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Pretty Little Bird 
Pretty Little Bird 
If I was a pretty little bird, I would never build my nest on the ground; I would build my nest in the highest oak tree* Where the wild boys couldn't tear it down. 
cho: Take me home, boys, tonight, take me home Take me home, boys, tonight, take me home Take me home, boys, tonight, for my head is gettin' light Take me home, boys, tonight, take me home 
If I was a little honey-bee All out through the fields I would roam; I would steal one kiss from my true-love's lips To sweeten the honey in the comb. 
If I was a pretty little star A-smiling down on the world, I would shine my light on my true-love bright And play on her beautiful curls. 
I'm as free a little bird as I can be I'm as free a little bird as I can be Sittin' on the roadside, mournin' all my days For nobody cares for me. 
*or, I would build my nest in my true love's breast alternative chorus:
 Take me home, little bird, take me home. Take me home, little bird, take me home. Take me home to my mother, she is sweeter than the other Take me home, little bird, take me home. 
From Folk Songs of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Shellans Collected from Ruby Vass, 1959 
Note: There may be an Appalachian banjo picker that doesn't sing this one, but I've never met him. RG 
Recorded by Cousin Emmy