Leonard Cohen

[orthodoc]

I've been working on another poem, and tonight came across Leonard Cohen's 'A Thousand Kisses Deep'. My poem is moot.

I grew up listening to/aware of Cohen's 'Suzanne', but I haven't encountered his other work until recently. One of my favorite songs, 'Dance Me to the End of Love', is his. What do others here think of his work? Does anyone have a favorite poem or song? Or does anyone have a visceral negative reaction to his work?

Like so many Canadians, he emigrated to the US to gain fame (and income). Nevertheless, Canadians claim him as their own. Again, any thoughts?

[BigV]

Twil took me to see him last year, definitely a landmark show. See him perform in person if at all possible.

"Hallelujah" is epic.

[DanaC]

I adore Cohen. One of the best poets of the last century imo.

Listen to Joan of Arc - especially the version he did with Jennifer Warnes. It takes the form of a duet between Joan and the Fire. It's beautiful.



On the same album, The Partisan is just gorgeous.

The Partisan.
When they poured across the border
I was cautioned to surrender,
this I could not do;
I took my gun and vanished.
I have changed my name so often,
I've lost my wife and children
but I have many friends,
and some of them are with me.

An old woman gave us shelter,
kept us hidden in the garret,
then the soldiers came;
she died without a whisper.

There were three of us this morning
I'm the only one this evening
but I must go on;
the frontiers are my prison.

Oh, the wind, the wind is blowing,
through the graves the wind is blowing,
freedom soon will come;
then we'll come from the shadows.

Les Allemands e'taient chez moi, (The Germans were at my home)
ils me dirent, "Signe toi," (They said, "Sign yourself,")
mais je n'ai pas peur; (But I am not afraid)
j'ai repris mon arme. (I have retaken my weapon.)

J'ai change' cent fois de nom, (I have changed names a hundred times)
j'ai perdu femme et enfants (I have lost wife and children)
mais j'ai tant d'amis; (But I have so many friends)
j'ai la France entie`re. (I have all of France)

Un vieil homme dans un grenier (An old man, in an attic)
pour la nuit nous a cache', (Hid us for the night)
les Allemands l'ont pris; (The Germans captured him)
il est mort sans surprise. (He died without surprise.)

Oh, the wind, the wind is blowing,
through the graves the wind is blowing,
freedom soon will come;
then we'll come from the shadows.

Both of those I love because they sound so wonderful. But for sheer poetry: Hallelujah, Suzanne, Bird on a Wire, Famous Blue Raincoat, Everybody Knows, and pretty much every track on the New Skin for the Old Ceremony album. Field Commander Cohen, Chelsea Hotel, A Singer Must Die and There is a War in particular. But every track is awesome. Some of his finest writing.

[Sundae]

I know nothing of him, except someone once said he sounded like a hoover.
Following Dana's link I think that was accurate.

Still, the written lyrics read very well.
Greatest poet though? No. Not in my opinion.

[DanaC]

Not the greatest poet - 'One of the best poets'.


:p

[Sundae]

You're right, my bad. I did think you'd written that, I wasn't trying to inflate your claim.
Same applies though

[orthodoc]

Thank you for those videos, Dana ... I haven't had a chance to listen until now. I agree, I think Cohen is one of the best poets of the 20th century.

Apparently he's written more than 30 verses to 'A Thousand Kisses Deep'. Only a few were recorded. He spent years in a Buddhist monastery and was ordained a monk, although he also apparently observes his Jewish faith.

And 'Hallelujah' is indeed epic. I like Jeff Buckley's version, although I haven't heard it sung by Cohen.

[footfootfoot]

You can be a Buddhist and still observe other faiths. The question is can you be a Christian and also be a Buddhist?

Yeah, a thousand kisses deep is great.

[orthodoc]

Bird on the Wire ... listening to that tonight, the Katey Sagal & The Forest Rangers version. I think she steals this song from Cohen.

Also listening to 'I'm Your Man'. Such genius, such tragedy.