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20 CLASSIC SONGS your friends will love

Beatles - Petty - Johnny Cash - Eagles - John Denver - Dylan

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    Bird on the Wire in G, Capo 5

    by Leonard Cohen

    performed by Willie Nelson


    Intro:  G x4

     

               G                D               G                           C

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

                 G               D              G  Gsus4 

    I have tried in my way to be free

            G         D             G                                                         C

    Like a worm on a hook, like a knight from some old-fashioned book

            G                     D                G (x2) (walkup)

    I have saved all my ribbons for thee

     

    C (x2)                           G (x2)

      If I, if I have been unkind

    Am (x2)                                        G (x2)       

      I hope that you can just let it go by

    C (x2)                             G (x2)

      If I, if I have been untrue,

    Am (x2)                                           D (x2)

      I hope you know it was never to you.

     

               G           D               G                   C

    Like a baby stillborn, like a beast with his horn

               G            D                                    G (x2)

    I have torn everyone who reached out for me.

                G                 D               G                             C

    But I swear by this song and by all that I have done wrong

              G         D              Gsus4  G (walkup)

    I will make it all up to thee.

     

    C (x2)                                                       G (x2)

      I saw a beggar leaning on his wooden crutch

    Am (x2)                                                       G (x2)           

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

    C (x2)                                                               G (x2)

      And a pretty woman leaning in her darkened door,

    Am (x2)                                                     D (x2)

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

     

              G                D                G                             C

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

                G               D             C      G

    I have tried in my way to be free

     

    Instrumental Verse


    This file is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of this song. It's intended solely for private study, scholarship or research.