From the recording Better World
A cover, written by Billy Edd Wheeler in the early-1960s. I have been playing the song for over 50 years in one form or another. It has been covered by many artists including Jefferson Airplane and Richie Havens. Our versions brings together prior iterations along with our own interpretation.
Lyrics
HIGH FLYING BIRD
by Billy Edd Wheeler
Verse 1:
There’s a high flyin’ bird
Way up in the sky
Sometimes I wonder does she look down
As she flies on by
Ridin’ on the air so easy
In the sky
Chorus:
Look at me here
I’m rooted like a tree here
You got to, sit down
Can’t cry
Can’t fly
I’m gonna die blues
Verse 2:
Sun comes along
And lights up the day
When she gets tired
She just moves on over the way
Risin’ in the east
She lights up the day
Chorus:
Look at me here
I’m rooted like a tree here
You got to, sit down
Can’t cry
Can’t fly
I’m gonna die blues
Verse 3:
I had friend
Who wished he could fly
So one day he spread his wings
To the sky
Spread his wing to the sky
And he up and died
Chorus:
Look at me here
I’m rooted like a tree here
You got to, sit down
Can’t cry
[Can’t fly
I’m gonna die blues
Sit down Can’t cry Can’t fly
I’m gonna die blues
Sit down Can’t cry Can’t fly
I’m gonna die blues
Sit down Can’t cry Can’t fly
Oh Lord I’m gonna die blues
I got those stationary blues
Sit down Can’t cry Can’t fly
I’m gonna die.... blues