I've got something from the late Leonard Cohen today. I'm a long-time admirer of his work, and I'd stupidly all but forgotten this, which is 'Anthem'. It was written and performed long ago before anyone dreamed of this pandemic but it has some relevance to our current situation. There is a beautiful video available on YouTube too but attempts to give the link have failed. I do highly recommend it though if you find these words significant. You can find it as 'Leonard Cohen - Anthem (w/lyrics) London 2008' It's an absolutely beautiful video in its own right but also make Cohen's words come to life in a very meaningful way.
"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
Yeah 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 (ring the bells) that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything (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…"
Do have a good day today and continue to stay safe.
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Hi Callendersgal. Thank you for sharing the Leonard Cohen video. While I do enjoy listening to music, vocal and instrumental, I don't necessarily follow any particular musician, it's often just the individual songs that I like. If that makes sense.
I've read so many explanations bobbybobb, from the sensible to the bizarre, but I think the one that resonates with me is that he's pointing out that nothing is perfect. There is always a flaw, or crack, but it's that very crack which allows light to shine through the flaw. I found it interesting that at the start of the 2008 performance in London, Cohen himself references a 'time of world turbulence' and some of the lines definitely point to that. I love it anyway. And all Cohen's work. 😃
Thank you, Lovely I really liked the video too. I found this music took some getting used to My favourite is so long marianne. I didn’t like that to start with but now I love it 🙂
I didn't like So Long Marianne either until I understood its back story, and then it made more sense to me. My absolute favourite is 'You want it darker?" It's bleak but somehow hits the spot!
I like a few of his songs but Hallelujah is most definitely my favourite, or perhaps it's just that it now the most played and so enters our subconscious as being more important.
Thanks for that - they are wise words and true ones!! Just watched the video thanks for pointing us to that as it's beautifully done. I think sat here, blue no stunning blue sky, sun shining, my garden buzzing with flowers and bees, it's like there is nothing wrong in the world, and yet look what's going on out there?! - seems all natural life continues on in its beautiful and designed way, so surely there is a happy purpose for us humans too??
We must be entirely on the same wavelength! Yesterday we talked about our love of history and today you're talking about the love of my life Leonard Cohen.
Oh gosh Jeanjeannie, thanks so much for finding a link that worked! I was so fed up this morning as every one I tried, failed. So much easier to have a link. And yes! We're practically twins😁. (Well we do at least seem to have very similar interests). I was a bit distraught to see one comment on YouTube from what was an obvious youngster who said that Leonard Cohen 'seemed like a very nice old man'. It made me feel very old! 🤣🤣 He's absolutely the love of my life too and the last thing I'd ever say about him is that he seems like a nice old man'! I see him quite differently 😊
I would have loved to have met him! Would like to have gone to Hydra to see if the magic is still there. Have you read the letter he sent to Marriane, just before she died, saying he'd be following her soon? I love all his songs, but especially Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye.
Hi Hidden
That's very relevant for what's going on at present. The words rang very true and were beautiful.
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Quotation for Saturday 2nd May 2020