She kept a bird in a gilded cage© GERALD ENGLAND
He sang so lovely a joy to hear
And she loved her bird in the gilded cage
until people told her it was cruel
to keep a bird in a gilded cage
- Birds like yours need their freedom - they said
- Set it free, let it roam, let it scavenge for food -
So she opened the door of the gilded cage
but the bird stayed inside, sang louder
- See - she said to her taunters - he wants to stay -
- You feed him too well, you are cruel -
When the bird grew hungry he left the cage
found food and then returned to the gilded cage
The bird sang louder, happy inside
She was happy too
since the bird returned always to the gilded cage
It was free to roam and free to return
But the bird will one day not return,
find food in another's cage,
sing for the new provider of his food,
sing louder still though the door be shut.
Composed: Sheffield, 7th November 1973
Publications
1987 Z Miscellaneous (USA)
1991 Lo Straniero (Italy)
1992 STEALING KISSES (Hyde, New Hope International)
1998 Ultimate Ceasefire (Australia)
2008 Ackworth born, gone West (Internet)
One of the most beautiful things Darwin ever wrote was his opinion about songs of male birds. He said that they may be God's standard of beauty. But aren't they really the standard of beauty set by the females of their species? I've paraphrased, of course, but I'd never forget something as beautiful as that. Thanks, Gerald.
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