Famous Flower of Manhattan

The Avett Brothers · Four Thieves Gone The Robbinsville Sessions [2006]

And I found a flower in a field

A field of cars and people

Rows of concrete, paint, and steel

Manhattan is where it grew



And I thought to cut it from its stem

And take it from the cracks

Between bricks that it lay in

And save it from city strife

Away from the city life



Then someone they whispered in my ear

A county girl can't be made out of anybody here

Don't touch it, it loves you not

Don't touch it, it loves you not



Cause blue birds don't fly without their wings

And when we put them in a cage

the world can't hear them sing

So selfish when greed sets in

Possession, the king of sin



And people don't ever let you down

Forever find a way to kill

whatever life they've found

A heart beat and I want it too

Manhattan is where she grew



So I left and I let the flower be

And yesterday saw the flower on cable TV

Much prettier than here with me

For all of the world to see

Much prettier than here with me