A Song of Love

• An all-ages song about helping to heal an injured bird and then... letting go

Music by Ron Klusmeier
Words by Walter Farquharson
Tune Name: CARLYLE

Lyrics as Poetry

Today I saw a little bird,
a bird that could not fly.
The bird was hurt and frightened:
That made me want to cry.I took the bird right home with me
to keep it safe from harm.
We bandaged up its damaged wing.
We fed and kept it warm.And someday soon that little bird
will fly away so free.
I only hope it might come back
to sing a song for me.


Words by
Walter FarquharsonCopyright © 1984 by Walter Farquharson
Administered by Hope Publishing Company
Carol Stream, Illinois • USA

Comments About Song

A Reflection by
WALTER FARQUHARSON


Jesus had a particular concern for the hurting creatures and people of the world. With that thought in mind, this song celebrates not only the matter of being willing to help those who are vulnerable and in need, but also the offering of freedom as a gift for the ones who have been helped.

A child will usually respond with sympathy upon seeing or hearing about an injured bird or a stray kitten. However, prejudices implanted early in children’s minds may diminish compassion toward people who are hurting. We have subtle but cruel ways of judging or ‘putting down’ others — “She’s only a bag lady”, or “His parents are just migrant workers”.

We should seek to help one another not in order to foster restraint or dependency, but so that healing, wholeness, and freedom might result. It is good to feed the hungry, but also necessary to help them find or regain ways of feeding themselves. No one — not a child, a sick person, a poor person, or an old person — wants to be just a receiver. Therefore, we must learn to let others give of themselves, choose for themselves, and participate freely as partners in God’s good work.

In this song, we anticipate the bird coming back to sing a song, not only for us, but with us. After we have helped to heal it (bandaged, fed, and kept it warm), we must offer freedom (let the bird go) and hope our act of caring will be remembered, (“I only hope it might come back to sing a song with me.”). These same rules can also apply to God’s human creatures.

                                                    Audio Sample

"A SONG OF LOVE"
One verse + optional refrain
played on piano

Scripture References

  • Psalm 68:5-6
  • Psalm 84:3
  • Matthew 6:25
  • Matthew 25:34-40
  • Luke 12:24

Season, Theme
or Subject

  • All-ages
  • Care, Caring
  • Children∶ music about
  • Children∶ music for
  • Compassion
  • Heal, Healing
  • Intergenerational
  • Letting Go

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