John Gorka Paradise, Once Lyrics

These birds don't sing in the rain
They're waiting for the sun to shine
But I'm a man and a man-made thing
And I can sing out anytime

I can sing in the trees
I'll sing before the rivers rise
Maybe make you believe
That we were part of paradise
And could be part of paradise
'Cause we were part of paradise, once

I don't have any wings
But there are nights when I can fly
And I'll give you all my rings
Like I'm the oldest tree alive

But I can't stand like a tree And you can cut me down to size
Even make me believe
That we were part of paradise
And could be part of paradise
'Cause we were part of paradise, once

Nothing ever gets lost
Just the pieces move around
I can't figure out the cost
I know that it will even out

Without feather or branch
Love brings you closer to the skies
It can give you back the chance
To be where it was paradise
To see a part of paradise
To be a part of paradise, once