Bird On A Wire

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“Like a Bird on a Wire” (original lyrics by Leonard Cohen – 1968?)

 

Like a bird on a wire,
Like a drunk in a midnight choir,
I have tried in my way to be free.
Like a baby on a hook,
Like a knight from an old fashioned book,
I have saved every freedom for thee.
And if I, if I have been unkind,
I hope that you can just let it go on by.
And if I, if I have ever been untrue
I hope you know it was never to you.

 

I have saved every freedom for thee.

 

I saw a beggar leaning on his wooden crutch,
He said − I heard him say to me − “You must not ask for so much”,
And a pretty woman standing in her dark door,
I say – I heard her sayin’ − “Why, why not ask for more?”.

Like a drunk in a midnight choir,
I have tried, I have tried in my way to be free.

From the Album by Tim Hardin “Bird on a Wire” – 1971

(in my mind an outstanding and timeless record!)

 

 

 

 



This song has many cover versions by several artists, including Judy Collins, Joe Cocker, Johnny Cash, Rita Coolidge, Jennifer Warnes, etc., etc.

I have tried to transcribe the slightly different – and shorter −  words by Tim Hardin, as far as I can understand them.

I apologize for any possible mistake.

 

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