Verse 1:
        A           E             A                   D
Like a bird on the wire, like a drunk in a midnight choir
         A          E           A   Asus4  A
I have tried in my way to be free
        A         E             A                             D
Like a worm on a hook, like a knight from some old-fashioned book
        A            E            A   Asus4  A
I have saved all my ribbons for thee
       D                         A
         If I, if I have been unkind
       Bm                                    A
         I hope that you can just let it go by
       D                          A
         If I, if I have been untrue,
       Bm                                 E   Esus4  E
         I hope you know it was never to you.

Verse 2:
        A          E            A              D
Like a baby stillborn, like a beast with his horn
         A        E                      A   Asus4  A
I have torn everyone who reached out for me.
        A            E           A                      D
But I swear by this song and by all that I have done wrong
A               E          A   Asus4  A
 I will make it all up to thee.
       D                                       A
         I saw a beggar leaning on his wooden crutch
       Bm                                     A
         He said to me, "You must not ask for so much."
       D                                             A
         And a pretty woman leaning in her darkened door,
       Bm                                      E   Esus4  E
         She cried to me, "Hey, why not ask for more?"

Outro:
        A           E             A                   D
Like a bird on the wire, like a drunk in a midnight choir
         A          E          D A
I have tried in my way to be free
 This arrangement is its contributor’s own interpretation, shared for private study, education and non-commercial use. The underlying song, lyrics and music remain the property of their copyright owners. To request removal, see Legal & Copyright.