I believe this song is about losing his innocence, and the pain and confusion that come with maturity and first love. I do not think it's about a literal pregnancy of any sort though. I'm trying to see how the womb and the mother reference could tie into all of this but I just can't seem to put it together. Maroon could represent the color of the blood, and the consequent pain brought on.

It's not a literal bird he's singing about, of course, I think he's just meaning that there's an intense pain or suffering of some sort going on here. The bird has been shot or hurt in some way. The bird explanation makes more sense to me, especially when you refer to the part that says 'only love is all maroon, gluey feathers on the flume.' What would make the feathers 'gluey'? Blood.

This wary bird must be symbolic of something. I think it's supposed to say 'lapping lakes like LEERY loons.' Leery (not Leary) means cautious or distrustful. Also, I don't believe that the line 'Leary loons' has any connection to Timothy Leary, as someone else stated. The loon is an aquatic bird, that often dives underwater. I did more research on 'loons', which some people think is a reference to some kind of crazy, as in looney but I disagree. Don't hate, it's probably nonsense but I'm trying here. I've skimmed some of the comments and here's my two cents. This song is gorgeous but I'd much rather it be a profoundly beautiful song, as opposed to just a shallow, meaningless one. I'm really hoping that this song means something, and that the lyrics aren't a bunch of nonsense that just sound good. rope burns don't happen unless he tried to hold on. again, he is wandering down the river/stream. mother on the wall is a photograph of someone who passed away. he's still attached to whatever he left behind. pieces of himself left behind as he parted ways. not only does love hurt, but it doesn't quite look as glorious after it's done with you. now you know what it looks like to see him without his masks. he's saying this because he was abandoned/betrayed by people close to him rope burns don't happen unless he tried to hold on.feeling so alone it's driving him mad.again, he is wandering down the river/stream.mother on the wall is a photograph of someone who passed away.pieces of himself left behind as he parted ways.

he's saying this because he was abandoned/betrayed by people close to him.

Friends flume lyrics