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Words by Larry "Ratso" Sloman "What is a saint? A saint is someone who has achieved a remote human possibility. It is impossible to say what that possibility is. I think that it has something to do with the energy of love. Contact with this energy results in the exercise of a kind of balance in the chaos of existence. A saint does not dissolve the chaos; if he did the world would have changed long ago. I do not think that a saint dissolves the chaos even for himself, for there is something arrogant and warlike in the notion of a man setting the universe in order. It is a kind of balance that is his glory. He rides the drifts like an escaped ski. His course is the caress of the hill. His track is a drawing of the snow in a moment of its particular arrangement with More... (Submit New Leonard Cohen Lyrics) (Submit New Leonard Cohen Lyrics) Review about Leonard Cohen Perception | Reviewer: Anonymous ------ About the song HALLELUJAH performed by Leonard Cohen In my most familiar version of this song, I see so much more than either clear blasphemy or lust. As someone who finds the Bible to be truly, the be all and end all of faith and literature, I do not take offence at this song at all. The imagery and metaphor are rich and the experience is true. It begins with David's temptation. David, whom the Lord called a man with a perfect heart before God. Human. All humanity fights with temptation. This is not something to judge or or find fault with. It is pure Biblical and actual fact. Cohen uses David's perfect heart to display all humanities' experience. What was David? He was a worshipper of God and A King. Being tied to a kitchen chair is not some s&m image. It is the breaking of the most lofty and bringing him down to the level of everyman. But the Samson image expresses how that same transgression creates a breach before God. You are not in the same position before God after a fall as you were at first. You lose your throne. You lose your glory. But that is okay, because the throne and the glory belong to God, and it is only in our weakness that we look up and find Him. That is the One to whom the cold broken Hallelujah is sent. It is the cry of repentance, not maybe at the sin as it could and should be, because we are ignorant of Him , but at the breach between you and your God. All humans were made to partake of the beauty of human love, but if we rest in it and don't put God's love first, our Hallelujah never reaches the Holy. It remains cold and broken. As for the verse about the dove, we have cleaned up religion to this place where it is unrecognizable. Have you ever read the Bible? It does not disguise the human life at all! It reveals it. Totally. Human love is supposed to be comparable to God's love. Human love is a metaphor for God's love. God wants to have a relationship so close to people that He is inside of them. Human love is able to reflect that. And it should, but it doesn't because we had, historically, made all sexuality to be secretive and shameful. Then we liberated ourselves and made every kind of pleasure both acceptable and sanctioned.. It isn't. Not by God. But there is still a love between a man and woman that God respects, because it echoes and resounds His love. There is no shame in Hallelujah for that. Each one emphasizes and clarifies the other. Our lives are are a musical composition of cycles and resonances of that same hallelujah, your relationship with God determines which hallelujah will triumph. Even Samson's being cut-off was not permanent. When his hair grew back, his power with God was restored, the original contract still stood. But, it cost him his life know it. It costs us our lives to obtain a Holy hallelujah. I think what we believe we know of Cohen himself, is that for him the Holy hallelujah was unreachable, and he contented himself so far with the broken, with the music and human love satisfying that cry. But there can never be a Holy Hallelujah without first a broken one. Most people don't want that. Often, and sadly they are the ones that present themselves as being so righteous. What the song means | Reviewer: Nathan ------ About the song HALLELUJAH performed by Leonard Cohen The song can mean much more than what happens to be in Leonard Cohen's mind. In fact, there can be more in LC's mind than even he knows is there. When you recite the stories of David, you can easily be saying more than you understand. When you say the word "hallelujah," the word resonates all the way back to the Psalms and then down through the Hallel prayers and African American worship and a thousand other places. LC doesn't control all of this. When we listen to this song, or sing it in our hearts, we are participating in something more, something that language gives us, and our own study and reflection and whatever prayer we are capable of as well. So, yes, there is a flat and empty and despairingly selfish way to receive this song. There are also many other ways. The song is not just one thing. And beware of charging blasphemy -- remember: that there is a blaze of light in every word. Do you know how the glory moves about? The broken and the holy hallelujahs