The free bird leaps
        on the back of the wind
    and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wings
   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 fearful trill
                of the 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
an 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.