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