Birdman
McDonald and Giles Lyrics

Long ago in Walthamstow
Many years ago in the town of Walthamstow

A man he dreamed a singular scheme
One man dreamed a unique plan

Had no wish to join the fish
He did not want to swim like a fish

But he'd sigh 'I'd love to fly'
He often expressed his desire to be able to fly

Sat in bed and scratched his head
He would sit in bed and think deeply

So absurd to fly like a bird
The idea of flying like a bird seemed ridiculous

Time blew past until at last
Time passed quickly until one day

Late one night he saw the light
He had a breakthrough one late night

Careful hands drew up the plans
He meticulously crafted the blueprints

Shapes and things like curious wings
He designed unique shapes that looked like wings

Hieroglyphics most prolific
His plans were filled with many complex symbols and drawings

Numbered charts with all of the parts
He created charts that labeled every single part required for the invention

Now the work starts
The real work began

Toiled for days on struts and stays
He labored for many days on the various parts such as struts and stays

Umpteen screws and numerous glues
He used countless screws and multiple types of glue

Harness leathers and rainbow feathers
He obtained both leather and feathers to construct the invention

Hinges and joints at relevant points
He carefully placed hinges and joined parts where they were most necessary

'Til in the golden dawnbeam sun
In the beautiful golden sunrise

He saw that all the work was done
He realized that he had completed all of the work

With face aglow ran up the road
With a luminous expression, he sprinted up the street

To Wishbone Hill, then pausing still
He stopped on Wishbone Hill to take a moment of rest

Cast his eyes on distant skies
He gazed towards the distant skies

And slowly moved his arms
He gradually began to move his arms

Slowly up, then slowly down
He slowly raised his arms up and lowered them down

Faster up, then faster down
He began to speed up the motion of raising and lowering his arms

'Til at last with a swishing sound
Before long, a swishing noise was heard

He very gently left the ground
He lifted slowly off the ground

('Til at last with a swishing sound
Again, the swishing sound was heard

He very gently left the ground)
His ascent was incredibly delicate

Weary from his journey
After his flight, he was exhausted

Birdman circled homewards
He made his way back to his home by flying in circles

Gliding through the sunset
As he approached the sunset, he glided peacefully

He very gently floated down
His descent was just as gentle as his ascent