[Verse 1]
Seen a red bird утром?
No, I seen a warning
On the fence by the tin roof
Like a match in the morning
He sat in the cold wire
Like he knew my name
Little coat of fire
Outlasting the rain
[Pre-Chorus]
Tell me what you carry
When your wings go thin
Tell me how you rise up
Every time again
[Chorus]
Cardinal, cardinal
Burn in the bare tree
Cardinal, cardinal
Show that flame to me
When the world gets heavy
You still lean and sing
Cardinal, cardinal
Red on suffering
[Verse 2]
My heart been a dry creek
My hands full of dust
But you wear that bright dare
Like you never lost trust
On the split rail morning
On the black branch edge
You preach from the high place
On the ragged hedge
[Pre-Chorus]
Tell me what you carry
When the frost moves in
Tell me how you rise up
Every time again
[Chorus]
Cardinal, cardinal
Burn in the bare tree
Cardinal, cardinal
Show that flame to me
When the world gets heavy
You still lean and sing
Cardinal, cardinal
Red on suffering
[Bridge]
Maybe hope ain't gold dust
Maybe hope is red
A tiny hard yes
By the storm-bent shed
A little blood-bright banner
On a winter line
Saying keep on breathing
You are still alive
[Chorus]
Cardinal, cardinal
Burn in the bare tree
Cardinal, cardinal
Show that flame to me
When the world gets heavy
You still lean and sing
Cardinal, cardinal
Red on suffering