are not completely distinct, at least not for us. There is a crack in everything--even us. And yet--that's how the light gets in. If you're worried about LC and blasphemy, then remember him when you pray. Dipping into the well of sadness and bringing up Joy | Reviewer: Carolyn ------ About artist/band Leonard Cohen The concert at Madison Square Garden was a gift beyond measure. L Cohen dips into the well of sadness that affects every mortal and he brings up buckets of Joy by virture of his generous and loving application of his amazing talent. Thank you for the miracles you craft for those of us for whom stammering is the native tongue. Thank you for bringing together the talented musicians that so richly augment your poetry, the result is an amazing grace. love is the only engine of survival | Reviewer: majid rezaee ------ About artist/band Leonard Cohen as my very dearest sir leonard cohen has mentioned in one of his songs which I listened to before.I have experienced in my life such love but unfortunatly ended in a...oh LOVE oh sometimes I have a pain in my heart....just hoping would love find all of us....with special regards your faithfully majid from Iran. Who's the "we"? | Reviewer: James Benn ------ About the song FIRST WE TAKE MANHATTAN performed by Leonard Cohen First We Take Manhattan In light of the comment by Laurie, I've been looking at the lyrics of Leonard Cohen's famous song 'First We Take Manhattan', and it is clearly an anthem to Jewish supremacism. It was first recorded in spring 1986 by Jennifer Warnes, so I assume was written in the preceding year. The lyrics are fairly clear: 1. It begins with a recording of a German radio news broadcast on an attack on a German-Arab Society in Berlin. 2. "They sentenced me to twenty years of boredom For trying to change the system from within" - this refers to Jonathan Pollard, who had been arrested (in November 1985) but not yet sentenced, so Cohen was just guessing at twenty years (Pollard in fact received life). 3. "I'm guided by a signal in the heavens I'm guided by this birthmark on my skin" - 'birthmark' is obviously a concentration camp tattoo. 4. "I'm guided by the beauty of our weapons" - Israeli weapons. 5. "I'd really like to live beside you, baby I love your body and your spirit and your clothes" - the song is directed to the United States, and refers to the comfort of Jews living in the United States. 6. "But you see that line there moving through the station? I told you, I told you, told you, I was one of those" - Jews can never live in true comfort in the United States, as they are "that line there moving through the station", i. e., a line boarding the trains for the concentration camps. 7. "Ah you loved me as a loser, but now you're worried that I just might win" - no comment needed. 8. "You know the way to stop me, but you don't have the discipline" - wow! spot on! 9. "And I thank you for those items that you sent me The monkey and the plywood violin I practiced every night, now I'm ready" - a reference to the Jewish entertainment/media monopoly, and its use for Jewish supremacist goals. 10. "Well it's Father's Day and everybody's wounded" - obscure, but the song may refer to Father's Day, 1985, in the middle of the hijacking of TWA Flight 847 (U.S. Navy diver Robert Stethem was killed the day before Father's Day 1985, and the other passengers were still in hijacker custody on Father's Day). 11. "First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin" - Manhattan has already been taken with the complete Jewish control over American politics and media, and I can only conclude that "take Berlin" refers to the eventual Israeli nuclear attack on Europe - don't scoff, it has already been threatened - as part of the uncompleted revenge for the Jewish holocaust. Source: xymphora.blogspot.com/2009/10/first-we-take-manhattan.html Every time..... | Reviewer: Brian Rooney ------ About the song SUZANNE performed by Leonard Cohen This song invariably takes be back to the late sixties when I was 18. I had a summer job at the Honey Harbour resort in northern Ontario (very much like the resort in the movie “Dirty Dancing”). The staff cabins were far removed from the main resort. Many evenings as most were drifting off to sleep, some one would play Suzanne on their record player. To this day this evocative tune allows me to visualize the setting of the cabins on the hillside, the dream like music sifting the trees. Great stuff. Thanks Leonard. bliss | Reviewer: Bill Nichols ------ About the song SUZANNE performed by Leonard Cohen I listened to the song in two versions on YouTube just now and reread the lyrics and the review above. The odd, most moving thing was I burst into tears on hearing the song this time. Beyond reason, yes. Far out to sea in that ocean of love that the song alludes to, not romantic love in the usual sense but a serene, engulfing love of all that is and might be, an embrace of the garbage and the flowers, the lean outward toward love, forever, the prow of the great ship as Jesus walks upon the water or watches from his lonely wooden tower. Cohen seemed to channel the wisdom of his later years already in this song; there is none of the cute