Bird in a Cage: 48" by 30" Acrylic on canvas. C 2007
Replica is 16" by 12"
Bird in a Cage is a song from the True Lover’s Farewell family of songs. Similar lyrics are also found in the Down in the Valley/Birmingham Jail very popular songs recorded in the 1920s and 1930s. This song is based loosely on a Kentucky version sung by Jean Ritchie sung in 4/4 time. The Bird in the Cage lyrics are drawn over the mountainside background.
The Bird in the Cage is symbolic of a woman trapped in a relationship from which she can’t escape. With a background set in the Blue Ridge Mountains the bird drops the key to the jail door that could free the transparent woman whose face and hands are locked behind jail bars.
BIRD IN A CAGE (lyrics)
I'm a bird in a cage, love,
Bird in a cage.
Begging for freedom,
Dying a slave, Dying a slave.
High on the mountain,
Valley so low;
All you can feel, dear,
Is the cold rain and snow; Is the cold rain and snow.
Turn your back on me,
Court whom you please;
I can't forget you,
Darlin', I can't get free; I can't get free.
Build up your walls, Love,
Build them so high.
Only let me see you,
Darlin', as you pass by; As you pass by.
I'm a bird in a cage, love,
Bird in a cage.
Begging for freedom,
Dying a slave; Dying a slave.