What I meant was the stereotypical "Tin Pan Alley" sound - a bad, tinny, very percussive piano. The typical songs associated with that era (which lasted well on into the 20th c., arguably to WWII) are bouncy - even von Tilzer's ("Wait til the Sun Shines, Nellie", "I Want a Girl Just Like the Girl Who Married Dear Old Dad," "I Love My Wife, But Oh You Kid.") "The Bird" is an exception - more of a legato, ballad style.
I'll get back to you after I ruminate on those lines for awhile -- I have a deadline at work this week and a dog to prepare for an agility trial . . . what I really need is about 48 hours per day and maybe I can get everything done . . .
VERSE 1: Theresa Marie was a beautiful girl. with a smile that could light up the room. But now the plans of three evil men are rushing her towards her doom. Her cruel faithless husband now wants her dead-- Wants to marry another wife. Why can't he just see, Terri ought to be free. She and he could get on with life. CHORUS: She's kept like a bird in a barren cage. 'Cos her husband keeps it bare. No pictures, no music, no pets, no TV. Her life is so lonely there. But Terri is loved by her family and by thousands from coast to coast. Though her life has been sold for corrupt men's gold she refuses to give up the ghost. VERSE 2: The more one looks into this sordid case, The clearer the evil plot. They're not trying to starve her because she's dying, but rather because she's not. In this quest Michael Schiavo, George Felos, and Judge Greer Are fighting with all their might Not because Terri won't speak up, But rather because she might. REPEAT CHORUS VERSE 3: So what shall become of Michael's bird? Will he starve her as he intends? Or will she be rescued by those far and wide, who'd be honored to be called her friends? The future right now, is hard to see. Though a showdown is coming nigh. Will the forces of life trump the judge who says: "The law of the case is that she must die"? REPEAT CHORUSThe MIDI file has been updated as well, including an 8-bar intro.
I think transposing down a minor third and having the melody sung rather than 'plinked' out on a piano helps a lot. Have you heard the recorded version yet?