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


Lyrics submitted by rgirl, edited by clearsky, kalluk

Bird on the Wire Lyrics as written by Leonard Cohen

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Bird on the Wire song meanings
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22 Comments

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  • -1
    General Comment

    and not so much noble as humble. knights in old-fashioned books considered themselves servants to their ladies.

    misterbojangleson February 16, 2006   Link

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