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Like a bird on the wire,
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free.
Like a worm on a hook,
Like a knight from some old fashioned book
I have saved all my ribbons for thee.
If I, if I have been unkind,
I hope that you can just let it go by.
If I, if I have been untrue
I hope you know it was never to you.~ Bird on a Wire by Leonard Cohen
©ingridtaylar
The right scene and right song for a deep drizzling mist outside my window. This flock of Starlings perched across the Seattle cityscape. Where in the old days I’d see a skyline marred by wires, now I see potential. This is the same spot where I photographed the territorial display of Northern Flickers in January … also on a white day of winter vapors.
Photographed with the Olympus OM-D + Lumix 100-300mm • Processed in Lightroom and SilverEfexPro
Bird on a Wire – Leonard Cohen
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Musical ignoramus that I am, I only vaguely recognized the name Leonard Cohen — and that’s due to kd lang. I’ll pretend she’s singing “Hallelujah” to the birds on the wire in your photo, Ingrid; that way I have a (lame) excuse for linking to her marvelous rendition of that song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XyKZcvLqmk
I have *no* excuse for adding Susan Boyle’s version, except that I think it’s equally lovely (even though most listeners say kd “owns” Hallelujah and no one else can match her): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3m5yibqmRU
If I were a migrating bird, I guess my flight pattern would be a bit “off,” huh? While my flock was heading from Nova Scotia to Florida, I’d be wandering toward Nantucket.
CQ, I’ve always loved KD’s voice, thank you. I’m listening to it right now. I hadn’t heard Susan Boyle’s version, and it’s always so interesting to compare styles, cadence, etc. I’m a Leonard Cohen fan but like you, many years ago came upon his work through another artist — Judy Collins. Here’s a great first-person account, by Collins, describing the first time she got Leonard to perform on stage: https://www.leonardcohenfiles.com/cover0.html
Sounds like Leonard would never have gone on the stage to perform — or returned to the stage after he retreated in terror — were it not for Judy. Backstage stories are so interesting.
Everything’s just right… In all shades of thoughtful grey. Mellow and reflective. Thank you.
Everything’s just right … that settled my heart. When I see wild animals at peace, perching, preening, paying me no mind, I often think that. Everything, right now, in this moment, is right.