Fly, little bird

Fly, little bird, upon the breeze,
Through hill and valley, where'er you please.
On swiftest wind you do alight,
O'er mountain and valley, day and night.
But little bird, fly straight with care,
For on your journey you must beware
Of the cat's claws, and how they scratch,
And young man's fingers, they might snatch
You from your flight; if they only knew
Your freedom; why, they'd cry for you.
But be not afraid, for you must fly
On strands of air, up to the sky.
Past oak and hawthorn, cherry, pine
Far from this cage, this cage of mine.