cleverness of a beginner performer strutting his stuff; the parallels with Dylan are all apt. they both sang from their heart in ways that defy reason and produce splendor and do so like that mythic troubador of love, Orpheus who descended yet could not quite trust the one who touched his perfect body and held the mirror; he had to look and it all shattered. cohen never looks (back?) but moves blindly on and in doing so sees more than we can hope to see with eyes and reason and the powers that sustain us for he has seen that even though he has no love to give her he he is hers for he has been her lover, forever.... could it be said, or sung, any better? lisbon 2009 | Reviewer: margaret davies ------ About artist/band Leonard Cohen My husband introduced me to you and your music and poetry only 3 months ago, i have siince bought your Book of longing the dvd Live lin London.How i would love yo shake your hand ,maybe your next European tour will bring you to the Algarve where we live. Happy birthday Leonard ,may we have many more years of your beautiful work using the name in vain | Reviewer: nikie ------ About the song HALLELUJAH performed by Leonard Cohen "The song sounds religious, ‘the melody is almost liturgical and conjures up religious feelings’ said one commentator. This may well be but the Lord’s name, Jehovah or Jah, must not be said in vain. Usage in this pop record is not appropriate. Many use it at a funeral but it is not relevant there either. Doing so would be equal to blasphemy." in the very last verse he says '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?' so.. what's it to you if it's blasphemous? it's about the bitterness of love, a human experience - it's not all candy and flowers. A 5 Star Gem | Reviewer: keith cairns ------ About the song LOVE ITSELF performed by Leonard Cohen I'm a late convert to Leonard Cohen - I always had a cynical view that his music was "slit your wrist " music- until I saw him live at the O2 in Dublin in July. What a superb performance! I became a total convert and have been playing his music ever since. He has so many wonderful songs - a poet who sings really- but Love Itself brings tears to my eyes- what a song- if you have a soul this song will open it- fantastic! This version I like, the other version I have | Reviewer: Vanilla Rose ------ About the song HALLELUJAH performed by Leonard Cohen I bought a copy of a double CD called "The Essential Leonard Cohen" or something similar. It does indeed contain all the songs I was looking for, but the version of "Hallelujah" is not the one quoted here (Marble Arch/Holy Dove/outdrew you). It is the other one, mentioned in one of the reviews. And I prefer the version I have not got! Thank goodness it has the version of "I'm Your Man" that is familiar to me! I choreographed a burlesque routine to it. abjection | Reviewer: Martimr1 ------ About the song HALLELUJAH performed by Leonard Cohen First, since a couple of folks above don't seem to realize it, L. Cohen's the author as well as the original performer. There are many covers. I think this song is about the despair that we ultimately feel at the failure of sex, love, and prayer to ever connect us with anyone or anything else. We die lonely, disappointed, bitter, and broken, but still filled with awe. Is that holy? It's human. I am fairly certain there is no God, but if there were, and He put us in this state, he certainly doesn't deserve to have his name reverenced. Just saw the video of Cohen performing this in London. What a beautiful ruin of a man he has become. He's the embodiment of his own song. Hallelujah | Reviewer: Anonymous ------ About the song HALLELUJAH performed by Leonard Cohen For those who seek God, He can and will be found where you least expect. I can see the religious reference (David and Samson); but can also understand the cry to be answered by God. As such I have my own interpretation of broken hallelujah. I find no blasphemy, just the wail of sorrow. Dance Me To The End Of Love | Reviewer: Jennifer Evans ------ About artist/band Leonard Cohen It is only now at aged 63 that I have stumbled upon Leonard Cohen's music and lyrics from his album London Live. Since buying the album I have listened repeatedly to it and I have deep regrets that I have never immersed myself in his lyrics before. However in the hindsight of the wisdom of my own years, this was the right time for me to absorb them as they complete my own life's experiences and philosophies and I found myself echoing and responding like for like. His lyrics speak to me of his search for the heart of the matter, the truth that lies behind the lies. His utter charisma of spirit is breathtaking. His pure unaldulterated eroticism, so beautifully crafted, raises sex to a spiritual level and seems to elevate the female to the status of goddess. He has the ability to 'see' what others only glimpse and is able to literate what he observes whilst others who might 'feel'and echo his profundities in their psyche, could never craft such deep thoughts and emotions into words and music as he does. He strikes a chord in the heart. He opens up the searching mind and reveals the vista that has been hidden by the mist. He stirs