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
And if I
If I've been unkind
I hope that you
Can just let it go by
If I
If I've 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?"

Like a bird
On the wire
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried
In my way
To be free

Copyright: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Writer(s): Leonard Cohen