A Summary of the |
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Different Versions of the |
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Poems and
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| "Ain't No Cure For Love" | I'm Your Man | Stranger Music |
| And I can't believe that time's gonna heal this wound I'm speaking of -- There ain't no cure, there ain't no cure, there ain't no cure for love. | And I can't believe that time can heal this wound I'm speaking of -- There ain't no cure, there ain't no cure, there ain't no cure for love. | |
| I walked into this empty church -- I had no place else to go -- when the sweetest voice I ever heard, whispered to my soul. | I walked into this empty church -- I had no place else to go -- when the sweetest voice I ever heard, came whispering to my soul. |
| "Anthem" | The Future; More Best Of Leonard Cohen; The Essential Leonard Cohen; Stranger Music | Live In London; Live In Dublin |
| Start again, I heard them say, Don't dwell on what has passed away or what is yet to be. | Start again, I seem to hear them say, Do not dwell on what has passed away or what is yet to be. | |
| The holy dove be caught again bought and sold and bought again; the dove is never free. | The holy dove she will be caught again bought and sold and bought again; the dove is never free. | |
| We asked for signs the signs were sent: the birth betrayed, the marriage spent; the widowhood of every government -- signs for all to see. | We asked for signs and the signs were sent: the birth betrayed, the marriage spent; the widowhood of every single government -- signs for all to see. | |
| Can't run no more with that lawless crowd | I can't run no more with that lawless crowd | |
| You can strike up the march, there is no drum. | You can strike up the march, on your little broken drum. |
| "The Asthmatic" | Death of a Lady's Man | Stranger Music |
| Because you will never have the beautiful one. You cannot breathe. Because you will not sail into the small harbour and enter the village. You cannot breathe. | Because you will never have the beautiful one. You cannot breathe. You cannot breathe. | |
| Because this is the valley of the shadow of death. You cannot breathe. The boat has brought you here. The butterfly sealed your escape. Because you cannot be here. You cannot breathe. The butterfly smashed into a silver tray and sealed your escape like a stone rolled into a tunnel. You cannot breathe. | Because this is the valley of the shadow of death. You cannot breathe. Because you cannot be here. | |
| Because of an idea of the calm breath. You cannot breathe. Here they have orange and lemon trees. Here there are baths of mineral waters. Because you want to choose a way. You cannot breathe. | Because of an idea of the calm breath. You cannot breathe. Because you want to choose a way. You cannot breathe. |
| "Avalanche" | Songs Of Love And Hate | Stranger Music |
| I myself am the pedestal for this ugly hump at which you stare |
I myself am the pedestal for this hump at which you stare |
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| Your pain is no credential here it's just the shadow of my wound |
Your cross is no credential here it's just the shadow of my wound |
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| I have begun to long for you I who have no greed I have begun to ask for you I who have no need |
I have begun to long for you I who have no need I have begun to wait for you I who have no greed |
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| You don't love me quite so fiercely now when you know you are not sure |
And don't love me quite so fiercely when you know you are not sure |
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| It is your turn beloved it is your flesh that I wear |
It is your world beloved it is your flesh that I wear |
| "The Beetle" | Death of a Lady's Man | Stranger Music |
| An oath of friendship between you and your beetle came to your lips. It was touching. You pleased yourself with your mercy. Stay with me. You are the beetle I do not crush, so busy in the light of my eyes. | An oath of friendship between you and your beetle came to your lips. It was touching. You are the beetle I do not crush, so busy in the light of my eyes. |
| "Bird On The Wire" | Songs From A Room; The Best Of Leonard Cohen; Stranger Music | Live Songs | Cohen Live | Field Commander Cohen | Live In London; Live In Fredericton; Live In Dublin | Live At the Isle of Wight 1970 | Songs From The Road |
| Like a bird on the wire Like a drunk in a midnight choir I have tried in my way to be free |
Like a bird on the wire Like a drunk in some midnight choir I have tried in my way to be free |
Like a bird on the wire Like a drunk in an old midnight choir I have tried in my way to be free |
Like a bird on the wire Like a drunk in some old midnight choir I have tried in my way to be free |
Like a bird on the wire Like a drunk in an old midnight choir I have tried in my way to be free |
Like a bird on the wire Like a drunk in some midnight choir I have tried in my way, I tried to be free |
Like a bird on the wire Like a drunk in a midnight choir I have tried in my way to be free |
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| Like a knight from some old-fashioned book I have saved all my ribbons for thee |
Like a knight from some old-fashioned book It was the shape of our love twisted me |
Like a knight bent down in some old-fashioned book It was the shape of our love that twisted me |
Like a monk bending over the book It was the shape of our love that twisted me |
Like a knight bent down in some old-fashioned book It was the shape of our love that twisted me |
Like a knight from some old-fashioned book I have saved all my sorrows for thee |
Like a knight bent down in some old-fashioned book It was the shape of our love that twisted me |
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| If I have been unkind I hope that you can just let it go by |
If I have been unkind I hope you can just let it go by |
If I have been unkind I hope you can find a way to let it all go right on by |
If I have been unkind I hope that you can just let it all go right on by |
If I have been unkind I hope you can find a way to let it all go right on by |
If I have been unkind I hope you can just let it all go by |
If I have been unkind I hope you can find a way to let it all go right on by |
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| If I have been untrue I hope you know it was never to you. |
If I have been untrue It's just that I thought a lover had to be some kind of liar too |
If I have been untrue It's just that I thought a lover had to be some kind of liar too |
