There's a big black bird, high up in the pines
She’s been watching me every night
Been watching every time
She’s seen my creeping, my secret keeping

While you've been sound asleep
And she's the only one that knows
What I’ve been doing
Or I'd be six feet deep

I walk on down to the river
I wait upon the bank
I fancy nothing but my secret loving
And how your heart would break

But then he pulls me near
I know just why I'm here
Forbidden love is but a dream
But in the dark I see
I see big eyes of green
She just won't let me be

Everywhere I go, I see her following me
Raps at my window, waits at the gate
I see her in my dreams

Just the other night
While my mainline was out
Me and my lover, for just one hour
We made the lights go out
I know I've been so wrong
But wrong it feels so right

And like a drunk I'll drink my fill
Give me that reckless love
Our old-time careless love
A lying heart is such a thrill

I hear the sound of wings!
Her darkness falls upon me
Into her depths I’ll sink
To guilt and misery
And like a bird I'll sing