Oh, whippoorwill
You speak your name so plain
It's a wonder anyone ever took notice at all

And never do you put on airs
So vain, no
It's just what comes out
When you open your mouth

You open your mouth
And your name came out
You open your mouth
And your name came out

Take me back
To the place of your first emanation:
The fabric of the thicket is torn by birdsong
Venus and the sliver moon sing along, sing along
It's where you be, it's where you belong
It's where you be, it's where you belong

Oh, you sang just as well
Before you were called anything at all
Before any man saw what was plain
Gave it a name, and called it his own...
Before you lost your home

At the end of the road
A man with a pen is waiting
See how your voice is fading as
Fading as he names you?
Your voice is fading as he names you

Oh, you sang just as well
Before you were called anything at all
Before any man saw what was plain
Gave it a name, and called it his own...
Before you lost your home

Before you lost, before you lost your home
Before you lost, before you lost your home
Before you lost, before you lost your home
Your voice is fading as he names you
Your voice is fading as he names you
It's where you be, it's where you belong