Green Finch and Linnet Bird

Green finch and linnet bird, nightingale, blackbird How is it you sing? How can you jubilate, singing in cages Never taking wing? Outside, the sky waits, beckoning, beckoning Just beyond the bars How can you remain , staring at the rain Maddened by the stars? How is it you sing anything? How is it you sing? Green finch and linnet bird, nightingale, blackbird How is it you sing? Whence comes this melody, constantly flowing? Is it rejoicing or merely hallowing? Are you discussing or fussing Or simply dreaming? Are you crowing? Are you screaming? Ringdove and robinet, is it for wages? Singing to be sold? Have you decided, it's safer in cages Singing when you're told? My cage has many rooms, damask and dark Nothing there sings, not even a lark Larks never will, you know, when they're captive Teach me to be more adaptive, ah Green finch, and linnet bird, nightingale, blackbird Teach me how to sing If I cannot fly Let me sing