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

Copyright: Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Writer(s): Stephen Sondheim