What does it feel like?
O, canary in a coal mine
They call you fickle names
And run away when you die
What does it feel like
To be called a doom sign?
When the smokes are too high
You have a warning to relay
Canary in a coal mine
Do you laugh at their fates?
Those who laugh as they catch you
Do you pray for their deaths?
You did not choose the cage
O, canary in a coal mine
But do you pity the miners
When your singing ends?
Do you want them to live
Despite your sealed tragedy?
How does losing your voice feel
Afflicted by the cursed malady?
Canary in a coal mine
Do you dream of freedom too?
Do you look around in black
Hopeless for the sky blue?
O, canary in a coal mine
Do you ever forgive them?
Those who put you inside
Do you preserve remembrance?
Do you beg the stars
As they carry you inside
In heavy hot suffocating caves
For the privilege of life?
Do you sing through your tears?
O, canary in a coal mine
Because life is work
And work is your death, no?
Do you count seconds?
Do you fumble with time
As days melt into nights
And nights don’t see demise?
Canary in a coal mine
Do you convince yourself somehow
That you love where you are
And should live in the now?
Do you shut in the pain
And sing loud enough to drown
The voice of reason inside
And dreams you grew around?
O, canary in a coal mine
To ask you these questions
Am I the real sinner?
Forgive me for my rudeness
But, what does it feel like?
O, canary in a coal mine
Tell me so I can know —
Why do I still survive?
~ Aru Shan
Aru Shan 