If I have been untrue It's just that I thought that a lover had to be some kind of liar too |
If I have been untrue It's just that I thought that a lover had to be some kind of liar too |
If I have been untrue It's just that I thought a lover had to be some kind of liar too |
If I have been untrue It's just that I thought a lover had to be some kind of liar too |
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| Like a baby stillborn, Like a beast with his horn I have torn everyone who reached out for me |
Like a baby stillborn Like a beast with his horn I have torn everyone who reached out for me |
Like a little baby stillborn Like a beast with his horn I have torn everyone who reached out for me |
Like a little baby stillborn, Like a beast with his horn I have torn everyone who reached out for me |
Like a baby stillborn Like a beast with his horn I have torn everyone who reached out for me |
Like a baby stillborn Like a beast with his horn I have torn everyone who reached out for me, come on reach out for me |
Like a little baby stillborn Like a beast with his horn I have torn everyone who reached out for me |
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| But I swear by this song And by all that I have done wrong I will make it all up to thee |
But I swear by this song And by all that I have done wrong I will make it all up to thee |
But I swear by this song And by all that I have done wrong I will make it all up to thee |
But I swear by this song I swear by all that I have done wrong I will make it all up to thee |
But I swear by this song I swear by all that I have done wrong I will make it all up to thee |
But I swear by this song And by all that I have done wrong I will make it all up to thee |
But I swear by this song And by all that I have done wrong I will make it all up to thee |
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| I saw a beggar leaning on his wooden crutch He said to me "You must not ask for so much" And a pretty woman leaning in her darkened door She cried to me "Hey, why not ask for more?" |
I saw a beggar leaning on his wooden crutch He says to me "Come on now, you must not ask for so much" And another pretty woman, she was leaning in her darkened door She cried out to me "Come on now, why don't you ask for just a little more?" |
Don't cry, don't cry no more It's over now, it's over baby Don't cry no more Don't cry anymore It's over, it's finished, it's completed and it has been paid for |
I saw a beggar standing there on his wooden crutch He cries out to me "You must learn not ask for so much" Another pretty woman waiting there in her darkened door She cried out to me "Why not ask for just a little bit more?" |
I saw this beggar he was leaning on his wooden crutch He says to me "Leonard, you just can't ask for that much." A pretty woman standing in her darkened door She cried out to me "Hey, why not ask for just a little bit more?" |
I saw a beggar he was leaning in his wooden crutch He says to me "Do not ask for so much" And a pretty woman, she was leaning in her darkened door She cried out to me "Hey, hey why not ask for some more?" |
I said don't cry, don't cry no more It's over now, it's done, it has been paid for I said don't cry you were always the one It was you that this longing was made for |
| "The Captain" | Various Positions | Stranger Music |
| "And I've read the Bill of Human Rights and some of it was true but there wasn't any burden left so I'm laying it on you." |
"And I've read the Bill of Human Rights and some of it was true but there wasn't any burden left so I'm laying one on you." |
| "Chelsea Hotel #2" | New Skin For The Old Ceremony; The Best Of Leonard Cohen | Stranger Music; Live In Dublin | Live In London (at Beacon Theater, NY) |
| But you got away, didn't you, baby, you just turned your back on the crowd. |
But you got away, didn't you, baby, you just turned your back on the crowd. |
But you got away, didn't you, babe, you just threw it all to the ground. |
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| And you got away, didn't you, baby, you just turned your back on the crowd. |
But you got away, didn't you, baby, you just threw it all to the ground. |
And then you got away, didn't you, baby, you just turned your back on the crowd. |
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| I don't mean to suggest that I loved you the best; I can't keep track of each fallen robin. |
I don't mean to suggest that I loved you the best; I don't keep track of each fallen robin. |
I don't mean to suggest that I loved you the best; I don't keep track of each fallen robin. |
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| I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel -- that's all, I don't even think of you that often. |
I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel -- that's all, I don't even think of you that often. |
I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel -- that's all my little darlin', I don't even think of you that often. |
| "Diamonds In The Mine" | Songs Of Love And Hate | Stranger Music | Live At The Isle of Wight |
| (excluded) | (excluded) | They gave me some money for my sad and famous song they said the crowd is waiting, hurry up or they'll be gone but I could not change my style and I guess I never will so I sing this for the poison snakes on Devastation Hill |
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| The woman in blue she's asking for revenge The man in white (that's you) says he has no friends The river is swollen up with rusty cans and the trees are burning in your promised land |
The woman in blue she's asking for revenge The man in white (that's you) says he has no friends The river is swollen up with dirty rusty cans and the trees are burning in your promised land |
The lady in blue she's asking for revenge The man in white (that's you) says he has no friends Well I saw the man in question it was just the other night He was eating up a lady where the lions and Christians fight |
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| There is no comfort in the covens of the witch Some very clever doctor went and sterilized the bitch And the only man of energy (the revolution's pride) he trained a hundred women just to kill an unborn child |
There is no comfort in the covens of the witch Some very clever doctor went and sterilized the bitch And the only man of energy (the revolution's pride) showed a million women how to kill an unborn child |
Now there is no comfort in the covens of the witch There's no easy way to tell you who is poor and who is rich And the only man of energy (yes, the revolution's pride) they say he trained a hundred women just to kill an unborn child |
