Leonard Cohen Bird On a Wire song lyrics

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.

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.