The Wailing of the Oriole Bird

The Wailing of the Oriole Bird

Peter T. Atkinson

Have you heard, have you heard,

The wailing of the Oriole bird?

As the flood of tears do pour,

Quoth the Raven, nevermore.

They just don't know why we have to fight

Since purple and orange join black and white

In perfect symmetrical harmony

In crowds of thousands in fall and spring.

Have you heard, have you heard,

The wailing of the Oriole bird?

Violence will never settle the score,

Quoth the Raven, nevermore.

Instead of assigning shame and blame,

They offer up their simple game

In prayer that we all again will choose

And see just how much we stand to lose.

Have you heard, have you heard,

The wailing of the Oriole bird?

Expecting more from Baltimore

Quoth the Raven, nevermore.