Bird on the Wire | Chords + Lyrics
Verse 1
|6/8 A | E E/B |
Like a bird on the wire.
| A | D |
Like a drunk in a midnight choir.
| A | E E/B | A Asus4 | A Aadd9 |
I have tried, in my way to be free.
Verse 2
| A | E E/B |
Like a worm on a hook.
| A | D |
Like a knight from some old-fashioned book.
| A | E E/B | A Asus4 | Aadd9 A |
I have saved all my ribbons for thee.
Chorus 1
| D | D | A | A Aadd9 |
If I, if I have been unkind.
| Bm | Bm | A | A |
I hope that you, can just let it go by.
| D | D | A | A Aadd9 |
If I, if I have been untrue.
| Bm | Bm | E Esus4 | E |
I hope you know it was never to you.
Verse 3
| A | E E/B |
Oh, like a baby, stillborn.
| A | D |
Like a beast with his horn.
| A | E E/B | A Asus4 | A Aadd9 |
I have torn everyone who reached out for me.
Verse 4
| A | E E/B |
But I swear by this song.
| A | D |
And by all that I have done wrong.
| A | E E/B | A Asus4 | Aadd9 A |
I will make it all up to thee.
Chorus 2
| D | D | A | A |
I saw a beggar leaning on his wooden crutch.
| Bm | Bm | A | A |
He said to me, “You must not ask for so much”.
| D | D | A | A |
And a pretty woman leaning in her darkened door.
| Bm | Bm | E Esus4 | E |
She cried to me, “Hey, why not ask for more?”
Verse 5
| A | E E/B |
Oh, like a bird on the wire.
| A | D |
Like a drunk in a midnight choir.
| A | E | D | A |
I have tried in my way to be free.
Bird on the Wire’s chords, progressions, and TAB
First released by Judy Collins in a country style, Bird on the Wire was soon recorded by Leonard Cohen himself in 1969 using a more folk approach.
Since then, it’s been covered by Johnny Cash, Jennifer Warnes, KD Lang, Joe Cocker, Tim Hardin, and many more.
Described by Mr. Cohen as a Cowboy Song, the chords are simple, although the picking pattern is more intricate and unusual than one may first suspect.
Members get TAB for how to play Bird on the Wire on just one acoustic guitar. Here’s a link to the complete lesson: Bird on the Wire chord analysis and TAB.
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Bird on the Wire chords
Beginner Acoustic
This collection of beginner acoustic tunes will teach you how to arrange for one acoustic guitar, as well as how to create a supporting part.
Playing songs will help you with switching between open-position chords and give you the context you need in order to understand how music works theoretically.
Five similar tunes
- The Drugs Don’t Work chords
- Everybody Hurts chords
- Famous Blue Raincoat chords
- Hallelujah chords
- So Long, Marianne chords
Leonard Cohen
Following a career as a novelist and poet for over a decade, Leonard Cohen released his debut album in 1967.
His best tunes include Suzanne, Bird on the Wire, Famous Blue Raincoat, Chelsea Hotel #2, Hallelujah, Dance Me To The End Of Love, and So Long, Marianne.
Leonard Cohen on the web
Country & Folk
In the primarily acoustic genres of Country & Folk, you must acquire what matters the most: A repertoire. Nothing else will give you the gig.
Learn tunes by Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Simon & Garfunkel, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, America, Don McLean, and many more.
