Standard (EADGBE)

 There once was a young bird, he was plain as could be

He looked like any other, that much i could see

 And i'd written him off, untill i was proved wrong

 The day that this bird started singing his song.

 And a freedom i've not felt since i was a boy

 Overtook my whole being, i was filled with joy

 But then i became worried, that the bird would not stay

 So i cornered him, caged him up, locked him away.

 I said,"Sing me the song you sang moments ago,

 it made me feel happy and made my heart flow"

 But he looked at me sadly and his eyes, they turned bleek

 And there was not a sound coming out from his beek.

 So tried to entice him to get him to sing

 But he seemed to be sad, though he had everything

 And as the weeks passed, he looked worse everyday

 he seemed to be dying, yet still i would say,

 I'd say,"Sing me that old song that you sang before

 it's been so long i don't know anymore

 just how the tune went, won't you sing it for me?

 And if it had words tell me what would they be?"

(decrease tempo)

 And then the time came

 when the bird passed away

 but he told me the words to his song on that day

He said...

 "The song that i wrote...

 the one i shared with you...

 it was a song about freedom that i hold so true

(increase tempo)

 And i'd sing you the song but my freedom is gone

 and now i am dying but soon i'll journey on

 to a place where those sweet notes will be heard again

 and my song about freedom i'll sing for you then."

Ohhhhhhhhhh

 I said,"Forgive me dear God for this wrong i have done

 my selfish heart took the life of this one

 But i pray that one day i will join him and then

 i'll hear that sweet song of freedom again

i'll hear that sweet song of freedom again

i'll hear that sweet song of freedom again

i'll hear that sweet song of freedom again.

(outro)