Birds Of Paradise Farm (Bonus Track)

(album: A Short Album About Love - 1997)

My parents knew these people who
For all their faults were very nice
They owned a farm whose "Olde Worlde" charm
Earned it the name of "Paradise"

We came to stay one holiday
We played croquet and burned our arms
But I was charmed and lost for words
When first I heard the birds of Paradise Farm

Singing gay songs all the day long
Making love to the dinner gong
Wondering when their human friend
Would come to feed them

I looked in the trees and in the air
I searched the eaves of disused barns
Till finally, to my despair
I found the caged birds in Paradise Farm

Singing gay songs all the day long
Making love to the dinner gong
Wondering why their tiny lives
Should be spent behind iron bars

Now "Leonardo da Vinci"
"St. Francis of Assisi"
But "Neil Hannon of The See House, Fivemiletown"
Well, it doesn't sound quite right somehow

Singing gay songs all summer long
Making love to the dinner gong
Wondering when their human friend
Would come to free them

When the last day came, I took my time
They called my name, and revved the car
"When nature calls you must reply", they laughed
Waving goodbye to Paradise Farm