• Why-ever would the cage-d bird sing
    When he is torn from his home,
    And has lost his wing,
    With which he might escape?

    Why-ever would the cage-d bird sing,
    When he is trapped,
    And a Human is his King,
    Instead of the nurturing Sky?

    Why-ever would the cage-d bird’s wing,
    When he is lost,
    Stop thrashing and instead still as he would sing
    Abandoning the door, the escape?

    Why-ever would the cage-d bird’s wing,
    Bruised and sore,
    Stop beating, for he has already lost his will to sing
    And leave alone the door?

    Why-ever would the cage-d bird’s songs,
    Seeming cheerful,
    Ever take note of the humans’ wrongs,
    Even though they kill him?

    Why-ever would the cage-d bird’s songs,
    Hopeless, forlorn
    Ever show that for which he longs,
    While shelter, food, and water are his?

    Why-ever would the cage-d bird stop,
    Singing endlessly,
    Telling of happier times ‘till he may drop,
    Tortured by calling his fellows, ‘till he sleeps the endless sleep?

    Why-ever would the cage-d bird stop,
    Beating his wings, singing his songs,
    Earning his unwanted keep, this life that seems a wild hop
    From freedom to torture, forever torn from his place in the sky-

    Why-ever would the cage-d bird sing,
    With all the cheeriness,
    The heartiness, of a wealthy King
    When all he has is misery?