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