And the faint perfume from its chalice steals—
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know why the caged bird beats his wing Till its blood is red on the cruel bars; For he must fly back to his perch and clingWhen he fain would be on the bough a-swing;And a pain still throbs in the old, old scarsAnd they pulse again with a keener sting— I know why he beats his wing! I know why the caged bird sings, ah me, When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore,—When he beats his bars and he would be free; It is not a carol of joy or glee, But a prayer that he sends from his heart’s deep core,But a plea, that upward to Heaven he flings— I know why the caged bird sings! THE DEBT’? Tuis is the debt I payJust for one riotous day,Years of regret and grief,Sorrow without relief.
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