` The speaker compares themselves to a bird on the wire, a drunk in a midnight choir, a worm on a hook, and a knight from an old-fashioned book, expressing their struggles with freedom, unkindness, and being true. They promise to make up for their wrongdoings and seek redemption. The lyrics also touch on societal expectations of not asking for too much versus wanting more. `

Meaning of "Bird On The Wire" by Madeleine Peyroux

` The lyrics of "Bird On The Wire" by Madeleine Peyroux delve into themes of inner conflict, redemption, and societal expectations. The speaker, feeling like a bird trapped on a wire or a drunk in a choir, expresses their struggles with trying to find freedom while acknowledging past mistakes and unkindness. The references to a baby stillborn and a beast with a horn reflect the inner turmoil and impact on relationships caused by their past actions. The promise to make things right to a loved one and the encounter with a beggar and a pretty woman highlight societal norms where asking for too much is discouraged, yet the desire for more persists. Overall, the lyrics speak to the complexity of human nature, internal struggles, and the desire for redemption despite past wrongs.

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