Like A Bird On A Wire
Stephen Wayne
Original words and music by Leonard Cohen... "Bird On The Wire"
Stephen Wayne
Original words and music by Leonard Cohen... "Bird On The Wire"
Bird on the Wire
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
“Bird on the Wire”
Song by Leonard Cohen
Album Songs from a Room
Released April 1969
Recorded 26 September 1968, Nashville
Length 3:28
Writer Leonard Cohen
Producer Bob Johnston
Songs from a Room track listing
“Bird on the Wire”
"Bird on the Wire" is one of Leonard Cohen's signature songs. It was recorded 26 September 1968 in
Nashville and included on his 1969 album Songs from a Room. A May 1968 recording produced by David
Crosby, entitled "Like a Bird", was added to the 2007 remastered CD. Judy Collins was the first to release the
song on her 1968 album Who Knows Where the Time Goes.
In the 1960s, Cohen lived on the Greek island Hydra with his girlfriend Marianne (the woman depicted on
Songs from a Room's back cover). She has related how she helped him out of a depression by handing him
his guitar, whereupon he began composing "Bird on the Wire" – inspired by a bird sitting on one of Hydra's
recently installed phone wires, followed by memories of wet island nights. He finished it in a Hollywood motel.
Cohen has described "Bird on the Wire" as a simple country song, and the first recording, by Judy Collins,
was indeed done in a country setting. He later made various minor changes, such as the modifications
present on Cohen Live. Different renditions are included on all of his live albums. On occasion he also
performed Serge Lama's French version, "Je veux vivre tout seul", in concert.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
“Bird on the Wire”
Song by Leonard Cohen
Album Songs from a Room
Released April 1969
Recorded 26 September 1968, Nashville
Length 3:28
Writer Leonard Cohen
Producer Bob Johnston
Songs from a Room track listing
“Bird on the Wire”
"Bird on the Wire" is one of Leonard Cohen's signature songs. It was recorded 26 September 1968 in
Nashville and included on his 1969 album Songs from a Room. A May 1968 recording produced by David
Crosby, entitled "Like a Bird", was added to the 2007 remastered CD. Judy Collins was the first to release the
song on her 1968 album Who Knows Where the Time Goes.
In the 1960s, Cohen lived on the Greek island Hydra with his girlfriend Marianne (the woman depicted on
Songs from a Room's back cover). She has related how she helped him out of a depression by handing him
his guitar, whereupon he began composing "Bird on the Wire" – inspired by a bird sitting on one of Hydra's
recently installed phone wires, followed by memories of wet island nights. He finished it in a Hollywood motel.
Cohen has described "Bird on the Wire" as a simple country song, and the first recording, by Judy Collins,
was indeed done in a country setting. He later made various minor changes, such as the modifications
present on Cohen Live. Different renditions are included on all of his live albums. On occasion he also
performed Serge Lama's French version, "Je veux vivre tout seul", in concert.
Like a bird... on a wire... like a drunk in a midnight choir...
Girl I tried... in my own way... to live free...
Like a fish... on a hook... like a Knight in some old fashion book...
Girl I saved... all my ribbons... just for thee...
If I've... been unkind... girl I hope you... just let it... go by...
If I've... been untrue... I hope you know... it was never... to you...
Like a bird... free...
Like a bird... free...
Like a bird... free......
Like a child... stillborn... like a beast with his horn...
Girl I've torn... everyone... who reached out to me...
But I swear... by this song... and by all that I have done wrong...
Girl I'll make it... I'll make it all... up to thee...
Don't cry... no more...
Don't cry... no more...
Don't cry... no more...
Its over... its finished... its faithful...
Like a bird... free...
Like a bird... free...
Like a bird... free......
Girl I tried... in my own way... to live free...
Like a fish... on a hook... like a Knight in some old fashion book...
Girl I saved... all my ribbons... just for thee...
If I've... been unkind... girl I hope you... just let it... go by...
If I've... been untrue... I hope you know... it was never... to you...
Like a bird... free...
Like a bird... free...
Like a bird... free......
Like a child... stillborn... like a beast with his horn...
Girl I've torn... everyone... who reached out to me...
But I swear... by this song... and by all that I have done wrong...
Girl I'll make it... I'll make it all... up to thee...
Don't cry... no more...
Don't cry... no more...
Don't cry... no more...
Its over... its finished... its faithful...
Like a bird... free...
Like a bird... free...
Like a bird... free......
"I never knew what, or who I was... untill I heard Lenard Cohen's "Bird On
The Wire... I sometimes wonder if Ronnie Van Zant and Billy Powell (Lynyrd
Skynyrd) ever herd this song before they hammered out 'Free Bird'..."
Stephen Wayne.
The Wire... I sometimes wonder if Ronnie Van Zant and Billy Powell (Lynyrd
Skynyrd) ever herd this song before they hammered out 'Free Bird'..."
Stephen Wayne.
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