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LEONARD COHEN
DEAR HEATHER 1. Go No More A-Roving (3:40) 2. Because Of (3:00) 3. The Letters (4:44) 4. Undertow (4:20) 5. Morning Glory (3:28) 6. On That Day (2:04) 7. Villanelle for Our Time (5:55) 8. There For You (4:36) 9. Dear Heather (3:41) 10. Nightingale (2:27) 11. To A Teacher (2:32) 12. The Faith (4:17) Live Track: Tennessee Waltz (4:05) |
Explore the meaning behind the songs at
Old Ideas: Notes On Dear Heather |
1. Go No More A-Roving
Dedicated to Irving Layton. Words by Lord Byron (1788-1824), music by Leonard Cohen. So we’ll go no more a-roving
So late into the night, Though the heart be still as loving, And the moon be still as bright. For the sword outwears its sheath, And the soul outwears the breast, And the heart must pause to breathe, And love itself have rest. Though the night was made for loving, And the day returns too soon, Yet we’ll go no more a-roving By the light of the moon. Produced, arranged and performed by Sharon Robinson. Vocals: Leonard Cohen and Sharon Robinson. Tenor sax: Bob Sheppard. © 2004 Old Ideas LLC (BMI) Return to Top |
2. Because Of
Words and music by Leonard Cohen. Because of a few songs
Wherein I spoke of their mystery, Women have been Exceptionally kind to my old age. They make a secret place In their busy lives And they take me there. They become naked In their different ways and they say, "Look at me, Leonard Look at me one last time." Then they bend over the bed And cover me up Like a baby that is shivering. Produced by Leanne Ungar. Arranged and performed by Leonard Cohen. Background vocals arranged and sung by Anjani Thomas. © 2004 Old Ideas LLC (BMI) Return to Top |
3. The Letters
Words and music by Leonard Cohen and Sharon Robinson. You never liked to get The letters that I sent. But now you’ve got the gist Of what my letters meant. You’re reading them again, The ones you didn’t burn. You press them to your lips, My pages of concern. I said there’d been a flood. I said there’s nothing left. I hoped that you would come. I gave you my address. Your story was so long, The plot was so intense, It took you years to cross The lines of self-defense. The wounded forms appear: The loss, the full extent; And simple kindness here, The solitude of strength. You walk into my room. You stand there at my desk, Begin your letter to The one who’s coming next. Produced, arranged and performed by Sharon Robinson. Vocals: Leonard Cohen and Sharon Robinson. © 2004 Old Ideas LLC (BMI) and Sharon Robinson Songs (ASCAP) Return to Top |
4. Undertow
Words and music by Leonard Cohen. I set out one night When the tide was low There were signs in the sky But I did not know I’d be caught in the grip Of the undertow Ditched on a beach Where the sea hates to go With a child in my arms And a chill in my soul And my heart the shape Of a begging bowl Produced by Leanne Ungar. Arranged and performed by Leonard Cohen. Solo and background vocals: Anjani Thomas and Leonard Cohen. © 2004 Old Ideas LLC (BMI) Return to Top |
5. Morning Glory
Words and music by Leonard Cohen. No words this time? No words. No, there are times when nothing can be done. Not this time. Is it censorship? Is it censorship? No, it’s evaporation. No, it’s evaporation. Is this leading somewhere? Yes. We’re going down the lane. Is this going somewhere? Into the garden. Into the backyard. We’re walking down the driveway. Are we moving towards.... We’re in the backyard. ...some transcendental moment? It’s almost light. That’s right. That’s it. Are we moving towards some transcendental moment? That’s right. That’s it. Do you think you’ll be able to pull it off? Yes. Do you think you can pull it off? Yes, it might happen. I’m all ears. I’m all ears. Oh the morning glory! Produced by Leanne Ungar. Arranged and performed by Leonard Cohen. Background vocals arranged and sung by Anjani Thomas. © 2004 Old Ideas LLC (BMI) Return to Top |
6. On That Day
Listen to this song on NPR Words and music by Leonard Cohen and Anjani Thomas. Some people say It’s what we deserve For sins against g-d For crimes in the world I wouldn’t know I’m just holding the fort Since that day They wounded New York Some people say They hate us of old Our women unveiled Our slaves and our gold I wouldn’t know I’m just holding the fort But answer me this I won’t take you to court Did you go crazy Or did you report On that day On that day They wounded New York Produced by Anjani Thomas. Vocals and Jew’s harp: Leonard Cohen. Background vocals arranged and sung by Anjani Thomas. Piano: Anjani Thomas. Bass: Stan Sargent. © 2004 Old Ideas LLC (BMI) and Little Fountain Music (BMI) Return to Top |
7. Villanelle for Our Time
Words by Frank Scott (1899-1985), music by Leonard Cohen. From bitter searching of the heart, Quickened with passion and with pain We rise to play a greater part. This is the faith from which we start: Men shall know commonwealth again From bitter searching of the heart. We loved the easy and the smart, But now, with keener hand and brain, We rise to play a greater part. The lesser loyalties depart, And neither race nor creed remain From bitter searching of the heart. Not steering by the venal chart That tricked the mass for private gain, We rise to play a greater part. Reshaping narrow law and art Whose symbols are the millions slain, From bitter searching of the heart We rise to play a greater part. Produced by Leanne Ungar. Vocals: Leonard Cohen. Background vocals arranged and sung by Anjani Thomas. © 2004 Old Ideas LLC (BMI) and Estate of F.R. Scott Return to Top |
