BIRD IN A CAGE by Jean Ritchie

Bird in a cage, Love,
Bird in a cage.
Begging for freedom,
Dying a slave,
Dying a slave.

High on the mountain,
Valley so low;
All you can feel, dear,
Is the cold rain and snow,
Cold rain and snow.

Turn your back on me,
Court whom you please;
I can't forget you,
Darlin', I can't get free.
I can't get free.

I'm a bird in a cage, Love,
Just a bird in a cage.
Begging for freedom,
And I'm dying a slave,
Dying a slave.

Build up your walls, Love,
Build them so high.
Only let me see you,
Darlin', as you pass by,
As you pass by.

For I'm a bird in a cage, Love,
Little bird in a cage.
Begging for freedom,
And I'm dying a slave,
Dying a slave.

SOURCE: Jean Ritchie: Celebration of Life (Geordie, 1971), p. 52.