Caged Bird I don't know why the caged bird sings, He'll never fly or spread his wings, What a dreary #life, what a dreadful mess, To possess a thirst that can't be quenched. I don't know why the caged bird sings, His song is shrill while he sits and swings, What a dreary #life, what a dreadful mess, To possess such strength and be powerless. I don't know why the caged bird sings, Sweetly upon deaf ears of kings, The kings refuse to open the cage, No matter how well his wings behave. I don't know why the caged bird sings, A song that bites and burns and stings, The kings refuse him fresh air's taste, No matter how well he pleads his case. I don't know why the caged bird sings, I may never know such dire things, What a dreary #life, what a dreadful mess, To possess such power and be ownerless. I am a caged bird and yet I sing, I don't know why my voice still rings, I'm sick of studying sunken faces, Of silent birds sitting in their cages.