Anthem
by Leonard Cohen
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.
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 …
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.
Nicely presented Lisa. These words have inspired me over many years and continue as a reminder of the power of poetry and writing over all other things.
Leonard Cohen will live on as any master must.
Cheers B
He was truly a master. I just heard an interview with him in the last few months. Oh, that voice…
So true. My partner and I were fortunate to see two of his concerts here is Aus., and one of those times was coincided with the deaths of 175 people in horrific Victorian bushfires. He picked up the moment for the audience and carried us all to a respectful and thoughtful place.
He will truly be missed as an inspirational thinker.B
Wow, what an awesome responsibility to entertain in light of such a horrific event. Thank you for sharing that. I wish I had seen him in concert. My experience of that ilk was on September 12th, 2001 seeing and getting to meet Lucinda Williams in Burlington, Vermont. She wanted to cancel and then decided she just to sing and give people a reprieve from watching the news of the terrorist attack in NYC and in Washington, DC.