1     A little bird I am,

       Shut from the fields of air,

    And in my cage I sit and sing

       To Him who placed me there;

    Well pleased a prisoner to be,

    Because, my God, it pleaseth Thee.

 2     Nought have I else to do,

       I sing the whole day long;

    And He whom most I love to please

       Doth listen to my song;

    He caught and bound my wandering wing;

    But still He bends to hear me sing.

 3     Thou hast an ear to hear

       A heart to love and bless;

    And though my notes were e'er so rude,

       Thou wouldst not hear the less;

    Because Thou knowest as they fall,

    That love, sweet love, inspires them all.

 4     My cage confines me round;

       Abroad I cannot fly;

    But though my wing is closely bound,

       My heart's at liberty;

    For prison walls cannot control

    The flight, the freedom of the soul.

 5     O it is good to soar

       These bolts and bars above!

    To Him whose purpose I adore,

       Whose providence I love;

    And in Thy mighty will to find

    The joy, the freedom of the mind.