[Verse 1]

A poor orphan girl named Maria

Was walking to market one day

She stopped for to rest by the roadside

Where a bird with a broken wing lay

[Verse 2]

A few moments passed 'til she saw it

For its feathers were covered with sand

But soon, clean and wrapped, it was traveling

In the warmth of Maria's small hand

[Verse 3]

She happily gave her last peso

On a cage made of rushes and twine

She fed it loose corn from the market

And watched it grow stronger with time

[Verse 4]

Now the Christmas Eve service was coming

And the church shone with tinsel and light

And all of the town folks brought presents

To lay by the manger that night

[Verse 5]

There were diamonds and incense and perfumes

In packages fit for a king

But for one ragged bird in a small cage

Maria had nothing to bring

[Verse 6]

She waited 'til just before midnight

So no one would see her go in

And crying, she knelt by the manger

For her gift was unworthy of Him

[Verse 7]

Then a voice spoke to her through the darkness

"Maria, what brings you to me?"

"If the bird in the cage is your offering

Open the door, let me see"

[Verse 8]

Though she trembled, she did as He asked her

And out of the cage the bird flew

Soaring up into the rafters

On a wing that had healed good as new

[Verse 9]

Just then the midnight bells rang out

And the little bird started to sing

A song that no words could recapture

Whose beauty was fit for a king

[Verse 10]

Now Maria felt blessed just to listen

To that cascade of notes sweet and long

As her offering was lifted to heaven

By the very first nightingale's song