| "Everybody Knows" | I'm Your Man; More Best Of Leonard Cohen | Stranger Music | Cohen Live | Live In London; Live In Dublin |
| Everybody knows, everybody knows. That's how it goes. Everybody knows. | Everybody knows, everybody knows. That's how it goes. Everybody knows. | Everybody knows, everybody knows. That's how it goes. Everybody knows. | ||
| Everybody knows that you live forever when you've done a line or two. | Everybody knows that you live forever when you've done a line or two. | Everybody knows that you live forever when you've done a little line or two. | Everybody knows that you live forever when you've done a little line or two. | |
| Everybody knows it's coming apart: take one last look at this Sacred Heart before it blows. | Everybody knows it's coming apart: take one last look at this Sacred Heart before it blows. | Everybody knows it's coming apart: take one last look at this Mighty Heart before it blows. | Everybody knows it's coming apart: take one last look at this Sacred Heart before it blows. |
| "Famous Blue Raincoat" | Songs Of Love And Hate; The Best Of Leonard Cohen; Songs From The Road | Stranger Music | Live At The Isle of Wight |
| If you ever come by here for Jane or for me, your enemy is sleeping and his woman is free. | If you ever come by here for Jane or for me, I want you to know that your enemy is sleeping. I want you to know that his woman is free. | If you ever come by here for Jane or for me, I want you to know that your enemy is sleeping. I want you to know that his woman is free. | |
| I see you there with the rose in your teeth, one more thin gypsy thief. Well, I see Jane's awake. She sends her regards. | I see you there with the rose in your teeth, one more thin gypsy thief. Well, I see Jane's awake. She sends her regards. | Yes, and Jane came by with a lock of your hair. She said that you gave it to her the night that you planned to go clear. She sends her regards. |
| "Field Commander Cohen" | New Skin For The Old Ceremony | Field Commander Cohen | Stranger Music | Can't Forget |
| I know you need your sleep now, I know your life's been hard, but many men are falling where you promised to stand guard. | I know you need your sleep now. I know your life's been hard, but many men have fallen where you promised to stand guard. | I know you need your sleep now, I know your life's been hard, but many men are falling where you promised to stand guard. | I know you need your sleep now. I know your life's been hard, but many men have fallen where you promised to stand guard. | |
| But then I overheard your prayer that you be this and nothing more than just some grateful, faithful woman's favourite singing millionaire... | How come I overheard your prayer that you be this and nothing more than just some grateful, faithful woman's favourite singing millionaire... | How come I overheard your prayer that you be this and nothing more than just some grateful, faithful woman's favourite singing millionaire... | How come I overheard your prayer that you be this and nothing more than just some grateful, faithful woman's favourite singing millionaire... | |
| (Excluded) | [from "Rum and Coca-Cola," words by Morey Amsterdam, music by Jeri Kelli Sullivan and Paul Girlando: Drinkin' rum and Coca-Cola. Go down Point Koomahnah. Both mother and daughter. Working for the Yankee dollar.] | (Excluded) | [from "Rum and Coca-Cola," words by Morey Amsterdam, music by Jeri Kelli Sullivan and Paul Girlando: Drinkin' rum and Coca-Cola. Go down Point Koomahnah. Both mother and daughter. Working for the Yankee dollar.] | |
| Lover, come and lie with me, if my lover is who you are. And be your sweetest self a while, until I ask for more, my child. Then let the other selves be rung, yes, let them manifest and come 'til every taste is on the tongue, 'til love is pierced and love is hung, and every kind of freedom done, then oh my love, oh my love, oh my love, oh my love. | Lover, come and lie with me, if my lover is who you really are. And be your sweetest self a while, until I ask for more, my child. Then let your other selves be wrung; let them manifest and come, 'til love is pierced and love is hung and every taste is on the tongue, and every kind of freedom done, then oh my love, oh my love, oh my love. | Lover, come and lie with me, if my lover is who you are. And be your sweetest self a while, until I ask for more, my child. Then let the other selves be rung, yes, let them manifest and come 'til every taste is on the tongue, 'til love is pierced and love is hung, and every kind of freedom done, then oh my love, oh my love, oh my love, oh my love. | O Love, come and lie with me, if my lover is who you really are. And be your sweetest self at first, till we come see the deeper thirst. Then go to where the selves are from, summon them and let them come 'til love is pierced and love is hung and every taste is on the tongue, and every kind of freedom done, and oh my love, oh my love, oh my love. |
| "The Fly" | Let Us Compare Mythologies Selected Poems 1956-1968 |
Stranger Music |
| In his black armour the house-fly marched the field of Freia's sleeping thighs, |
In his black armour the house-fly marched the field of Freda's sleeping thighs, |
| "The Future" | The Future; More Best Of Leonard Cohen | Stranger Music | Live In London; Live In Dublin |
| and the white man dancin' | (Excluded) | yeah, the white girls dancing |
| "The Guests" | Recent Songs | Field Commander Cohen |
| And all go stumbling through that house in lonely secrecy |
And all go stumbling through that house in the utmost urgency |
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| And here they take their sweet repast While house and grounds dissolve And one by one the guests are cast beyond the garden wall |
(Excluded) |
| "Hallelujah" | Various Positions | Stranger Music | Cohen Live; More Best Of Leonard Cohen | Live In London; Songs From The Road | Live In Dublin |
| Now I've heard there was a secret chord that David played and it pleased the Lord, but you don't really care for music, do you?... |
I've heard there was a secret chord that David played to please the Lord, but you don't really care for music, do you? |
(excluded) | I've heard there was a secret chord that David played and it pleased the Lord, but you don't really care for music, do you? |
I've heard there was a secret chord that David played and it pleased the Lord, but you don't really care for music, do you? |
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| Your faith was strong but you needed proof. You saw her bathing on the roof; her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you |
