Like a bird on a 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 in an old fashioned book I have saved all my ribbons for thee And if I have been unkind I hope you will let it go by And if I, I have been untrue Well, I hope you know, it was not to you Like a babe stillborn, like a beast with his horn I have torn everyone who reached out to me But I swear, by this song and by all that I have done wrong That I will make it, make it all up to you I saw a man leaning on his crutch And he said to me, why do you ask for so much? But I saw a woman, she was leaning in a door And she cried out to me, why not ask for more Like a bird on a wire, like a drunk in a midnight choir I have tried in my way to be free But I swear, by this song and by all that I have done wrong