Green Finch and Linnet Bird - Mandy Patinkin

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