Meaning of "Swan Swan H" by R.E.M.

"Swan Swan H" by R.E.M. delves into the concept of freedom both in a literal and metaphorical sense. The repeated phrase "swan, swan, hummingbird, hurrah, we are all free now" suggests a sense of liberation and breaking free from constraints. The imagery of "noisy cats" and "people talk to me" evokes a feeling of chaos and chatter, perhaps reflecting the noise of the world around us. The references to Johnny Reb and the Civil War era bring in a historical context, questioning the price of heroism and sacrifices made in the name of freedom. The contrast between a pistol hot cup of rhyme and whiskey being water, and water being wine, plays with the idea that perceptions can be fluid and subjective. Overall, the song seems to be a reflection on the complexities of freedom, the cost of heroism, and the passage of time.