Album: Songs From A Room (1969)

License This Song 

• Like a bird on the wire
  Like a drunk in a midnight choir
  I have tried in my way to be free
  Like a worm on a hook
  Like a knight from some old fashioned book
  I have saved all my ribbons for thee
  
  If I, if I have been unkind
  I hope that you can just let it go by
  If I, if I have been untrue
  I hope you know it was never to you
  
  Oh, like a baby, stillborn
  Like a beast with his horn
  I have torn everyone who reached out for me
  But I swear by this song
  And by all that I have done wrong
  I will make it all up to thee
  
  I saw a beggar leaning on his wooden crutch
  He said to me, "You must not ask for so much"
  And a pretty woman leaning in her darkened door
  She cried to me, "Hey, why not ask for more?"
  
  Oh, like a bird on the wire
  Like a drunk in a midnight choir
  I have tried in my way to be free Writer/s: Leonard Cohen
  Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 10

• Tonylee from IndianapolisFor those of us with deep regrets, this mournful song states our position perfectly.
• Miles from Vancouver, CanadaA wonderful song if there ever was one, and it's easy to see why it was a target to cover. The Neville Brothers version leaves me breathless. By the way, the producer's name is Bob JOHNSTON (with the extra T), and you have it written "1973's Songs from a Room" when it's clearly 1969.
• AnonymousFantastic,very emotional like many of other Cohen's songs.
• Tony from Eugene, OrA local musician recorded this song along with some other covers and originals. We became acquainted,and got to do some open mike and retiement home playing. The song became a favorite of mine--somehow the lyrics kind of stuck in my head. As I got to know my new friend better, it became apparent to me that it's really all about being misunderstood and asking those who may have been put off by your behavior to be patient with you and not just write you off.
• Jeff from Casa Grande, AzYou know, i have always liked this song, but I never knew why. Now, I understand the lyrics. Wow.
• Matt from Kansas City, KsThe line, "Like a bird on the wire,Like a drunk in a midnight choir I have tried in my way to be free."Is to be Kris Kristoferson's epitaph.
• Betsy from Belle Vernon, PaThis song was also recorded by Esther Ofarim, he was a favorite composer of his, and she sang many of his songs. You can hear many versions of her singing this song on YouTube.
• Senorita from Canada, Canada"Bird On The Wire" is about the desires of a person to be free from being influenced by what others might say. But we can't be truly free as we are bound to claim "personal accountability" for our actions and decisions.
• Rob from Bath, United StatesONE OF THE BEST COVERS WAS RECORDED BY JENNIFER WARNES
• Rob from Bath, United StatesTHERE WAS A TV FILM ENTITLED FIRST WE TAKE MANHATTON. IT FOLLOWS LEONARD TO HYDRA AND HE EXPLAINS THE ORIGINS OF THE SONG. THE MIDNIGHT CHOIR WAS HIS LITTLE GROUP STUMBLIN BACK FROM THE BARS AND TAVERNAS LATE AT NIGHT. HE STILL OWNS THE HOUSE THERE AND I REMEMBER HIM EXPLAINING ALL THIS TO HIS BACK UP SINGER JULIE CHRISTIANSEN AS THEY LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW AT THE SINGLE ELECTRICITY WIRE.

More Songfacts:

I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)Meat Loaf

In Meat Loaf's "I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)" what he won't do is a list of six items in the lyrics, including "Forget the way you feel right now" and "Be screwing around."

SummertimeDJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince

"Summertime" by DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince is built on a sample of a Kool & The Gang instrumental from 1974 called "Summer Madness," which gets a shout in the line, "This is the Fresh Prince's new definition of summer madness."

Crazy TrainOzzy Osbourne

"Crazy Train" by Ozzy Osbourne is about the Cold War concept of Mutually Assured Destruction (M.A.D.) should any nuclear missile be fired.

Hey JudeThe Beatles

Paul McCartney wrote "Hey Jude" to comfort John Lennon's 5-year-old son Julian, whose parents were getting a divorce.

Rockin' In The Free WorldNeil Young

"Rockin' In The Free World" is a very pro-America title, but the song takes on politicians who are indifferent to the poor and disenfranchised.

Call Me MaybeCarly Rae Jepsen

"Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen was the song of the summer in 2012 and a major meme. It got some help from her fellow Canadian Justin Bieber, who tweeted that it was "possibly the catchiest song I've ever heard."

Editor's Picks

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went MainstreamSong Writing

These overtly religious songs crossed over to the pop charts, despite resistance from fans, and in many cases, churches.

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of WayneSongwriter Interviews

The guy who brought us "Stacy's Mom" also wrote the Jane Lynch Emmy song and Stephen Colbert's Christmas songs.

Al Jourgensen of MinistrySongwriter Interviews

In the name of song explanation, Al talks about scoring heroin for William Burroughs, and that's not even the most shocking story in this one.

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And HellSongwriter Interviews

Guitarist Tony Iommi on the "Iron Man" riff, the definitive Black Sabbath song, and how Ozzy and Dio compared as songwriters.