(Intro: smooth jazzy sax) [Verse 1] They queued up in the morning, With their papers in their hands, “Everybody's doing it, You really ought to understand.” Mum said, “It's for your future,” Dad said, “It's what we do,” And somewhere in the hurry Nobody asked the children too. [Pre-Chorus] Everybody wanted certainty, Everybody wanted proof, But when the questions started coming There was nowhere left to look. [Chorus] Canary in the crowd, Canary in the crowd, Everybody singing loudly Till the music wasn't loud. Canary in the crowd, Hear that little warning sound? You can follow everybody Till you finally look around. [Verse 2] There were videos appearing, People frightened by what came, Some were angry, some regretting How they'd hurried to comply. “I wish I'd waited longer,” “I wish I'd asked some more,” But hindsight isn't medicine And yesterday won't rewind the door. [Bridge] Don't tell me I'm a villain For refusing to agree. Don't tell me you're a hero For obeying dutifully. Fear can make us hurry. Hope can make us blind. And sometimes the bravest question Is simply: “Have we got this right?” [Chorus] Canary in the crowd, Canary in the crowd, Everybody shouting “Safe!” Till the shouting isn't loud. Canary in the crowd, Hear that little warning sound? Maybe wisdom isn't knowing— Maybe wisdom means slowing down. [Outro] The canary doesn't lecture. The canary doesn't fight. It simply tells the miners When something isn't right. And if you hear that warning, Don't bury it in noise. Listen before you choose. Listen before you choose. (Outro)