Your faith was strong but you needed proof. You saw her bathing on the roof; her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you |
(excluded) | Your faith was strong but you needed proof. You saw her bathing on the roof; her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you |
Your faith was strong but you needed proof. You saw her bathing on the roof; her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you |
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| You say I took the Name in vain; I don't even know the name. But if I did, well, really, what's it to you? |
You say I took the Name in vain; I don't even know the name. But if I did, well, really, what's it to you? |
(excluded) | (excluded) | You say I took the Name in vain; I don't even know the name. But if I did, well, really, what's it to you? |
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| I did my best; it wasn't much. I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch. I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you. |
I did my best; it wasn't much. I couldn't feel, so I learned to touch. I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you. |
I did my best; it wasn't much. I couldn't feel, so I learned to touch. I've told the truth, I didn't come all this way to fool you. |
I done my best; it wasn't much. I couldn't feel, so I learned to touch. I've told the truth, I didn't come here to London just to fool you. |
I did my best; it wasn't much. I couldn't feel, so I learned to touch. I've told the truth, I didn't come here tonight friends to fool you. |
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| And even though it all went wrong, I'll stand before the Lord of Song with nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah! |
And even though it all went wrong, I'll stand before the Lord of Song with nothing on my lips but Hallelujah! |
And even though it all went wrong, I'll stand right here before the Lord of Song with nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah! |
And even though it all went wrong, I'll stand before the Lord of Song with nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah! |
And even though it all went wrong, I'll stand before the Lord of Song with nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah! |
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| (excluded) | Baby, I've been here before. I know this room, I've walked this floor. I used to live alone before I knew you. |
Baby, I've been here before. I know this room, I've walked this floor. I used to live alone before I knew you. |
Oh people, I've been here before. I know this room and I've walked this floor. You see, I used to live alone before I knew you. |
(excluded) | |
| (excluded) | I've seen your flag on the marble arch, but love is not a victory march, it's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah! |
I've seen your flag on the marble arch, but listen, love is not some kind of victory march, it's cold and it's a very broken Hallelujah! |
I've seen your flag on the marble arch, you see love is not a victory march, it's a cold and it's a very lonely Hallelujah! |
(excluded) | |
| (excluded) | There was a time you let me know what's really going on below but now you never show it to me, do you? |
There was a time you let me know what's really going on below but now you never show it to me, do you? |
There was a time you let me know what's really going on below but now you never even show it to me, do you? |
There was a time you let me know what's really going on below but now you never even show it to me, do you? |
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| (excluded) | I remember when I moved in you, and the holy dove was moving too, and every breath we drew was Hallelujah! |
I remember when I moved in you, and the holy dove she was moving too, and every single breath we drew was Hallelujah! |
I remember when I moved in you, and the holy dove she was moving too, and every single breath that we drew was Hallelujah! |
I remember when I moved in you, and the holy dove she was moving too, and every single breath that we drew was Hallelujah! |
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| (excluded) | Now maybe there's a God above but all I ever learned from love is how to shoot at someone who outdrew you. |
Now maybe there's a God above but as for me all I ever seem to learn from love is how to shoot at someone who outdrew you. |
Now maybe there's a God above as for me all I ever learned from love is how to shoot at someone who outdrew you. |
(excluded) | |
| (excluded) | And it's no complaint you hear tonight, and it's not some pilgrim who's seen the light -- it's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah! |
And it's not a complaint you'll hear tonight, it's not the laughter of someone who claims to have seen the light -- it's a cold and it's a lonely Hallelujah! |
But it's not a cry that you hear tonight, it's not some pilgrim that has seen the light -- it's a cold and it's a very broken Hallelujah! |
(excluded) |
| "Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye" | Songs Of Leonard Cohen; The Best Of Leonard Cohen; Stranger Music | Field Commander Cohen; Live In London |
| But let's not talk of love or chains And things we can't untie |
But now it's come to distances Both of us must try |
| "His Suicide Was Simply Not a Puzzle" entitled "Purest of Occasions" in Stranger Music | The Energy of Slaves | Stranger Music |
| His suicide was simply not a puzzle even to those of us who photographed him |
His suicide was simply not a puzzle especially to those of us who photographed him |
| "How We Loved You" entitled "Aquarian Age" in Stranger Music | The Energy of Slaves | Stranger Music |
| How we loved you our first poet who never knew what he was doing stumbling and swinging to embrace the pillars of the geodesic dome and bring it down on drunk and clever guests We loved your darkest days in delayed airports as you laboured to abstract the beauty of female fellow travelers willing at last to be ravished by certain Muzak adaptations The slow poem was everything It grew minutely like rust and wrinkle on the betrayed covenant You were tentimes faithless to every body but this one bored and dying whenever you turned your useless kisses to depend upon the shades of home But then it was broken then it was old you came back from your dead warm bed the rainbow veteran to denounce the gold to take my hand out of the fire in my pocket |
(excluded) |
| "I Am Punished When I Do Not Work on This Poem" entitled "I Am Punished" in Stranger Music | The Energy of Slaves | Stranger Music |
| I am punished when I do not work on this poem or when I try to invent something |
I am punished when I do not sweat or when I try to invent something |
