A free bird leaps 

 

on the back of the wind   

 

and floats downstream   

 

till the current ends 

 

and dips his wing 

 

in the orange sun rays 

 

and dares to claim the sky. 

 

But a bird that stalks 

 

down his narrow cage 

 

can seldom see through 

 

his bars of rage 

 

his wings are clipped and   

 

his feet are tied 

 

so he opens his throat to sing. 

 

The caged bird sings   

 

with a fearful trill   

 

of things unknown   

 

but longed for still   

 

and his 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 he names the sky his own 

 

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams   

 

his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream   

 

his wings are clipped and his feet are tied   

 

so he opens his throat to sing. 

 

The caged bird sings   

 

with a fearful trill   

 

of things unknown   

 

but longed for still   

 

and his tune is heard   

 

on the distant hill   

 

for the caged bird   

 

sings of freedom.