Bird on the Wire
Freedom's Melody: Rita Coolidge's Reflection on Life's Struggles
Lyrics
Like a bird on the wire,
Feeling constrained or restricted, like a bird tethered to a wire.
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
Being in a state of intoxication amidst a group singing at midnight.
I have tried in my way to be free.
Expressing an attempt to find freedom in one's own way.
Like a worm on a hook,
Feeling ensnared or trapped, akin to a worm on a hook.
Like a knight from some old fashioned book
Comparing oneself to a knight from an old-fashioned tale.
I have saved all my ribbons for thee.
Saving personal tokens or achievements for a special person.
If I, if I have been unkind,
Acknowledging the possibility of being unkind.
I hope that you can just let it go by.
Hoping that any unkindness can be forgiven and overlooked.
If I, if I have been untrue
Recognizing the potential of being untrue or disloyal.
I hope you know it was never to you.
Clarifying that any unfaithfulness was not directed towards the listener.
Like a baby, stillborn,
Comparing oneself to a stillborn baby, possibly alluding to unfulfilled potential.
Like a beast with his horn
Similar to a beast with its horn, causing harm to those who approached.
I have torn everyone who reached out for me.
Hurting or rejecting everyone who tried to connect.
But I swear by this song
Swearing by the significance of the song and acknowledging past mistakes.
And by all that I have done wrong
Expressing a commitment to make amends for previous wrongs.
I will make it all up to thee.
Promising to compensate or make things right for a special person.
I saw a beggar leaning on his wooden crutch,
Observing a beggar cautioning against excessive desires or expectations.
He said to me, "You must not ask for so much."
Receiving advice to be content and not ask for too much.
And a pretty woman leaning in her darkened door,
Encountering a woman encouraging to seek more or aspire for greater things.
She cried to me, "Hey, why not ask for more?"
Highlighting the contrast in advice between the beggar and the woman.
Oh like a bird on the wire,
Reiterating the feeling of being restricted, akin to a bird on a wire.
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
Recalling the imagery of a drunk in a midnight choir.
I have tried in my way to be free.
Expressing an ongoing attempt to find freedom in one's own way.
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