A little bird I am,

A little bird I am, Shut from the fields of air, And in my cage I sit and sing To Him who place me there; Well pleased a prisoner to be, Because, my God, it pleaseth Thee.

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.

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.

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.

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.