Like a bird on a 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 in an old fashioned book
I have saved all my ribbons for thee
And if I have been unkind
I hope you will let it go by
And if I, I have been untrue
Well, I hope you know, it was not to you
Like a babe stillborn, like a beast with his horn
I have torn everyone who reached out to me
But I swear, by this song and by all that I have done wrong
That I will make it, make it all up to you
I saw a man leaning on his crutch
And he said to me, why do you ask for so much?
But I saw a woman, she was leaning in a door
And she cried out to me, why not ask for more
Like a bird on a wire, like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free
But I swear, by this song and by all that I have done wrong
