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 If I, if I have been unkind I hope that you can just let it go by And if I, if I have been untrue 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, "why, why not ask for more?" Like a bird on the wire Like a drunk in a midnight choir I have tried in my way to be free I've tried in my way to be free