Like a bird on a wire
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way
To be free
Like a fish on a hook
Like a knight in some old-fashioned book
I have saved all my ribbons
Just for thee
And if I have been unkind
I hope you just let it go by
And if I have been untrue
I hope you know it was never meant to you
Like a baby, stillborn
Like a beast with his horn
I have torn everyone
Who reached out for me
I saw a man leaning on a wooden crutch
He called out to me, "Why do you ask for so much?"
I saw a woman, she was standing in the door
She said, "Why not, why not ask for more?"
But I swear by this song
By all that I have done wrong
I will make it, I will make it
All up to thee
Like a bird on a wire
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way
To be free