It seems it has been three plus years since anyone has posted on this subject, but I am beyond thrilled to find this. My grandmother used to sing me the green co. AL version of free bird/kitty Kline. I have tried before to find the lyrics and failed. This AL version is closest to what I remember. My grandmother came from NM however her mother was a chuck wagon cook from oaklahoma and I bet that is where the song came to her from. Anyway, if anyone is still on this forum, and cares, here is what I can remember:

If I were a little bird, I would never build my nest on the ground
I would build my nest high up in the tree where the bad boys couldn't bother me

Take me home dear momma, take me home
Take me home, dear momma, take me home
Take me home dear momma take me home
To the old sunny south take me home

If I were a little fish, I would swim to the bottom of the sea
And there I'd sing this happy happy song
.....(sorry I can never remember what she would sing here, so I always just humm through it )

If anyone has a recording of this version, or anything close to it I would love to hear it.

Cheers,
Kristin