Almost exactly a year after I posted this song, Flaco has tragically died after flying into a building. Though I enjoyed writing this song I did understand that he was in danger (in numerous ways) outside the safety and care of the zoo, and I’m so sorry this is how Flaco’s story has gone. I’ll have to consider updating and/or writing a new song for Flaco.

In NYC people love to talk Of the escapee perched on bough or rock In the park uptown, where the city walks Over grass, wide bridge, and stone Now, in twenty-three, as you might have heard, Vandals cut zoo mesh that restrained a bird Where he'd been thirteen captive years conserved And away that bird had flown Come, city folks, if your hearts allow Sing with me of our park's brave fowl Flaco the Eurasian Eagle-Owl Had made himself at home The owl thrilled the cops with a fine, free view On a foot chase down Fifth Avenue But there's none could net them the owl that flew In those skies so newly known He had made himself at home. And the zoo folk feared he would never hunt Without keepers who had provided lunch But he found park prey with small bones to crunch He could do it on his own. CHORUS Though they tried with bait and with hooting calls, His orange eyes hardly blinked at all Soon the zoo folk, too, found themselves in thrall To the street smarts he had shown He had made himself at home. And they said: Let the owl try his freedom, then The zoo is right here if he needs a friend. May his nighttime flights land at happy ends And his feathers thus be blown. CHORUS Birdwatchers swear there is none so fine As this bird whose wings round the Ramble wind Poisoned rats we pray he will never find May his flight paths be long flown. CHORUS

What a wonderful tribute to Flaco! Delightful song!

Very timely and lively. Thank you for sharing. Go Flaco!

R.I.P. Flaco ❤ fly high 😢 Beautiful song & wonderful tribute to such a beautiful soul

Wonderful!!

You don’t have to be from NYC to connect with this song. It reminds me of those sporadic news stories of animals in a truck on the way to the slaughterhouse that get out and are running down the berm of a highway and the public gets wind of it all and start cheering on the underdog. To me, it was successful as a Shanty because it has that fun, exciting, adventurous bounce to it all. Well done!