From the recording Siren Songs
The most famous inventor of the Ancient World, Daedalus, and his son Icarus were unjustly imprisoned by Minos, the King of Crete. In order to escape, Daedalus fabricated wax wings to imitate the flight of birds, with which he and Icarus flew away, never to return again...
Inspired by a John Bliven Morin poem
Lyrics
Daedalus watched the birds on high
and wished that he could also fly
but he did more than wish, bright man
he studied wings and made a plan
With Icarus, his son and heir
gathered feathers everywhere
a thousand feathers for each wing
attached with wax and sap and string
Throughout the city could be heard
“Daedalus thinks that he’s a bird”
“Come see the fool who with his son
believes that he can fly like one!”
As they passed among the jeers
were also words of praise and cheers
“If Daedalus can learn to fly
Great Zeus, then maybe so can I!”
And thus they two led the host up the highest mountain
strapped with wings to the edge, then off they leapt
as Daedalus and Icarus flew
upward soared; out of sight and away from Crete
The king called, for all the palace scribes;
“Write about Daedalus and Icarus
say that they flew close to the sun
the feathers burnt and where undone
man cannot fly it is absurd!”