The free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips her wings
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.
But a bird that stalks
down her narrow cage
can seldom see through
her bars of rage
her wings are clipped and
her feet are tied
so she opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings
with fearful trill
of the things unknown
but longed for still
and her tune is heard
on the distant hill for the caged bird
sings of freedom
The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and her names the sky her own.
But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
her shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
her wings are clipped and her feet are tied
so she opens his throat to sing
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and her tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.