Lyrics
[intro]
[Soft harmonica melody mimicking a distant bird call, gradually joined by gentle acoustic guitar fingerpicking]
[verse 1]
There's a bluebird in my heart, wanting to break free (Mmm-hmm)
But I'm too tough, I say "Stay in there, where no one can see" (No, no, no)
I pour whiskey on him, inhale cigarette smoke (sshhhhhhh)
Bartenders and clerks, they don't know the joke (Heh-heh-heh)
[chorus]
Bluebird in my heart, beating blue wings (Ooh-ooh-ooh)
Against my ribs, against my sins (Ay-yay-yay)
I keep you hidden, I keep you caged
(Humming softly)
My secret sorrow, my silent rage (Grumble: Mmm-mmm)
[instrumental break 1]
[Slide guitar solo with harmonica accents]
[verse 2]
Bluebird in my heart, trying to mess me up (Up, up, up)
I say "Stay down, don't screw up my European book sales, sup?" (Spoken: "You hear me?")
I'm too clever, I only let him out at night (Hoo-hoo, like an owl)
When everyone's asleep, out of sight (Shh-shh-shh)
[chorus]
Bluebird in my heart, beating blue wings (Ooh-ooh-ooh)
Against my ribs, against my sins (Ay-yay-yay)
I keep you hidden, I keep you caged (Humming softly)
My secret sorrow, my silent rage (Grumble: Mmm-mmm)
[instrumental break 2]
[Harmonica solo mimicking birdsong, backed by fingerpicked guitar ]
[bridge]
I whisper, "I know that you're there, don't be sad" (Spoken softly)
Put him back, but he's singing, just a tad (La-lah-lahhh)
We sleep together, our secret pact (Gentle snoring sound)
Enough to make a man weep, but I hold back (Sharp intake of breath)
[chorus]
Bluebird in my heart, beating blue wings (Ooh-ooh-ooh)
Against my ribs, against my sins (Ay-yay-yay)
I keep you hidden, I keep you caged (Humming softly)
My secret sorrow, my silent rage (Grumble: Mmm-mmm)
[outro]
There's a bluebird in my heart (Caw-caw, but soft)
I haven't let him die, we're never apart (Wordless humming)
It's nice enough to make a man weep (Sniffle)
But I don't weep, I just let him sleep (Yodel-lay-hee-hoo, fading out)
[fade out]
Harmonica and guitar gently fading, with soft whistling
