Bird On The Wire
View chords used in this chart
Capo 2
C G C F C G C G
C G
Like a bird on the wire,
C F
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
C G C G
I have tried in my way to be free.
C G
Like a worm on a hook,
C F
Like a knight from some old fashioned book
C G C C7
I have saved all my ribbons for thee.
F C C7
If I, if I have been unkind,
F C C7
Well I hope that you can just let it go by.
F C
And if I, if I have been untrue
F G G7
Well I hope you know it was never to you.
C G
Like a baby, stillborn,
C F
Like a beast with his horn
C G C G
I have torn everyone who reached out for me.
C G
But I swear by this song
C F
And by all that I have done wrong
C G C C7
I will make it all up to thee.
F C C7
I saw a beggar leaning on his wooden crutch,
F C C7
Well he said to me, "You must not ask for so much."
F C C7
And a pretty woman standing by her darkened door,
F G G7
She said to me, "why not ask for more?"
C G
Oh like a bird on the wire,
C F
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
C G C F C G C
I have tried in my way to be free
How to play Bird On The Wire
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is C. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.