To Althea From Prison Lyrics
When love, with unconfined wings, hovers within my gates
And my divine Althead brings to whisper at my grates
When I lie tangled in her hair and fettered to her eye
The birds that wanton in the air know no such liberty
When flowing cups run swiftly round with no allaying Thames
Our careless heads with roses bound, our hearts with loyal flames
When thirsty grief in wine we steep when healths and draughts run free
Fishes that tipple in the deep know no such liberty
When (like committed linnets) I
With shriller throat shall sing
The sweetness, mercy, majesty
And glories of my King
When I shall voice aloud how good
He is how great should be
Enlarged winds that curl the flood
Know no such liberty
Stone walls do not a prison make nor iron bars a cage
Minds innocent and quiet take that for an hermitage
If I have freedom in my love and in my soul am free
Angels alone that soar above enjoy such liberty
Fairport Convention To Althea From Prison
