G           D             G                   C
Like a bird on a wire, like a drunk in a midnight choir
        G          D             G
I have tried in my way to be free
       G         D             G                             C
Like a fish on a hook, like a knight from some old-fashioned book
       G            D            G
I have saved all my ribbons for thee

C                         G
If I, if I have been unkind
Am                              D
I hope that you can let it go by
C                          G
If I, if I have been untrue,
Am                                 D
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
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       G
I will make it all up to thee.

C                                         G   
I saw a young man leaning on his wooden crutch
Am                                      D
He called out to me, "Don’t ask for so much."
C                                          G   
And a young woman leaning in her darkened door,
Am                                      D
She cried out to me, "Why not ask for more?"

        G           D             G                   C
Like a bird on a wire, like a drunk in a midnight choir
         G          D         C G
I have tried in my way to be free