Now the Swan it floated on the English river Ah the Rose of High Romance it opened wide A sun tanned woman yearned me through the summer and the judges watched us from the other side I told my mother "Mother I must leave you preserve my room but do not shed a tear Should rumour of a shabby ending reach you it was half my fault and half the atmosphere"
But the Rose I sickened with a scarlet fever and the Swan I tempted with a sense of shame She said at last I was her finest lover and if she withered I would be to blame
The judges said you missed it by a fraction rise up and brace your troops for the attack Ah the dreamers ride against the men of action Oh see the men of action falling back
But I lingered on her thighs a fatal moment I kissed her lips as though I thirsted still My falsity had stung me like a hornet The poison sank and it paralysed my will
I could not move to warn all the younger soldiers that they had been deserted from above So on battlefields from here to Barcelona I'm listed with the enemies of love
And long ago she said "I must be leaving, Ah but keep my body here to lie upon You can move it up and down and when I'm sleeping Run some wire through that Rose and wind the Swan"
So daily I renew my idle duty I touch her here and there -- I know my place I kiss her open mouth and I praise her beauty and people call me traitor to my face ------------------
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 8:24 pm Posts: 3786 Location: Perú Gender: Male
A bunch of lonesome and very quarrelsome heroes were smoking out along the open road; the night was very dark and thick between them, each man beneath his ordinary load. "I'd like to tell my story," said one of them so young and bold, "I'd like to tell my story, before I turn into gold." But no one really could hear him, the night so dark and thick and green; well I guess that these heroes must always live there where you and I have only been. Put out your cigarette, my love, you've been alone too long; and some of us are very hungry now to hear what it is you've done that was so wrong.
I sing this for the crickets, I sing this for the army, I sing this for your children and for all who do not need me. "I'd like to tell my story," said one of them so bold, "Oh yes, I'd like to tell my story 'cause you know I feel I'm turning into gold."
_________________ Sing yourself a melody, cry a tear of joy.
Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2004 1:03 am Posts: 24177 Location: Australia
Now the flames they followed Joan of Arc as she came riding through the dark; no moon to keep her armour bright, no man to get her through this very smoky night. She said, "I'm tired of the war, I want the kind of work I had before, a wedding dress or something white to wear upon my swollen appetite."
Well, I'm glad to hear you talk this way, you know I've watched you riding every day and something in me yearns to win such a cold and lonesome heroine. "And who are you?" she sternly spoke to the one beneath the smoke. "Why, I'm fire," he replied, "And I love your solitude, I love your pride."
"Then fire, make your body cold, I'm going to give you mine to hold," saying this she climbed inside to be his one, to be his only bride. 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.
It was deep into his fiery heart he took the dust of Joan of Arc, and then she clearly understood if he was fire, oh then she must be wood. I saw her wince, I saw her cry, I saw the glory in her eye. Myself I long for love and light, but must it come so cruel, and oh so bright?
_________________ Oh, the flowers of indulgence and the weeds of yesteryear, Like criminals, they have choked the breath of conscience and good cheer. The sun beat down upon the steps of time to light the way To ease the pain of idleness and the memory of decay.
The birds they sang at the break of day Start again I heard them say Don't dwell on what has passed away or what is yet to be. Ah the wars they will be fought again The holy dove She will be caught again bought and sold and bought again the dove is never free.
Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack in everything That's how the light gets in.
We asked for signs the signs were sent: the birth betrayed the marriage spent Yeah the widowhood of every government signs for all to see.
I can't run no more with that lawless crowd while the killers in high places say their prayers out loud. But they've summoned, they've summoned up a thundercloud and they're going to hear from me.
Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack in everything That's how the light gets in.
You can add up the parts but you won't have the sum You can strike up the march, there is no drum Every heart, every heart to love will come but like a refugee.
Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack, a crack in everything That's how the light gets in.
Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack, a crack in everything That's how the light gets in. That's how the light gets in. That's how the light gets in.
Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2004 1:03 am Posts: 24177 Location: Australia
Many men have loved the bells you fastened to the rein, and everyone who wanted you they found what they will always want again. Your beauty lost to you yourself just as it was lost to them. Oh take this longing from my tongue, whatever useless things these hands have done. Let me see your beauty broken down like you would do for one you love.
