Lyrics:

I met a man with eyes like glass
Whose youthful days were gone and passed
He told me in a cardboard tone
How long ago he once had flown
'When I was young,' he did relate
'I'd watch the birds as they'd escape
From the greedy ground we grovelled on
Into the clouds and then beyond'

What kind of bird am I?
How can I learn to fly?

'And so each day I'd try,' he said
'To let go of my mind of lead
And with my body floating free
Swim in the air, as in the sea
This was my greatest, strongest wish
And so the air did not resist
One day above the ground I rose
And felt the air beneath my toes'

What kind of boy am I?
How can I learn to fly?
What kind of boy am I?
How can I learn to fly?


'I rose above the tallest trees
And somersaulted in the breeze
I dove with lightning speed and then
I shot up to the clouds again
I jumped off buildings with delight
And laughed at those afraid of heights
What need has anyone for fear
When we are free and the sky is near?'

O what a boy was I?
When do we learn to die?
O what a boy was I?
When do we learn to die?

Wood is splitting, giving way
Time is master, years obey
Line from line is torn apart
Air, like arrows, penetrates into the heart

'And when I saw I was alone
And no one close to me would come
I soon forgot the joy of sky
And gently back to Earth came I
I've never flown again,' said he
'Because we're all alike, you see
Our sameness strengthens unity
And no one needs to question me'

What kind of boy was I?
How could I learn to fly?
What kind of boy was I?
How could I learn to fly?