“Like a bird on the wire, Like a drunk in a midnight choir, I have tried in my way to be free.”

song ~ “Bird on a Wire”
artist ~ Leonard Cohen   

Like a bird on the 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 from some old-fashioned book
I have saved all my ribbons for thee

For 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

If I, if I have been unkind
I hope that you can just let it go by
If I, if I have been untrue
I hope you know it was never to you

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    _{(Image source)}

Comments 

The late, great Canadian poet and musician Leonard Cohen began writing this song when he was living on a Greek island in the 1960s. 

Cheer up, fly high

Apparently, he had been somewhat depressed. Then, one day, his girlfriend handed him his guitar, hinting that he should cheer up a bit. Noticing a bird perched on a telephone wire, he was inspired to pen these lines.

He wants more, but needs nothing more

The final verse is particularly beautiful and profound. The poet realizes that even though he does not need any more pleasures or joys in his life, he has every right to enjoy life to its fullest. Or vice versa.

Many birds do sing

“Bird on a Wire” was first recorded by Judy Collins in 1968. Subsequently, Cohen’s version appeared on his 1969 album “Songs from a Room.” It became one of his signature songs, and has been covered by numerous other singers.    _{(Image source)}
Leonard Cohen – "Bird on a Wire"  _{(Right-click to hear on YouTube)}
Lyrics by Leonard Cohen, courtesy of – Genius.com
References – Wikipedia

This is my entry in the 60-Day Lyrics Challenge

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