| "I Believe You Heard Your Master Sing" | Parasites of Heaven | Selected Poems 1956-1968 |
| You met him at a nightclub where they take your clothes at the door He was just a numberless man of a pair who has just come back from the war |
You met him at some temple where they take your clothes at the door He was just a numberless man of a pair who has just come back from the war |
| "I Came So Far For Beauty" | Recent Songs | Stranger Music |
| I thought I'd be rewarded for such a lonely choice, and surely she would answer to such a very hopeless voice |
I thought I'd be rewarded for such a very lonely choice, and surely she would answer to such a hopeless voice |
|
| I changed my clothes to black and where I would surrender, now I would attack |
I changed my clothes to black and where I did surrender, now I would attack |
| "I Can't Forget" | I'm Your Man | Stranger Music |
| And I promise, cross my heart, they'll never catch us, but if they do, just tell them it was me. |
And I promise, cross my heart, they'll never catch us, but if they do, just say it was me. |
|
| And I can't forget, I can't forget I can't forget but I don't remember what. |
And I can't forget, I can't forget I can't forget but I can't remember what. |
| "I Met a Woman Long Ago" | Parasites of Heaven | Selected Poems 1956-1968 |
| Teachers, are my lessons done, or must I do another one? They laughed and laughed: Child, you've just begun. |
Teachers, are my lessons done, or must I learn another one? They cried: Dear Sir or Madam, Daughter, Son. |
| "I'm Your Man" | I'm Your Man; More Best Of Leonard Cohen | Stranger Music | Cohen Live |
| If you want a lover I'll do anything you ask me to And if you want another kind of love I'll wear a mask for you |
If you want a lover I'll do anything you ask me to And if you want another kind of love I'll wear a mask for you |
If you want a lover I'll do anything you ask me to And if you want another kind of love I'll wear my leather mask for you |
|
| If you want a boxer I will step into the ring for you If you want a doctor I'll examine every inch of you |
If you want a boxer I will step into the ring for you If you want a doctor I'll examine every inch of you |
If you want a boxer I will step into the ring for you If you want a Jewish doctor I'll uncover every inch of you |
|
| If you've got to sleep a moment on the road I will steer for you and if you want to work the street alone I'll disappear for you |
If you want to sleep a moment on the road I will steer for you and if you want to work the street alone I'll disappear for you |
If you want to sleep for a minute on the road I will steer for you and if you want to work the street alone I'll disappear for you |
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| If you want a father for your child or only want to walk with me a while across the sand I'm your man |
If you want a father for your child or only want to walk with me a while across the sand I'm your man |
If you want a father for your child or only want to walk with me another mile across the sand I'm your man |
| "Is This What You Wanted" | New Skin For The Old Ceremony | Stranger Music |
| You were the sensitive woman I was the very reverend Freud |
You were the sensitive woman I was Sigmund Freud |
|
| You lusted after so many I lay here with one |
You lusted after many I stayed here with one |
|
| You defied your solitude I came through alone |
You betrayed your solitude I came through alone |
| "It's Probably Spring" - commentary |
Death of a Lady's Man | Stranger Music |
| There is a mood for which Beethoven is too loud, and Bach too wise, and silence too good for a filthy heart such as beats in my breast, but I take my comfort from the creaky hurdy-gurdy tune cranked out uselessly by the one I follow morning and night on a whim of love and a gambler's chance. Tears are close but the Kleenex is too near to make this a great occasion. I read the piece again and again, so pleased that the poet has taken such pains not to touch me. | There is a mood for which Beethoven is too loud, and Bach too wise, and silence too good for a filthy heart such as beats in my breast, but I take my comfort from the creaky hurdy-gurdy tune cranked out uselessly by the one I follow morning and night on a whim of love and a gambler's chance. I read the piece again and again, so pleased that the poet has taken such pains not to touch me. |
| "Joan Of Arc" | Songs Of Love And Hate; Stranger Music | Cohen Live |
| no moon to keep her armour bright, no man to get her through this very smoky night. |
no moon to keep her armour bright, no man to get her through this dark, this very smoky night. | |
| I'm glad to hear you talk this way I've watched you riding every day, |
I'm glad to hear you talk this way I've watched you riding almost every single day, |
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| "And I love your solitude, I love your pride." | "And I love your solitude, how I love your sense of pride." | |
| And deep into his fiery heart he took the dust of Joan of Arc, and high above the wedding guests he hung the ashes of her wedding dress. |
And deep into his fiery heart he took the dust of Joan of Arc, and high above all these assembled wedding guests he hung the ashes of her very lovely wedding dress. | |
| It was deep into his fiery heart he took the dust of Joan of Arc, |
It was deep into his fiery heart he took the dust of our precious Joan of Arc, |
| "A Kite Is a Victim" | The Spice-Box of Earth; Selected Poems 1956-1968 | Stranger Music |
| because it lives like a desperate trained falcon in the high sweet air, |
because it lives like a trained falcon in the high sweet air, |
| "Light As The Breeze" | The Future; Can't Forget | Stranger Music |
| It's dark now and it's snowing O my love I must be going The river has started to freeze |
It's dark now and it's snowing I've got to be going St. Lawrence River is starting to freeze |
| "Lover Lover Lover" | New Skin For The Old Ceremony | Field Commander Cohen; Live In Dublin | Songs From The Road |
| And may the spirit of this song, may it rise up pure and free. May it be a shield for you, a shield against the enemy. |
(Excluded) | And may the spirit of this song, may it rise up pure and free. May it be a shield for all of you, a shield against the enemy. |
|
| (Excluded) | You may come to me in happieness, or you may come to me in grief. You may come to me in deepest faith, or you may come in disbelief. |
You may come to me in happieness, or you may come to me in grief. You may come to me in deepest faith, or you may come in disbelief. |
| "The Lists" | Flowers for Hitler; Selected Poems 1956-1968 | Stranger Music |
