Nelson, Willie – Bird on the Wire

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Bird on a Wire by Leonard Cohen, as performed by Willie Nelson


Chord Guide

        123

A:    x02220

       231

E:    022100

         132

D:    xx0232

          123

Asus4:  x02230

       13421

Bm:   x24432

 

Intro:  A (4)

 

           A                E                 A                           D

Like a bird on a wire, like a drunk in a midnight choir

             A               E              A    Asus4 

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 (2) (walkup)

I have saved all my ribbons for thee

 

D (2)                         A (2)

  If I, if I have been unkind

Bm (2)                                      A (2)  

  I hope that you can just let it go by

D (2)                          A (2)

  If I, if I have been untrue,

Bm (2)                                       E (2)

  I hope you know it was never to you.

 

           A           E               A                   D

Like a baby stillborn, like a beast with his horn

           A            E                                    A (2)

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              Asus4  A (walkup)

I will make it all up to thee.

 

D (2)                                                   A (2)

  I saw a beggar leaning on his wooden crutch

Bm (2)                                                      A (2)     

    He said to me, "You must not ask for so much."

D (2)                                                          A (2)

  And a pretty woman leaning in her darkened door,

Bm (2)                                                   E (2)

   She cried to me, "Hey, why not ask for more?"

 

        A           E             A                   D

Like a bird on a wire, like a drunk in a midnight choir

         A          E                     A (2)

I have tried in my way to be free

 

Instrumental Verse