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Bird on the Wire in G, Capo 5

by Leonard Cohen

performed by Willie Nelson

Intro:  G x4

           G                D               G                           C

Like a bird on the wire, like a drunk in a midnight choir

             G               D              G  Gsus4 

I have tried in my way to be free

        G         D             G                                                         C

Like a worm on a hook, like a knight from some old-fashioned book

        G                     D                G (x2) (walkup)

I have saved all my ribbons for thee

C (x2)                           G (x2)

  If I, if I have been unkind

Am (x2)                                        G (x2)       

  I hope that you can just let it go by

C (x2)                             G (x2)

  If I, if I have been untrue,

Am (x2)                                           D (x2)

  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 (x2)

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              Gsus4  G (walkup)

I will make it all up to thee.

C (x2)                                                       G (x2)

  I saw a beggar leaning on his wooden crutch

Am (x2)                                                       G (x2)           

    He said to me, "You must not ask for so much."

C (x2)                                                               G (x2)

  And a pretty woman leaning in her darkened door,

Am (x2)                                                     D (x2)

   She cried to me, "Hey, why not ask for more?"

          G                D                G                             C

Like a bird on the wire, like a drunk in a midnight choir

            G               D             C      G

I have tried in my way to be free

Instrumental Verse