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.

• Birds of Paradise Farm
• Comme Beaucoup De Messieurs
• Everybody Knows
• Famous
• Gin-soaked Boy
• Hate My Way
• I've Been to a Marvellous Party
• Johnny Mathis' Feet
• Last Stand in Metroland
• Life's What You Make It
• Little Acts of Kindness
• London Irish
• Love is Lighter Than Air
• Make It Easy on Yourself
• Maryland Electric Rainstorm
• Motorway to Damascus
• My Lovely Horse
• Overstrand
• Postcard to Rosie
• Radioactivity
• The Dead Only Quickly
• The Heart of Rock & Roll
• There is a Light That Never Goes Out
• Too Young to Die
• Untitled Melody
• Vapour Trail
• With Whom to Dance