Bird On The Wire

Album: Songs From A Room (1969)
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  • 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: 8

  • 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.
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