Oh high above the trees and the reeds like rainbows
they landed soft as moonglow
in greens and reds they fluttered past the windows
ah but nobody cared or saw

til the hungry came in crowds
with their guns and dozers
and soon the peace was over
God what were they thinking of?

   Oh on and on til dreams come true
   you know a piece of us all goes with you

Oh the birds went down
they fell and they faded to the dozens
Til in a Cincinnati Zoo was the last one

Yes all that remained was the last
with a name of Martha
Very proud, very sad, but very wise

Oh as the lines filed by there were few who cared
or could be bothered
how could anyone have treated you harder
and it was all for a dollar or more

   Oh on and on til dreams come true
   you know a piece of us all goes with you

Oh and surrounded there by some of whom wept around her
in a corner of the cage they found her
she went as soft as she came so shy til the last song
oh the passenger pigeon was gone...