Nicholas Carlile, 2001
I'm flying on the wings of a seabird
Spread out over new worlds
Over the ocean 'twixt land and land
But people please heed the warning
Our numbers are falling
Threats of extinction are in your hands
Hearts and hands
Hey you! That fish you are eating
Caught on the high sea
Long lining where we feed
We dive on your baits, hooks cut!
Deep in our soft bills lead weights drag us down
'Til were hauled dead onto your boats then tossed aside
For centuries our islands you plundered
Food for your sailors for settlers and sealers
And feathers for trade
Dumb struck we know not to fear you
On islands we're near you
For nesting to breed we fall easy prey
Abandon, abandon
You leave us with island wrecks
With cat, rat, goat beset
Havoc! In what was our paradise
In some isles once we were millions
Reduced to just handfuls and sometimes just gone
I'm flying on the wings of a sea bird…