| The women who elected him performed erotic calesthenics above the stock-reports of every hero's fame |
The women who elected him performed erotic calesthenics above the stock-reports of his and every hero's fame |
| "This Marriage" | Death of a Lady's Man | Stranger Music |
| I said, Because it is so horrible between us I will go and stop Egypt's bullet. Trumpets and a curtain of razor blades. Organ music. She said, That's beautiful. Then I can commit suicide and the child falls into strangers' hands. The radio said, He helped a lot of people, but the good they do die young, I just looked around and he was gone. I said. She said. The monstrosities of Lilith attack her. Yug, yug, yug, she said. | I said, Because it is so horrible between us I will go and stop Egypt's bullet. She said, That's beautiful. Then I can commit suicide and the child falls into strangers' hands. Great, I said. Yug, yug, yug, she said. | |
| ...our hunger blessed by sun and moon, a ring of dancers round the house where within the room is hid, where within the bed is undone, whereupon the hunger's joined, where within the one speaks himself expressions yet unknown. | ...our hunger blessed by sun and moon, a ring of dancers round the house where within the room is hid, where within the bed is undone, whereupon the hunger's joined, where within the hunger speaks precise instructions to the chosen ones who cannot leave each other. |
| "This Marriage" - commentary I |
Death of a Lady's Man | Stranger Music |
| THIS MARRIAGE is locked. It is difficult to enter. | THIS MARRIAGE is locked. It is impossible to enter. |
| "Master Song" | Songs Of Leonard Cohen | Stranger Music |
| I believe that you heard your master sing when I was sick in bed |
I believe that you heard your master sing while I lay sick in bed |
|
| I suppose that he told you everything that I keep locked away in my head |
I believe that he told you everything that I keep locked away in my head |
|
| Then he killed the lights in a lonely lane and an ape with angel glands |
Then he killed the lights in a lonely lane where an ape with angel glands |
|
| I'm sure that he told you everything I must keep locked away in my head |
I suppose that he told you everything that I keep locked away in my head |
| "A Migrating Dialogue" | Flowers for Hitler | Selected Poems 1956-1968 |
| Braun, Raubal and him (I have some experience in these matters), these three human, I can't get their nude and loving bodies out of my mind. |
Braun, Raubal and him Hitler and his ladies (I have some experience in these matters), these three human, I can't get their nude and loving bodies out of my mind. |
| "The News You Really Hate" | Death of a Lady's Man | Stranger Music |
| You fucking whore, I thought that you were really interested in music. I thought your heart was somewhat sorrowful. I might have gone with you under the desk and eaten a soft-boiled egg. | You fucking whore, I thought that you were really interested in music. I thought the heart was somewhat sorrowful. I might have gone with you under the desk and eaten a soft-boiled egg. |
| "The News You Really Hate" (commentary) | Death of a Lady's Man | Stranger Music |
| If we affirm human life, and do not habitually surrender ourselves to the many-sided argument, it is sometimes refreshing to embrace a position of uncompromising unforgiveness. | It is sometimes refreshing to embrace a position of uncompromising unforgiveness. |
| "O Darling (as We Used to Say)" entitled "The Escape" in Stranger Music |
The Energy of Slaves | Stranger Music |
| O darling (as we used to say) you are wide-hipped and kind I'm glad we ran off together |
O darling (as we used to say) you are wide-hipped and kind I'm glad we got over the wall of that loathsome Zen monastery |
| "One Of Us Cannot Be Wrong" | Songs Of Leonard Cohen | Stranger Music | Cohen Live |
| Then he locked himself in a library shelf with the details of our honeymoon and I hear from the nurse that he's gotten much worse and his practice is all in a ruin |
Then he locked himself in a library shelf with the details of our honeymoon and I hear from the nurse that he's gotten much worse and his practice is all in a ruin |
Then he locked himself in a library shelf with all of the details of our shabby honeymoon and I hear from his nurse that he's gotten much worse and his practice has fallen to ruin |
|
| I suppose that he froze when the wind took your clothes |
I suppose that he froze when the wind tore off your clothes |
I suppose that he froze when the wind tore off your clothes |
| "Owning Everything" | The Spice-Box of Earth Selected Poems 1956-1968 |
Stranger Music |
| [All verses eliminated except the last one.] |
| "Paper-Thin Hotel" | Death Of A Ladies' Man | Stranger Music |
| I listened to your kisses at the door I never heard the world so clear before |
I listened to your kisses at the door I never heard the world so close before |
|
| And I can't wait to tell you to your face And I can't wait for you to take my place You are The Naked Angel In My Heart You are The Woman With Her Legs Apart |
I can't wait to tell you to your face I can't wait for you to take my place You are The Naked Woman In My Heart You are The Angel With Her Legs Apart |
| "Seems So Long Ago, Nancy" entitled "Nancy" on Live Songs |
Songs From A Room; Stranger Music; Live At The Isle of Wight | Live Songs |
| It seems so long ago, Nancy was alone. | The morning had not come, Nancy was alone. | |
| It seems so long ago, Nancy was alone. | The morning would not come, Nancy was alone. | |
| And now you look around you. See her everywhere. | And now why don't you look around you. See her everywhere. | |
| Many use her body. Many comb her hair. | Many of you used her body. Many combed her hair. |
| "A Singer Must Die" | New Skin For The Old Ceremony | Stranger Music |
| And save me a place in the twelve dollar grave... |
| "Sisters Of Mercy" | Songs Of Leonard Cohen; The Best Of Leonard Cohen | Stranger Music | Cohen Live |
| Oh the Sisters of Mercy they are not departed or gone |
All the Sisters of Mercy they are not departed or gone |
All the Sisters of Mercy they are not departed or gone |
|
| Well, I've been where you're hanging I think I can see how you're pinned |
I've been where you're hanging I think I can see where you're pinned |
Well, I've been where you're hanging I think I can see how you're pinned |
|
| When you're not feeling holy your loneliness says that you've sinned |
When you're not feeling holy your loneliness tells you you've sinned |
When you're not feeling holy your loneliness tells you you've sinned |
| "So Long, Marianne" | Songs Of Leonard Cohen; The Best Of Leonard Cohen | Stranger Music | Field Commander Cohen | Live In London; Live In Dublin | Live At The Isle of Wight |
