Lyrics
Chorus
This is where I wanna be
Right inside Your house
This is where I wanna be
Right inside Your house
Verse 1
If I was a bird
I would make my nest
In the rafters of Your sanctuary
I, I don't ever wanna fly away
No I, I don't ever wanna fly away
I know where I belong
Right here by Your side
I know where I belong
Right here by Your side
Verse 2
To open fields and peaceful streams
I know that You are leading me
And I, I don't ever wanna run away
No I, I don't ever wanna run away
No I, I don't ever wanna run away
No I, I don't ever wanna run away
Bridge
Cause happy are those who dwell in the house of God
Can I get an amen
Happy are those who dwell in the house of God
Can we say it again
Happy are those who dwell in the house of God
Can I get an amen
Happy are those who dwell in the house of God
Can we say it again
Happy are those who dwell in the house of God
Can I get an amen
Happy are those who dwell in the house of God
Can we say it again
Happy are those who dwell in the house of God
Can I get an amen
Happy are those who dwell in the house of God
Happy are those who dwell in the house of God
Happy are those who dwell in the house of God
Chorus
This is where I wanna be
Right inside Your house
This is where I wanna be
Right inside Your house
Verse 3
If I was a bird
I would make my nest
In the rafters of Your sanctuary
I, I don't ever wanna fly away
No I, I don't ever wanna fly away
No I, I don't ever wanna fly away
No I, I don't ever wanna fly away
Bridge
Happy are those who dwell in the house of God
Can I get an amen
Happy are those who dwell in the house of God
Can we say it again
Happy are those who dwell in the house of God
Can I get an amen
Happy are those who dwell in the house of God
Can we say it again
Happy are those who dwell in the house of God
Can I get an amen
Happy are those who dwell in the house of God
Can we say it again
Happy are those who dwell in the house of God
Happy are those who dwell in the house of God
Happy are those who dwell in the house of God
Happy are those who dwell in the house of God
Outro
I'd rather hold the doors
I'd rather sweep the floors
Than be anywhere else but here
Anywhere else but here
I'd rather hold the doors
I'd rather sweep the floors
Than be anywhere else but here
Anywhere else but here
I'd rather hold the doors
I'd rather sweep the floors
Than be anywhere else but here
Anywhere else but here
I'd rather hold the doors
I'd rather sweep the floors
Than be anywhere else but here
Anywhere else but here
Happy are those who dwell in the house of God
Happy are those who dwell in the house of God
Happy are those who dwell in the house of God
Happy are those who dwell in the house of God
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
"If I Was A Bird" by Mission House is a song about wanting to stay in God's presence. The picture comes straight from the Psalms: a small bird that builds a nest in the rafters of the sanctuary and has no reason to leave. The singer says, "I know where I belong," and the chorus repeats the wish to be "right inside Your house."
The second verse adds the shepherd imagery of open fields and peaceful streams, with God as the one who leads. The long bridge turns the idea into a congregational shout, with "Happy are those who dwell in the house of God" repeated and an invitation to say amen.
The closing lines carry the humility of the piece. Holding the doors and sweeping the floors are the lowest jobs in a building, yet the singer prefers them to any seat of honor elsewhere. That choice makes the song a fitting opener or closer for a gathering, and it is easy to learn because so many lines return.
Related Scripture
- Psalm 84:3-4 The sparrow finds a home and the swallow a nest near the altar; blessed are those who dwell in the house.
- Psalm 84:10 "I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God" matches "I'd rather hold the doors".
- Psalm 23:2 Green pastures and still waters are the open fields and peaceful streams.
- Psalm 27:4 The desire to dwell in the house of the Lord is the center of the chorus.