One With The Birds Lyrics

Will Oldham One With The Birds

leave me alone is all that I say
when I have nothing in me to give away
a purple martin in her house, she hollers at me
why be inhuman ? why be like me ?

chorus:
like so many robins, like so many doves
like so many lovebirds with so many loves
like the songs of the bobwhite
without any words
when we are inhuman we're one with the birds

at six in the morning you rise from the pillow
stand steaming above me; I slumber below
I'm one with the blanket laying fragrant and loose
you're one with a whipporwill,
you're one with a goose

chorus

so tweet with me and widely spread
your olive wings: embrace my head
fly with me 'til we are dead
and one with the birds

like so many seagulls
like so many hawks
like so many thrushes
and so many cocks
a swallow will tell you without using
misleading
heartrending words
when we are inhuman we're one with the birds
"when we hide our feelings we may as well fly away"