| Come over to the window, my little darling I'd like to try to read your palm I used to think I was some kind of gypsy boy before I let you take me home |
Come over to the window, my little darling I'd like to try to read your palm I used to think I was some kind of gypsy boy before I let you take me home |
Won't you come over to the window, my little darling I'd like to try to read your palm You know I used to think I was some kind of gypsy boy before I let you take me home |
Won't you come over to the window, my little darling I'd like to try to read your palm I used to think I was some kind of gypsy boy before I let you take me home |
Won't you come over to the window, my little darling I'd like to try to read your palm I used to think I was some kind of gypsy boy before I let you take me home |
|
| You know I love to live with you but you make me forget so very much |
You know I love to live with you but you make me forget so very much |
Well you know I love to live with you but you make me forget so very much |
You know that I really love to live with you but you make me forget so very much |
You know that I love to live with you but you make me forget so very much |
|
| We met when we were almost young deep in the green lilac park |
We met when we were almost young down by the green lilac park |
We met, when was it, we were almost young It was down by the the green lilac park |
(excluded) | We met when we were almost young deep in the green lilac park |
|
| Your letters they all say that you're beside me now Then why do I feel alone |
Your letters they all say that you're beside me now Then why do I feel so alone |
(excluded) | (excluded) | Your letters all say that you're beside me now Then why do I feel alone |
|
| You left when I told you I was curious I never said that I was brave |
You left when I told you I was curious I never said that I was brave |
You left when I told you I was curious Did I ever say that I was brave |
You left when I told you I was curious I never said that I was brave |
You left when I told you I was curious I never said that I was brave |
|
| O you are really such a pretty one I see you've gone and changed your name again And just when I climbed this whole mountainside to wash my eyelids in the rain |
O you are really such a pretty one I see you've gone and changed your name again And just when I climbed this whole mountainside to wash my eyelids in the rain |
O you are really such a perfect one I see you've gone and changed your name again And just when I climbed this whole mountainside to wash my lids in the rain |
O you are really such a pretty one I see you've gone and changed your name again Just when I climbed this whole mountainside to wash my eyelids in the rain |
O you are really such a pretty little one I see you've gone and changed your name again And just when I climbed this whole mountainside to wash my eyelids in the rain |
|
| (excluded) | Your eyes, I forget your eyes Your body is at home in every sea... |
(excluded) | (excluded) | (excluded) |
| "Story Of Isaac" | Songs From A Room | Live Songs | Stranger Music |
| So we started up the mountain; I was running, he was walking, and his axe was made of gold. |
So we started up the mountain; I was running, he was walking, and his axe was made of burning gold. |
So we started up the mountain; I was running, he was walking, and his axe was made of gold. |
|
| Then he threw the bottle over, Broke a minute later and he put his hand on mine. |
Then he threw the bottle over, Broke a minute later and he put his hand on mine. |
Then he threw the bottle over, I heard it break a minute later and he put his hand on mine. |
|
| And mercy on our uniform, man of peace or man of war-- the peacock spreads his fan! |
And mercy on our uniform, man of peace, man of war-- the peacock spreads his deadly fan! |
And mercy on our uniform, man of peace, man of war-- the peacock spreads his fan! |
| "The Stranger Song" | Songs Of Leonard Cohen | Stranger Music | Field Commander Cohen |
| When he speaks like this, you don't know what he's after. | When he speaks like this, you don't care what he's after. | When he speaks like this, you don't know what he's after. | |
| He was just some Joseph looking for a manger. | He was just some Joseph looking for a manger. | He was just some holy Joseph looking for a manger. | |
| And he wants to trade the game he plays for shelter. He wants to trade the game he knows for shelter. | And he wants to trade the game he plays for shelter. He wants to trade the game he knows for shelter. | And he wants to trade the game he plays for shelter. He wants to trade the song he sings for shelter. | |
| And while he talks his dreams to sleep, you notice there's a highway that is curling up like smoke above his shoulder. | And while he talks his dreams to sleep, you notice there's a highway that is curling up like smoke above his shoulder. | And while he talks his dreams to sleep, you notice there's a highway that's curling up like smoke above his shoulder. And now suddenly you look a little older, suddenly you feel a little older. |
| "Style" | Flowers for Hitler; Selected Poems 1956-1968 | Stranger Music |
| an external silence like the space between insects in a swarm electric unremembering and it is aimed at us (I am sleep and frightened) it makes toward me brothers |
an external silence like the space between insects in a swarm electric unremembering and it is aimed at us (I am sleep and frightened) it is upon us brothers |
| "Suzanne" | Songs Of Leonard Cohen; The Best Of Leonard Cohen; Stranger Music | Cohen Live; More Best Of Leonard Cohen | Live In London | Live At The Isle of Wight | Songs From The Road; Live In Dublin |
| And you want to travel with her you want to travel blind and you know that she can trust you for you've touched her perfect body with your mind. |
And you want to travel with her you want to travel blind and you know that she can trust you for you've touched her perfect body with your mind. |
And you want to travel with her you want to travel blind and you know she will find you for you've touched her perfect body with your mind. |
And you want to travel with her you want to travel blind and you know that she can trust you for you've touched her perfect body with your mind. |
And you want to travel with her you want to travel blind and you know you will trust her for she's touched your perfect body with her mind. |
|
| And you want to travel with him you want to travel blind and you think maybe you'll trust him for he's touched your perfect body with his mind |
And you want to travel with him you want to travel blind and you know he will find you for he's touched your perfect body with his mind |
