough to see
When will I learn to fly?

Spread my wings, wait around
This idea isn't sound
Nothing to but to do

Breaking out of my steel-lined shell
The fragments on the branch still hurt like hell
I'd say it's the fledgling's time to shine

I am new, I am me
Who I wanted to be
Every time that I tried

Given time, you will find
Nothing else feels sublime
Than to be truly me

Breaking out of my steel-lined shell
Where I wind up, only time will tell
I'd say it's the fledgling's time to shine

Breaking out of my steel-lined shell
Staring down the woman I know so well
I'd say it's the fledgling's time to shine

Comments

@thedutchwidows 6d

This sounds awesome - the 4-track recording is so clean; the production's great! Great energy to this, with super strong message. Glad that FAWM's providing something to focus on, and I'm sorry that the distraction's needed...

@bijou 1w

I am glad you are able to use FAWM as a distraction. I love the accented guitar and vocals. Awesome layers as well!

@alyxanderjames 1w

Gorgeous! We need more trans survival songs, and this is a great one. As one scared and overwhelmed trans person in the US to another - I'm glad you're here, and thank you for sharing your voice with us!

@writeandwrong 2w

Beautiful work with the card! You took us all on your journey. Gentle performance from start to finish. Thank you so much for participating in the challenge!! 😄

@nancyrostMod 2w

Beautiful imagery, works on a lot of levels. Sweet arrangement too, the way it builds just like the emergence it describes.

@ccsfrogpond 2w

Thank you for sharing this song and for providing the background information about yourself! The way you transform your experiences into music is inspiring. This song is both catchy and heartfelt. I’m grateful to have experienced it, thank you for being unapologetically you! 🐸