Five thousand light years from Birdland
but I'm still preachin' the rhythm.
Long gone uptight years from Birdland
and I'm still teachin' it with them.
Years from the land of the Bird
and I'm still feelin' the spirit.
Five thousand light years from Birdland
but I know people can hear it.
Bird named it, Bird made it,
Bird heard it, then played it, well-stated
Birdland - it happened down in Birdland.
In the middle of that hub
I remember one jazz club,
where we went to pat feet,
down on Fifty Secon' Street.
Ev'rybody heard that word
that they named it after Bird,
where the rhythm swooped and swirled,
the jazz corner of the world.
Add the cats they gigged in there
were beyond compare.
Birdland - I'm singin' Birdland!
Birdland - ol' swingin' Birdland!
Down them stairs lose them cares - where?
Down in Birdland!
Total swing, bob was king - there
Down in Birdland!
Bird would cook, Max would look - where?
Down in Birdland!
Miles came through, 'Trance came too - there
Down in Birdland!
Basie blew, Blakie too - where?
Down in Birdland!
Cannon Ball played that hall - there
Down in Birdland!
Yeah!