[Chorus]
And it's up like a bird, it's over the city,
"Three men are missing", I heard a warder cry,
"Must have been a bird that flew into the prison,
Or one of these new ministers", says the warder in the Joy.

[Verse]
Early one morning as the branchmen they were sleeping,
A little helicopter flew across the sky,
And down into the yard where some prisoners they were walking,
"Get ready for inspection" says the warder in the Joy.

[Chorus]
And it's up like a bird, it's over the city,
"Three men are missing", I heard a warder cry,
"Must have been a bird that flew into the prison,
Or one of these new ministers", says the warder in the Joy.

[Verse]
Down in the yard through the pushing and the shoving,
Three of the prisoners they climbed upon the bird,
And up and away they went into the grey skies,
"I think that someone escaping", says the warder in the Joy.

[Chorus]
And it's up like a bird, it's over the city,
"Three men are missing", I heard a warder cry,
"Must have been a bird that flew into the prison,
Or one of these new ministers", says the warder in the Joy.

[Verse]
Over in the Dáil, they were drinking gin and brandy,
Minister for justice was soaking up the sun,
When along came the news that some prisoners were escaping,
"I think it's three of the Provos", says the warder in the Joy.

[Chorus]
And it's up like a bird, it's over the city,
"Three men are missing", I heard a warder cry,
"Must have been a bird that flew into the prison,
Or one of these new ministers", says the warder in the Joy.

[Verse]
We'll search every hole, search every nook and cranny,
Let no man rest until these men are found,
For this cannot happen to a law and order government,
"I think you'll never find them", says the warder in the Joy.

[Chorus]
And it's up like a bird, it's over the city,
"Three men are missing", I heard a warder cry,
"Must have been a bird that flew into the prison,
Or one of these new ministers", says the warder in the Joy.

[Chorus]
And it's up like a bird, it's over the city,
"Three men are missing", I heard a warder cry,
"Must have been a bird that flew into the prison,
Or one of these new ministers", says the warder in the Joy.