the longing to touch and know God. God bless you Leonard and thank you for enriching so many lives. imho | Reviewer: Anonymous ------ About the song SUZANNE performed by Leonard Cohen this is simply what poetry is supposed to be. so simple and at the same time so complex you just want to swim in it. it is ineffably beautiful. so beautiful that, should you ever tire of it, it just might be time to go. Merryweather Post Pavilion-May 11th, 2009 | Reviewer: Allyson MacIntosh ------ About artist/band Leonard Cohen Dear Mr. Leonard Cohen, I had the privilege of coming alone and sitting up front-mid row last night- and being absolutely mesmerised by your concert- you were stupendous. It was an early birthday present to myself; of which I will keep close to my heart; always. Your very words speak volumes to me- it was a spiritual journey if you will. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving so completely of yourself. I wish you life's many blessings, and continue to sing your praises with that 'golden voice'.... Sincerely Yours, Allyson MacIntosh A broader sense of Hallelujah | Reviewer: Cyril E. Caster ------ About the song HALLELUJAH performed by Leonard Cohen Leonard's own explanation is the lyrics themselves, but he has also interviewed on the subject. Hallelujah (the word) is a cry from the soul. It has been appropriated by religion, but LC explains poetically that the soul has other non-religious thing to scream about. glory of sex | Reviewer: analogue ------ About the song HALLELUJAH performed by Leonard Cohen ContraDiction | 12/21/08 While finding the above's review interesting, I disagree on one essential aspect. The song, in my view, is about sexual love, and particularly orgasm, being a religious experience, rather than the glories of music. That's what the lyrics say to me. Hallelujah | Reviewer: Mark ------ About the song HALLELUJAH performed by Leonard Cohen These are the lyrics that Cohen has sung on records and cd's, though not all at the same time and, therefore, not in this order. He once said that it took him 5 years to finish the song, (at one time banging his head on the floor in frustration). You can see why he could have 80 lyrics for this song, the structure is such that it lends itself to innumerable combinations and as long as the last word in the third line ends in the word "you" and the word before that has the oo sound, "you" are halfway there. It could lend itself to an easy parody...I wonder why I haven't heard that yet... C Am Baby, I've been here before. C Am I know this room, I've walked this floor. F G C G I used to live alone before I knew you. C F G Yeah I've seen your flag on the marble arch, Am F But listen, love is not some kind of victory march, G E Am No it's a cold and it's a very broken Hallelujah. F Am F C G Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah There was a time you let me know What's really going on below, Ah but now you never show it to me, do you? Yeah but I remember, yeah when I moved in you, And the holy dove, she was moving too, Yes every single breath that we drew was Hallelujah. Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah. Maybe there's a God above, As for me, all I've ever seemed to learn from love Is how to shoot at someone who outdrew you. Yeah but it's not a complaint that you hear tonight, It's not the laughter of someone who claims to have seen the light No it's a cold and it's a very lonely Hallelujah. Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah. 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. Yeah even tough it all went wrong I'll stand right here before the Lord of Song With nothing on my lips but Hallelujah. Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah. 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? It goes like this The fourth, the fifth The minor fall, the major lift The baffled king composing Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Your faith was strong but you needed proof You saw her bathing on the roof Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you She tied you To a kitchen chair She broke your throne, and she cut your hair And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah 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? There's a blaze of light In every word It doesn't matter which you heard The holy or the broken Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah eighties night watch | Reviewer: chris searle ------ About the song TAKE THIS WALTZ performed by Leonard Cohen I first heard this in a eighties TV video abut LC comeback .The video was made in Greece where LC had a home at that time .Its magical muic and lyrics especially this track inspired me to revisit the music of LC .The vidoes also had live fotage of LC and his two piece girl backing signers and Halleleuyah .If anyone know this vidoe plaese let me know where i can obtain a copy . You could review the artist/band Leonard Cohen in Biography page You could review Leonard Cohen album by visiting Albums page and selecting an album You could review Leonard Cohen song by clicking the song which you like  Download "Leonard Cohen" Music | |
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