Broken Wings

Broken Wings is the lead and only single released from the band's second studio EP, Departure, released in late March of 2012. The song is about vocalist and lead guitarist Emily Russell's late best friend, James Ryerson, who was mauled by a bear on a camping trip in Washington in the summer of 2008.

Lyrics
Thank you for being such a friend to me

Oh, I pray a friend for life

And have I ever told you how much you mean to me?

Oh, you're everything to me

And I am so lost for words

And I am so overwhelmed

Please don't go just yet

Can you stay a moment please?

We can dance together

We can dance forever

Under your stars tonight

And I am so overwhelmed

By a thousand broken wings.

A thousand broken wings.

So close your eyes but don't dream too deep

And please pass me some memories

And when I fall you're underneath

A thousand broken hearts

Carried by a thousand broken wings.

A thousand broken wings

A thousand broken wings

A thousand voices singing reasons

Of understanding why it had to happen

A thousand voices singing reasons

Of understanding why it had to happen (A thousand broken wings)

A thousand voices singing reasons

Of understanding why it happens.

Music Video
A music video accompanied the song's release, premiering on the band's VEVO channel on March 15th, 2012. The video begins showing vocalist Emily Russell walking down a dirt road as the sun sets behind her, lined with coniferous trees on either side, singing the opening lines of the song. Periodically, the video switches to another scene depicting Russell and several male friends packing for what appears to be a camping trip. The camera continues to pan between Russell and the camping trip, until the second verse, when one of the male friends spots something in the forest beyond their campsite as dusk begins to fall. As the video enters the chorus breakdown, a grizzly bear emerges, causing Russell to scream and the person who noticed it initially to jump to action. As Russell is taken to safety by her other friends, the song pauses briefly as she is heard screaming "James." As the song enters the chorus for the final time, the camera returns to Russell on the dirt road as night has clearly fallen. As she sings, tears are visible on her face. With the song transitioning to the outro, the camera switches to the inside of a church, with everyone dressed for a funeral. Russell is seen in the front row. As the song comes to a close, she bows her head in silence.

Personnel
Emily Russell - Lead vocals

Anthony Smith - Lead guitar, backing vocals

Timothy Barro - Bass guitar

Carlie Caldwell - Rhythm guitar

Austin Sanders - Drums/percussion