1. 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.
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 and 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.