And you want to travel with him you want to travel blind and you know you can trust him for he's touched your perfect body with his mind |
And you want to travel with him you want to travel blind and you think maybe you'll trust him for he's touched your perfect body with his mind |
And you want to travel with him you want to travel blind and you know you can trust him for he's touched your perfect body with his mind |
|
| And she shows you where to look among the garbage and the flowers |
And she shows you where to look amid the garbage and the flowers |
And she shows you where to look amid the garbage and the flowers |
And she shows you where to look amid the garbage and the flowers |
And she shows you where to look amid the garbage and the flowers |
|
| And you want to travel with her you want to travel blind and you know that you can trust her for she's touched your perfect body with her mind |
And you want to travel with her you want to travel blind and you know she will find you for she's touched your perfect body with her mind |
And you want to travel with her you want to travel blind and you know she will trust you for she's touched your perfect body with her mind |
And you want to travel with him you want to travel blind and you know she will find you for she's touched you perfect body with her mind |
And you want to travel with her you want to travel blind and you will find her for you've touched her perfect body with your mind |
| "Teachers" | Songs Of Leonard Cohen | Stranger Music |
| Dinner time a scalpel blade Lay beside my silver spoon |
Dinner time a scalpel blade Lay beside my spoon |
| "There Is A War" | New Skin For The Old Ceremony | Stranger Music | Cohen Live |
| Why don't you come on back to the war? That's right, get in it. | Why don't you come on back to the war? | ||
| "I guess you call this love. I call it Service." | "I guess you call this love. I call it Room Service." | "I guess you call this love. I call it Room Service." | |
| Why don't you come on back to the war? Before it hurts us. | Why don't you come on back to the war? | ||
| Pick up your tiny burden. | Take up your tiny burden. | ||
| Why don't you come on back to the war? Can't you hear me speaking? | Why don't you come on back to the war? It's just beginning. | Why don't you come on back to this war? |
| "There Was a Veil between Them" entitled "A Veil" in Stranger Music | The Energy of Slaves | Stranger Music |
| Thus they served their love as those old Spanish lovers served The One Who Does Not Manifest Himself |
Thus they served their love as those old Spanish masters served The One Who Does Not Manifest |
| "This Is the Only Poem" entitled "The Only Poem" in Stranger Music |
The Energy of Slaves | Stranger Music |
| Others seem to think the past can guide them My own music is not merely naked It is open-legged It is like a cunt and like a cunt must needs be houseproud |
(excluded) |
| "Tonight Will Be Fine" | Songs From A Room | Live Songs; Live At The Isle of Wight |
| But I know from your eyes and I know from your smile |
But I know from your eyes and I know from your pretty little smile |
|
| there's only one bed and there's only one I listen all night for your step on the stair. |
they've got only one bed and they've got only one prayer; and I listen all night for your step on the stair. |
|
| I've looked into the mirrors in numberless places,... | ||
| There's still one or two of us walking the street,... |
| "Tower Of Song" entitled "The Tower Of Song" in Stranger Music |
I'm Your Man; More Best Of Leonard Cohen; Live In London; Live In Dublin | Stranger Music |
| I see you standing on the other side. I don't know how the river got so wide. I loved you, baby, way back when -- |
I see you standing on the other side. I don't know how the river got so wide. I loved you, I loved you way back when -- |
| "Waiting For The Miracle" | The Future | Stranger Music |
| I know it must have hurt you, it must have hurt your pride to have to stand beneath my window with your bugle and your drum and me I'm up there waiting for the miracle to come. |
I know it must have hurt you, it must have hurt your pride to stand beneath my window with your bugle and your drum while I was waiting for the miracle to come. |
|
| I don't believe you'd like it. You wouldn't like it here. There ain't no entertainment and the judgements are severe. |
So you wouldn't like it, baby You wouldn't like it here. There not much entertainment and the judgements are severe. |
| "Welcome to These Lines" | The Energy of Slaves | Stranger Music |
| We are alone until the times change and those who have been betrayed come back like pilgrims to this moment when we did not yield and call the darkness poetry |
We are alone until the times change and those who have been betrayed come back like pilgrims to this moment when we did not yield when we steadfastly refused to call the darkness poetry |
| "Why Don't You Try" | New Skin For The Old Ceremony | Stranger Music | Field Commander Cohen |
| I know you're going to make, make it on your own. | I know that you can make it, you can make it on your own. | I know that you can make it, you can make it on your own. | |
| You see Jack and Jill, they're going to join their misery; I'm afraid it's time for everyone to pray. | Jack and Jill, they're going to join their misery; I'm afraid it's time for everyone to pray. | You see Jack and Jill, they're going to join their misery; I'm afraid it's time for everyone to pray. |
| "The Window" | Recent Songs; Field Commander Cohen | Stranger Music |
| the New Jerusalem glowing, why tarry all night in the ruin |
the code of solitude broken, why tarry confused and alone? |
| "You Know Who I Am" | Songs From A Room; Stranger Music | Live Songs | Live At The Isle of Wight |
| I cannot follow you my love You cannot follow me I am the distance you put between All of the moments that we will be |
I cannot follow you my love You cannot follow me I am the distance you put between All of the moments that we will be |
I cannot follow you my love You cannot follow me I am the one you put between All of the moments that we will be |
|
| (excluded) | I cannot follow you my love You cannot follow me I am not life I am not death I am not slave or free |
(excluded) |
| "You Live like a God" | Selected Poems 1956-1968 | Stranger Music |
| and reading the work like a Book of Proverbs no man will ever write for you, |
and reading the work like a Book of Proverbs no man will write for you, |
All works contained herein © by Leonard Cohen.
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Reprinted here with permission.
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