Songfacts®:

• This single was Seals & Crofts most unlikely hit. The lyrics, complemented by a chant-like chorus, quote from scriptures of the Baha'i faith, which was founded in the mid-1800's by a Persian nobleman who left his life behind in search of truth. The faith was long little-known outside of the mountainous areas of Iran and Turkey, but has since drawn much interest and is one of the fastest-growing religions in the world. The song itself was a major hit, reaching #20 on the Billboard Hot 100, and is a favorite among fans. >>

  Suggestion credit:
  Mike - Santa Barbara, CA
• According to Jim Seals, this is about the lifelong persecution Baha'i founder Baha u'llah endured because of his beliefs. The refrain "Hummingbird, don't fly away" is a plea for forgiveness.
  
  In the 1991 interview, Seals explained the song relates to "how each one of the world's teachers when they come are misunderstood, and the first thing we do is strike out at them, behead them, hang them on a cross or whatever. Here mankind waits thousands of years for the coming of someone to help the unity of mankind, and then when he comes, they throw him in jail for 40 years and torture him. I was more or less trying to speak for the human race - presumptuous, I know - saying we were sorry."
• This was used in the 2014 Australian film Tracks, starring Mia Wasikowska.