Like a bird on the wire Like a drunk in a midnight choir I have tried in my own way to be free Like a bird on a hook Like a night from an old-fashioned book I have saved all my rhythms just for you And if I have been unkind I hope that you will let it go right on by And if I have been untrue I hope you know it was not to you Like a babe stillborn Like a beast with his horns I have told everyone who reached out for me But I swear by this whole song By all I have done wrong I will make it through I'm gonna make it all, all up to you I saw a beggar man, oh, leaning on his crutch And he said to me, oh, you must not ask for so much And a pretty woman, leaning in her door She cried out to me, hey, why not ask for more Like a bird on the wire Like a drunk in a midnight choir I have tried in my own way to be free Oh, I have tried in my own way to be free Oh, to be free