Bird on a Wire
Soul David Lyrics
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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.
If I, if I have been unkind,
I hope that you can just let it go by.
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?"
Oh like a bird on the wire,
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free.
David's song "Bird on a Wire" is a melancholic ballad that speaks to the struggles of living life on one's own terms. The lyrics draw on powerful metaphors and images, painting a picture of a person who feels trapped in their own existence, constantly searching for a way to be free. The metaphor of the bird on a wire is particularly potent, referring to the precarious balancing act that the singer performs as they try to navigate life's challenges.
The reference to a drunk in a midnight choir is a metaphor for someone who is out of place and out of tune with the world around them. Like the bird on the wire, the drunk in the choir is trying to find their place but feels as if they are always destined to fail. The singer's life has been like a worm on a hook, always willing to sacrifice themselves for others, but not receiving much in return.
The song closes with a pair of memorable verses. The first features a beggar offering advice to the singer, telling them not to ask for so much in life. The second features a pretty woman calling out to the singer, urging them to ask for more. These contrasting voices hint at the difficult choices we all face in life, and the often contradictory advice we receive.
Line by Line Meaning
Like a bird on the wire,
I am perched up high like a bird on a wire, with no direction or destination in sight.
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I am lost and wandering, like a drunk stumbling through a choir of people singing.
I have tried in my way to be free.
I have attempted to liberate myself from my inner demons in the only way I know how.
Like a worm on a hook,
I feel trapped and helpless, like a worm hooked on a line.
Like a knight from some old fashioned book
I am trying to live up to an ideal of chivalry and honor from a time long gone.
I have saved all my ribbons for thee.
I have kept all of my treasures and possessions aside for the one I love.
If I, if I have been unkind,
If I have hurt anyone in any way, knowingly or unknowingly.
I hope that you can just let it go by.
I hope that you can forgive my actions and move on.
If I, if I have been untrue
If I have lied, cheated or broken any promises.
I hope you know it was never to you.
I apologize if it seems like I have let you down, but it was never intentionally directed towards you.
Like a baby, stillborn,
I feel like a baby that never had the chance to fully grow, stillborn and unable to experience life fully.
Like a beast with his horn
I am like an animal, lashing out to protect myself, with my horns at the ready.
I have torn everyone who reached out for me.
I have pushed away or hurt everyone who has tried to offer me help or support.
But I swear by this song
I make this vow, swearing by the words of this song.
And by all that I have done wrong
By all of my misdeeds and failures.
I will make it all up to thee.
I will make amends and try to make things right with the person I care about the most.
I saw a beggar leaning on his wooden crutch,
I witnessed a beggar, resting tiredly on his wooden crutch.
He said to me, "You must not ask for so much."
He advised me, that I should not be asking for too much in life, but rather just be content with what I have.
And a pretty woman leaning in her darkened door,
I saw a beautiful woman standing in the doorway of her darkened house.
She cried to me, "Hey, why not ask for more?"
She encouraged me, to not settle for less, and to aim for greater things in life.
Oh like a bird on the wire,
Repeating the opening line, likening myself to a bird on a wire, unsure of where life will take me but always trying to stay free.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Leonard Cohen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind