Bird On A Wire

by Leonard Cohen
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Lyrics

Like a (D)bird

on the (A)wire,

like a (D)drunk in a mid night (G)choir,

I have (D)tried

in my (A)way

to be (D)free.

Like a (D)worm

a (A)hook,

like a knight from some old fash ioned (G)book,

(D)saved

all (A)rib bons

for (D)thee.

Like a

If I,

if I have

been un (D)kind,

I hope that you

can just let it go (D)by.

If I,

if I have been un (D)true,

I hope you know

it was nev er to (A)you.

More like a (D)ba by

still (A)born

like a (D)beast

with his (G)horn,

I have (D)torn

ev ’ry (A)one

who reached out for (D)me.

But I (D)swear

by this (A)song,

and by (D)all that I have done (G)wrong,

I will make it (A)all

up to (D)thee.

I saw a beg gar lean ing on his wood en (D)crutch.

He said to me,

β€˜β€˜You must not ask for (D)so much.’’

And a pret ty wom an lean ing in her dark ened (D)door,

She cried to me,

β€˜β€˜Hey, why not ask for (A)more?’’

More like a (D)bird

on the (A)wi re,

like a (D)drunk in a mid night (G)choir,

I have (D)tried

in my (A)way

to be (G)free.

Bird On A Wire β€” Piano Accompaniment (Falling Notes)

4 people have learned this song

Free piano accompaniment for "Bird On A Wire" by Leonard Cohen in falling-notes (Synthesia) style. Watch the chord notes fall as you sing or play your instrument over the backing. Adjustable key + tempo. Original key D, 66 BPM.

Tip: Press play and sing the melody on top of the piano. If the original key (D) sits too high or low for your voice, use the transpose control to shift the accompaniment into a comfortable range β€” the backing moves with you. Need a pitch reference? Tap the mic icon to bring the vocal melody in.

Try other practice modes:

About β€œBird On A Wire”

Why does the accompaniment for "Bird On A Wire" show falling notes?
Falling Notes makes each chord visual β€” colored notes drop onto the keyboard so you can FEEL the rhythm of the backing before each entry. Singers find it easier to lock in with the piano's groove when they see the chord notes land instead of just hearing them.
What key is the piano accompaniment for "Bird On A Wire" by Leonard Cohen in?
The backing track is in D at 66 BPM. If that doesn't sit in your vocal range, use the live transpose control to shift up or down semitones β€” the accompaniment moves with the new key automatically.
Can I sing over "Bird On A Wire" with this accompaniment?
Yes β€” that's exactly what it's built for. The vocal melody is muted by default so you can sing freely. Need a pitch reference? Tap the mic icon to bring the melody back in at a lower volume.
Is this a karaoke version of "Bird On A Wire"?
Effectively yes β€” it's the piano-only backing for "Bird On A Wire", with no vocals. You can also slow it down to practice tricky verses, then bring it back to full tempo.
Can I use "Bird On A Wire" as a backing track for my instrument?
Absolutely. Singers, guitarists, violinists, wind players, and instrumental practice in general all work β€” the piano holds the harmony so you can carry the melody on whatever instrument you play.
Can I download the accompaniment for "Bird On A Wire"?
Yes β€” registered users can download MIDI + MusicXML (open in any notation software). PDF sheet music is also available for the full arrangement.
Who wrote "Bird On A Wire"?
"Bird On A Wire" was originally performed by Leonard Cohen. This piano accompaniment is an arrangement of that song, designed for sing-along and play-along use.
What other backing tracks by Leonard Cohen are available?
Other accompaniments by Leonard Cohen: "Almost Like The Blues", "Anthem", "Closing Time". Same toggle-the-melody, change-the-key setup.
Can I use "Bird On A Wire" as a backing track for singing?
Yes β€” this is the piano accompaniment for Bird On A Wire by Leonard Cohen, with the chord notes falling visually so you can see exactly when each chord lands. Original key is D; transpose live to fit your voice.
How is this different from the bar-sheet accompaniment?
Same audio backing β€” different visualization. Falling notes show each chord note dropping in real time (like Synthesia), which makes the chord rhythm easier to feel. Use whichever view helps you stay on the beat.

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