I.
Pretty bird! pretty bird!
Singing so sweet;
Art wishing for freedom—
Bird-friends to meet?
II.
Dost thou guess what it is—
Living in trees?
And to sleep in a nest
Rocked by the breeze?
III.
Thou wert born in a cage,
My own dear bird!
But, I fancy, new longings
Thy heart have stirred.
IV.
Or perhaps to the garden
Some bird has flown,
And taught thee of freedom,
Before unknown.

V.
If I open thy cage
And bid thee to fly,
Wilt thou ever come back,
To gladden mine eye?
VI.
Shall I hear thy sweet song,
Morning and eve?
Or wilt thou forever
Thy mistress leave?
VII.
Well, dear little bird!
I'll open thy door:
Fly forth to the woods;
I'll cage thee no more.
VIII.
But when winter months come,
With storm-winds that blow,
Come back; I will shelter thee
From the storm and snow.