We Are Birds

Your oldest and your dearest

Are the last ones to believe

That you'll ever reach transcendence

Before you march into your grave

The problem's not what's wasted

It's all the love you saved

While you were living

Shoulda given

Never gave

Or maybe you were a monarch

In the 16th century

In which case the life self-righteous

Is your feudal destiny

That is, until they all revolt

And take your throne away

Count the hours

'til your powers

Dissipate

And you tell me we are birds

That we are being groomed for better things

No more of standing around

And you tell me we are birds

That we are all just waiting for our wings

Until we get our feet off the ground

And see,

A better way to be

Than living week to week

-tell me we are birds and i'll believe

And we'll say oooh

Will you look at me go ?

Ohhh

Do you know? no, no.

Oooh , will you look at me go ?

And we'll know

Yes, we'll go far

Once we see what we are

All the subway people

Are waiting for the sound

They've been waiting many years

For a change to come around

So give me this my stock report

And mock me if you may

As you plunder

Ever-younger men

Everyday

And you tell me we are birds

That we are being groomed for better things

No more of standing around

And you tell me we are birds

That we are all just waiting for our wings

Until we get our feet off the ground

And see,

A better way to be

Than living week to week

-tell me we are birds and i'll believe

And we'll say oooh

Will you look at me go ?

Ohhh

Do you know? no, no.

Oooh , will you look at me go ?

And we'll know

Yes, we'll go far

Once we see what we are

Don't suppose you used to think

Of better ways to be

Don't suppose you used to conjure magic

And believe

I used that trick too many times

I fear i've been deceived

But tell me we are birds

And i'll believe .