It’s Friday, and…well, not so much.  We know too many out there in throes, dispirited and arc-less.  And the relentless gray is our tailspinner.  Convenient, then, that we stumbled anew upon Andrew Bird’s Take Courage, and were taken down and lifted up.  Take Courage was a bonus track from Bird’s 2009 album Noble Beast.  Check out the studio version of the song immediately below, and after, two live performances–one well-recorded (audio anyway), and one well-captured (video anyway–at the Guggenheim).  And know that you’re not alone.  The song’s lyrics precede the videos.  And if you need more convincing, let Mavis Staples and Jeff Tweedy provide further assurance HERE.

“Night’s falling, so take courage
that you’re not alone, no you’re not alone.
Night’s falling, so take courage
that you’re not alone, no you’re not alone
Then these words begin to crumble like the sidewalks
all around this crumby neighborhood.
And from the chalky Cliffs of Dover, I’d come over,
I’d start over if I could.

From the tropic of Cancer, to Capricorn,
you’re so far from you’re so far along.
Now you spin dirty laundry
You dream of the kind of love you knew the day you’re born

Night’s falling, so take courage
that you’re not alone, no you’re not alone.
Night’s falling, so take courage
that you’re not alone, no you’re not alone.

Night’s falling, night’s falling,
but you’re not alone, no you’re not alone.

You swallow far from home
It’s how you find your room

Though my words begin to crumble like the sidewalks
all around this crumby neighborhood.

And from these chalky Cliffs of Dover, I’d come over
I’d start over if I could.

Night’s falling, night’s falling,
but you’re not alone, no you’re not alone.
Night’s falling, night’s falling,
but you’re not alone, no you’re not alone.
Take courage, take courage,
that you’re not along, no you’re not alone.

Night’s falling, night’s falling,
but you’re not alone, no you’re not alone.
Take courage, take courage,
that you’re not along, no you’re not alone.”