Don't kill the birds!--the little birds,
That sing about your door,
Soon as the joyous spring has come,
And chilling storms are o'er.
The little birds!--how sweet they sing!
Oh! let them joyous live;
And do not seek to take the life
Which you can never give.
Don't kill the birds!--the pretty birds,
That play among the trees!
'Twould make the earth a cheerless place,
Should we dispense with these.
Don't kill the birds!--the happy birds,
That bless the field and grove;
So innocent to look upon,--
They claim our warmest love.