This is a wonderful song that I was reminded of lately when someone was talking about a mynah bird. Listen
What's the Use of Wings If You Can't Fly? by Brian Bedford
I could have been a giant, said the bonsai tree
But someone bound my roots and held me down
I could have reached for heaven, said the snowy owl
But they clipped my wings and kept me on the groundI think I heard them tell me that they loved me
They would care for me; without them I would die
But what's the use of roots if you can't spread them
And what's the use of wings if you can't fly?
I could have been a singer, said the mynah bird
But they caged me and then told me what to say
I could have run forever, said the pony
But they bridled me and made me go their wayI think I heard them tell me that they loved me
They would care for me; forever so it seems
But what's the use of voices with no freedom
And what's the use of living others' dreams?
Why do people cage the things they love the most
Is it simply that they fear to be alone?
If you give your love its freedom, it may stay a while
If it leaves you it was never yours to own.
I could have found adventure, said the angel fish
Now my world's so small there's nowhere left to go
I could have ruled a kingdom, said the lion
Now the land inside my head is all I knowI think I heard them tell me that they loved me
They would care for me; and tell me it's all right
But what's the use of life without adventure
And what's the use of strength if you can't fight?
Why do people cage the things they love the most
Is it simply that they fear to be alone?
If you give your love its freedom, it may stay a while
If it leaves you it was never yours to own.I know I heard them tell me that they loved me
They would care for me; without them I would die
But what's the use of roots if you can't spread them
And what's the use of wings if you can't fly?
