Malvina Reynolds: Song Lyrics and Poems  



Rail Birds

Notes: words and music by Malvina Reynolds; copyright 1963 Schroder Music Company, renewed 1991.


I walked thro the park when Spring was in the sky,
Whole bunch of young men watched as I went by,
Children of the dead end, nothing on their mind,
Sitting on a park rail all in a line.

Rail birds, rail birds, sitting on a rail,
Jail birds, jail birds, sitting in the jail,
Young, strong and handsome, best that can be found,
Rail birds, jail birds, ten cents a pound.

Rail birds, jail birds, young, strong and fine,
Rail birds, jail birds, I wish they were mine,
Big computer running, hardly makes a sound,
Rail birds, jail birds, ten cents a pound.

Nobody wants them but the girlies who cry,
Girlies cannot have them, and here's the reason why,
If you are a rail bird, husband you are none,
Rail birds, jail birds, ten cents a ton.

Rail birds, rail birds, sitting in the park,
Jail birds, jail birds, sitting in the dark,
Nobody wants them, so young and so fine,
Rail birds, jail birds, I wish they were mine.


Malvina Reynolds songbook(s) in which the music to this song appears:
---- The Muse of Parker Street

Malvina Reynolds recording(s) on which this song is performed:
---- [none]


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