Bird on the Wire chords by Leonard Cohen


Video blocked due to privacy settings

[rcb-consent type=”change” tag=”link” text=”Change privacy settings”]

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

Bird on the Wire Analysis + TAB T

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.

Become a member today and get unlimited access to all my guitar courses, the SEPR practice route, and the eBook Spytunes Method – You can learn guitar!

Bird on the Wire chords


Beginner Acoustic

Beginner Acoustic Songs

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

When you can play Bird on the Wire's chords, try these five tunes from the song book.

Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen tunes

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

Listen to Leonard Cohen y on Spotify.

Country & Folk

Country and Folk tunes

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.


FOLLOW SPYTUNES

Share this page