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

[Verse]
Well, early one morning as the branchmen were sleeping,
A little helicopter flew across the sky,
Down into the yard where some prisoners were walking,
"Get ready for inspection", said the warder in the Joy.

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

[Verse]
And over in the Dáil, they were drinking gin and brandy,
The minister for justice was soaking up the sun,
When along came the news, some prisoners had escaped him,
"I think it's three of the Provos", said the warder in the Joy.

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

[Verse]
Well 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", said the warder in the Joy.

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

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