Green Finch and Linnet bird Nightingale, Blackbird How is it you sing? How can you jubilate Sitting 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 floating? Is it rejoicing or merely a loaming? Are you discussing? Or fussing Or simply dreaming? Are you crowing? Are you screaming? Ring dove 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 my Lark Larks never will, you know When they're captive Teach me to be more adaptive Green Finch and Linnet bird Nightingale, Blackbird Teach me how to sing If I cannot fly Let me sing