Your body like a searchlight my poverty revealed, I would like to try your charity until you cry, "Now you must try my greed." And everything depends upon how near you sleep to me
Just take this longing from my tongue all the lonely things my hands have done. Let me see your beauty broken down like you would do for one your love.
Hungry as an archway through which the troops have passed, I stand in ruins behind you, with your winter clothes, your broken sandal straps. I love to see you naked over there especially from the back.
Oh take this longing from my tongue, all the useless things my hands have done, untie for me your hired blue gown, like you would do for one that you love.
You're faithful to the better man, I'm afraid that he left. So let me judge your love affair in this very room where I have sentenced mine to death. I'll even wear these old laurel leaves that he's shaken from his head.
Just take this longing from my tongue, all the useless things my hands have done, let me see your beauty broken down, like you would do for one you love.
Like you would do for one you love.
_________________ Oh, the flowers of indulgence and the weeds of yesteryear, Like criminals, they have choked the breath of conscience and good cheer. The sun beat down upon the steps of time to light the way To ease the pain of idleness and the memory of decay.
If it be your will That I speak no more And my voice be still As it was before I will speak no more I shall abide until I am spoken for If it be your will If it be your will That a voice be true From this broken hill I will sing to you From this broken hill All your praises they shall ring If it be your will To let me sing From this broken hill All your praises they shall ring If it be your will To let me sing
If it be your will If there is a choice Let the rivers fill Let the hills rejoice Let your mercy spill On all these burning hearts in hell If it be your will To make us well
And draw us near And bind us tight All your children here In their rags of light In our rags of light All dressed to kill And end this night If it be your will
Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2004 1:03 am Posts: 24177 Location: Australia
oh my
i love leonard, and i've never before even conceptualised the idea of seeing him live. that would be the living end!
come to australia!!!!!
_________________ Oh, the flowers of indulgence and the weeds of yesteryear, Like criminals, they have choked the breath of conscience and good cheer. The sun beat down upon the steps of time to light the way To ease the pain of idleness and the memory of decay.
Joined: Mon Nov 22, 2004 10:57 am Posts: 756 Location: Melbourne
1) Bird on a Wire 2) Master Song 3) Sisters of Mercy 4) Hallelujah 5) Famous Blue Raincoat 6) Joan of Arc 7) Hey, Thats No Way to Say Goodbye 8) The Future 9) So Long, Marianne 10) First We Take Manhattan
That's how I'd introduce someone to Cohen, although most are on his Greatest Hits.
_________________ lost on a road he knew by heart
its like a book he read in his sleep
Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2004 1:03 am Posts: 24177 Location: Australia
yeah i agree with the last 2 posts. or at least, 1st disc of the essential
_________________ Oh, the flowers of indulgence and the weeds of yesteryear, Like criminals, they have choked the breath of conscience and good cheer. The sun beat down upon the steps of time to light the way To ease the pain of idleness and the memory of decay.
i never got into this guy. i listened to songs of leonard cohen and songs of love and hate a few times but i was just fighting boredom every time. you guys should check out townes van zandt if you already haven't.
_________________ Tom Waits: Well... we could go to Taco Bell if that's more your style.
Iggy Pop: What are you saying, man? You saying I'm like a Taco Bell kind of guy?
Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2004 1:03 am Posts: 24177 Location: Australia
BlueNote wrote:
i never got into this guy. i listened to songs of leonard cohen and songs of love and hate a few times but i was just fighting boredom every time. you guys should check out townes van zandt if you already haven't.
townes is really great, but i far prefer cohen.
_________________ Oh, the flowers of indulgence and the weeds of yesteryear, Like criminals, they have choked the breath of conscience and good cheer. The sun beat down upon the steps of time to light the way To ease the pain of idleness and the memory of decay.
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 5:24 am Posts: 37009 Location: In Missouri, they would (will) not let me be Gender: Female
vacatetheword wrote:
BlueNote wrote:
i never got into this guy. i listened to songs of leonard cohen and songs of love and hate a few times but i was just fighting boredom every time. you guys should check out townes van zandt if you already haven't.
townes is really great, but i far prefer cohen.
Musically I usually prefer Townes.
_________________ Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose Nothin' ain't worth nothin', but it's free
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