From the recording Say My Name
Sweet Bird is a song for the birds who called to me each morning before dawn, reminding me that I could arise and carry on. The bird calls that start and end the song (and close the album) came from an ingenious wooden contraption with bellows from the 1800s. Upon your perch, above our plight, your gentle song calls forth the light. Sing to me, sweet bird.
Lyrics
Sweet bird, sing your song, sweet bird
Sweet bird, you need no words, sweet bird
Songs of darkness, songs of dawn
Inviting us to carry on
Wake the world, sweet bird
Sweet bird, sing to me, sweet bird
Sweet bird, in your own key, sweet bird
Unafraid, without shame
Tireless, you call my name
Set me free, sweet bird
Sometimes you’re all we have, sometimes we lose our path
Sweet bird, sing your song, sweet bird
Sweet bird, you need no words, sweet bird
Speak to us after rain
Announce the light will come again
Tell the world, sweet bird
Sweet bird, sing to me, sweet bird
Sweet bird, in your own key, sweet bird
You keep the night from closing in
When our dreams are paper thin
Upon your perch, above our plight
Your gentle song calls forth the light
Help me see, sweet bird
Sing to me, sweet bird
Delight us all, repeat your call, reveal to all, insistent after all
Sweet bird, sing your song, sweet bird
Sweet bird, you need no words, sweet bird
Songs of darkness, songs of dawn
Inviting us to carry on
Wake the world, sweet bird
Sweet, sweet bird
Sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet bird
Sweet, sweet bird