Golden Bird - Levon Helm

Walking along on a path in the mountains

I saw a bird flying way up high

Gold were its wings in the sun of the morning

Flashing at me as it flew through the sky

It’s beauty was such, and I felt I must have it

She stood all day, nearly into the night

Finally angered that I couldn’t catch it

Determined that I would stop it in flight

I found a stone by a mountain stream flowing

Rounded and smoothed by the water’s fast flow

It felt so warm and alive in my hand

It was an arrow, my arm was a bow

Then a flashing of wings, and a cry pierced the air

It fluttered and it fell on the rocks at my feet

Weeping I left it, the thing that had fallen

Blood stained my hands and tears wet my cheek

Later that night as I lay in my bed

I heard the sound of wings in the air

The room became bathed in a warm, golden glow

I opened my eyes and a woman stood there

(Duet with a woman)

Did not you know when you hurt me so cruelly

I was your love, I was your friend

You couldn’t stand it that I was so free

Now you will never see me again