8. There For You
Words and music by Leonard Cohen and Sharon Robinson. When it all went down And the pain came through I get it now I was there for you Don’t ask me how I know it’s true I get it now I was there for you I make my plans Like I always do But when I look back I was there for you I walk the streets Like I used to do And I freeze with fear But I’m there for you I see my life In full review It was never me It was always you You sent me here You sent me there Breaking things I can’t repair Making objects Out of thoughts Making more By thinking not Eating food And drinking wine A body that I thought was mine Dressed as Arab Dressed as Jew O mask of iron I was there for you Moods of glory Moods so foul The world comes through A bloody towel And death is old But it’s always new I freeze with fear And I’m there for you I see it clear I always knew It was never me I was there for you I was there for you My darling one And by your law It all was done Produced, arranged and performed by Sharon Robinson. Vocals: Leonard Cohen. Background vocals: Sharon Robinson. © 2004 Old Ideas LLC (BMI) and Sharon Robinson Songs (ASCAP) Return to Top |
9. Dear Heather
Words and music by Leonard Cohen. Dear Heather Please walk by me again With a drink in your hand And your legs all white From the winter Produced by Leanne Ungar. Arranged and performed by Leonard Cohen. Background vocals arranged and sung by Anjani Thomas. Trumpet: Sarah Kramer. © 2004 Old Ideas LLC (BMI) Return to Top |
10. Nightingale
Dedicated to Carl Anderson (1945-2004). Words and music by Leonard Cohen and Anjani Thomas. I built my house beside the wood So I could hear you singing And it was sweet and it was good And love was all beginning Fare thee well my nightingale ‘Twas long ago I found you Now all your songs of beauty fail The forest closes ‘round you The sun goes down behind a veil ‘Tis now that you would call me So rest in peace my nightingale Beneath your branch of holly Fare thee well my nightingale I lived but to be near you Tho‘ you are singing somewhere still I can no longer hear you Produced by Anjani Thomas and Ed Sanders. Arranged by Anjani Thomas. Vocals, guitar and Jew’s harp: Leonard Cohen. Vocals and piano: Anjani Thomas. Bass: Stan Sargent. Drums: Johnny Friday. © 2004 Old Ideas LLC (BMI) and Little Fountain Music (BMI) Return to Top |
11. To A Teacher
Dedicated to A. M. Klein (1909-1972). Words and music by Leonard Cohen Hurt once and for all into silence. A long pain ending without a song to prove it. Who could stand beside you so close to Eden, When you glinted in every eye the held-high razor, shivering every ram and son? And now the silent loony bin, where The shadows live in the rafters like Day-weary bats, Until the turning mind, a radar signal, lures them to exaggerate Mountain-size on the white stone wall Your tiny limp. How can I leave you in such a house? Are there no more saints and wizards to praise their ways with pupils, No more evil to stun with the slap of a wet red tongue? Did you confuse the Messiah in a mirror and rest because he had finally come? Let me cry Help beside you, Teacher. I have entered under this dark roof As fearlessly as an honoured son Enters his father’s house. Produced by Leanne Ungar. Arranged and performed by Leonard Cohen. © 2004 Old Ideas LLC (BMI) Return to Top |
12. The Faith
(Based on a Québec folk song). Words and music by Leonard Cohen. The sea so deep and blind The sun, the wild regret The club, the wheel, the mind, O love, aren’t you tired yet? The club, the wheel, the mind O love, aren’t you tired yet? The blood, the soil, the faith These words you can’t forget Your vow, your holy place O love, aren’t you tired yet? The blood, the soil, the faith O love, aren’t you tired yet? A cross on every hill A star, a minaret So many graves to fill O love, aren’t you tired yet? So many graves to fill O love, aren’t you tired yet? The sea so deep and blind Where still the sun must set And time itself unwind O love, aren’t you tired yet? And time itself unwind O love, aren’t you tired yet? Produced by Leanne Ungar and Henry Lewy. Vocals: Leonard Cohen. Background vocals arranged and sung by Anjani Thomas. Violin: Raffi Hakopian. Oud: John Bilezikjian. Piano: Bill Ginn. Bass: Roscoe Beck. Flute: Paul Ostermayer. Guitar: Mitch Watkins. Accordion: Garth Hudson. String arrangements: Jeremy Lubbock. © 2004 Old Ideas LLC (BMI) Return to Top |
Live Track: Tennessee Waltz
Written by Redd Stewart and Pee Wee King. Additional verse: Leonard Cohen. I was dancing with my darlin’ to the Tennessee Waltz When an old friend I happened to see Introduced him to my loved one and while they were waltzing My friend stole my sweetheart from me. I remember the night and the Tennessee Waltz Now I know just how much I have lost Yes I lost my little darlin’ The night they were playing The beautiful Tennessee Waltz. She comes dancing through the darkness To the Tennessee Waltz And I feel like I’m falling apart And it’s stronger than drink And it’s deeper than sorrow This darkness she’s left in my heart. Produced by Leonard Cohen (1985). Vocals: Leonard Cohen. Piano, vocals: Anjani Thomas. Electric guitar, vocals: Mitch Watkins. Steel guitar, vocals: Ron Getman. Bass, vocals: John Crowder. Drums: Richard Crooks. © 1948 Sony / ATV Acuff Rose Music (BMI) Return to Top |