Song Description

caged bird is a song about loss of innocence and control, on a personal, national, and global level.

Lyrics

Caged Bird
By beverly graham ©

"Hush little baby don't you cry mama's gonna sing you a lullaby"

Don't come in my room tonight
Don't come in I'm frightened of you
Maybe if I keep my eyes closed real tight you'll leave
Will you keep him out please God
If I promise I believe
Oh mama why don't you come here
When he comes around you don't come near
Are you afraid or maybe you just don't see

Refrain:

And I know why the caged bird sings
Why she bows her head and spreads her wings
Dreaming of freedom and flight
Life is never what it seems
It can break your heart and break your dreams
And I know why the caged bird sings

Don't pass me by on the street today
When I reach for you don't turn away
I?m hungry and I'm so damned tired
I've searched for work everywhere and I still can't get hired
It used to be a family lived in a house with flowers and trees
But here we are sleeping on the street
Going through the trash for something to eat

Refrain:

Don't come to El Salvador
We are torn apart by senseless war
In Romania the streets are filled with brutality
In Tinnimen Square the people die so their children can be free
Black Africans they live in fear
In Belfast they fight with their tears
Do they hate the color of your skin
Are you the wrong religion

Refrain:

Bridge:

I have no mouth and I need to scream
I'm trapped inside my mind it seems
I'm afraid to live but I don't want to die
And I know why the caged bird sings
Why she bows her head and folds her wings
Yes I know why she does all these things
I know why the caged bird sings

"Hush little baby don't say a word
Mama's gonna buy you a mocking bird"