I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (song)

A young man took his own life last week. I did not know him well, I just sang in a choir with him. I can only hope that choir was a source of peace for him like it is to me. I wont pretend to understand what he went through, but no one deserves to feel so alone at that age. This poem made me think of him so I put it to a tune. This is for Kai. RIP.
("I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" is a poem by Maya Angelou, I simply added a melody)
Lyrics:
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 is 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.
~Maya Angelou

[@tipitopstips3852]

Amazing song thank you because in this poem's tune I get so thank you very much

[@tipitopstips3852]

Pls like I want 200 like

[@jinnie4961]

Beautiful ....

[@abittadissandat]

beautiful!

[@eli-ezel]

Thank you so much for this video...I had to memorize a poem to recite to my class and this helped me out a LOT!!! I listened to your wonderful voice every night until I memorized it. Thank you so much

[@morganhickey8287]

Eli Diaz yo same i have to memorize it

[@eli-ezel]

Oh damn I forgot about this cuz I did it when I was in high school a long time ago!

[@fleece_mcbottomtop]

This is from so long ago but that's what I'm doing too😂

[@heartofvoice9999]

SAMEEE

[@maya9535]

Im a little late but same her voice is so amazing I have to say it to my class

[@lushiberenger]

This is beautiful. I listen it every time. Your voice is a gift of God. Praise him with your voice. I am from Sri Lanka. Thank you uploading this. ✌😊

[@nipunnimsara7050]

I also do. I am also from Sri Lanka

[@cibelemarah]

One of the most beautiful things I've heard recently! Thank you!

[@mandydandy1170]

I had to memorize this poem for a grade.. thank you so much this helped me so much.

[@The_newguyt]

Really sister ?

[@nardinesandersonauthorpoet4249]

Beautiful ❤️

[@AlexB-lr2qp]

For some reason I can relate to the caged bird.

[@arturodamian2663]

i love this song

[@TheAnimePrincessRose]

I can't describe just how beautiful and sad this was. It literally brought tears to my eyes.

[@volatileHearts]

Wow, this gave me chills!

[@kacefaceuniverse8580]

This was really beautiful

[@dotdotdotdot6560]

So beautiful

[@mandyto9052]

Powerful

[@aliceandgabriel]

2021🕊🕊

[@jeepinjoel]

I simply LOVE the way you perform this song....

[@orlandoluispardolazo]

lovely

[@jrkraju1808]

Beautiful

[@chewygooey4855]

this song has more meaning that it seems. this makes me cry. I hate slavery

[@alaskanstorm4591]

I know why the caged bird sings is a poem from a book of the same name about the racism and trauma she suffered through in her life, not slavery, it was written in 1969

[@aliceandgabriel]

Beautiful 🦋

[@snowyasmrrp]

Keep it up...goin good

[@BoomBapAnime]

Great poem!

[@alaskanstorm4591]

That poem was written by Maya Angelou, not her!!

[@crazycatches1140]

learning this for a grade, i def procrastinated and the thing is due in 2 days so i’m probably screwed but this is fs helping

[@AR-fk2gl]

This is simply stunning! I would love to know the chords for this.

[@oceanoraon176]

0:11 staring stanza 0:28 second 0:48 third 1:10 fourth 1:28 fifth 1:47 last

[@RebeccaMontalbano]

Is there any way I can get a version of this that I can download? A few of my students want to dance to it! They LOVE your voice!

[@insideout8357]

Nice

[@nathmull1997]

amzing poem converted to a song to be percise

[@libbyhultman5004]

please, for the love of god....post some chords or tabs. please

[@amazonsurfergirl]

Hi! Is your name Elly? We love this. My daughter found your lovely melody for this amazing poem and will be choreographing a dance to it. I tried looking up more of your music on you tube but there is an artist named Elly (no last name) and I'm looking for more of you and your work. Last name? Keep up the amazing work.

[@EllyOltersdorf]

Elly Oltersdorf :) And thank you for your kind words

[@irinakovach9624]

Do you know why the Caged Bird sings?

[@nathmull1997]

can i have the chords by the way this is amazing song i need it for my exams and i am sorry to hear about your friend

[@iwayaa]

Ótima adaptação!@_@

[@tipitopstips3852]

What

[@tipitopstips3852]

Say in English

[@frankiemorris1325]

What are the chords?

[@mactekvic7521]

Nathan, play it in a key you can sing it. Just like this... Thank you Lyle1324

[@echogaybaldfith7466]

Beautiful...