Jennifer Warnes & Leonard Cohen - Joan of Arc

[Caritos1957]

The words of this song go deep and far beyond what is on the surface. Haunting and deep. One of the poets of this generation.

[jancsipl]

The song ,the choir is beautiful touches the soul...

[JoanDArc77]

Une de toute beauté chanson.



[twoZJs]

The first time I heard this was PBS "Austin City Limits" in the late '80s. Loving them ever since. Beautiful voices. 072611

[davehagerty100]

Not Jennifer Warnes

[RikBison]

FAMOUS E! PLEAS!

[mandyevans]

Thank you for posting this reminder. The beautiful essence of compassion and courage that brings me to tears -- in awe, with chills.

[rocktenniscat]

Such a haunting song. Gorgeous. 

[saccyind]

JESUS BLESS SAINT JOAN

[LeshaAnn]

THat's JULIE CHRISTENESEN, not Jennifer "Jesus" Warnes!!

[SeptemberStarz]

This is beautiful... I am tearing up...

[Zooloor]

A great live version of a truly divine song.

[4Pequeno]

This has been a favorite. I bought this recording on cassette and CD! They mesh their talents, their richly textured voices so exceptionally well. This is a fine version I had not heard. Thanks!

[weepingboy]

Only Leonard Cohen can write such beauty with such passion....Now, the flames they follow Joan of Arc as she came riding through the dark. No moon to keep her armour bright and no man to get through this dark, this very smokey night. She said, "I'm tired of the war". " I want the kind of work I has before with a weddding dress, something White to wear upon my swallen appetite......Now then fire make your body cold...I'm give you mine to hold........incredible lyrics

[Pattipu]

This makes me cry every time !!!

[LindaLodi]

Sorry, I love the Jennifer Warnes version from FBR, but this is Julie Christensen from Cohen Lilve - both versions are wonderful, esp. Jennifer from FBR.

[patfealy]

The Best song Lenard Cohen ever wrote was "the song of Bernadette" I read the Novel and went to Lourdes and he nailed it.

[giveabighand]

Did you know that Mark Twain wrote a biography of Joan of Arc? He researched it for 8 years in France and felt it was one of his greatest works - very forgotten now. Find a copy for $6 at Amazon.

[judyesther]

Great song.

Best wishes,

Judyesther

[PhilippineJeann]

Beautiful video teh song lovely ******

jeann

[ArthurMcBride]

Is it a song to anticipate the renaissance or is it a goodbye to the middle ages?

[ArthurMcBride]

One of the most beautiful versions of one of the most beautiful songs ever written. Which one is more beautiful, this song or Famous Blue Raincoat?

I think Joan of Arc signaled what was to come with the Renaissance, and Leonard saw this

[soledemina1]

whatever the female singer... it's beautiful ...I just enjoy it...but tks to all those giving information. It's wonderful to learn more and more about LC's performances (and his side-singers)..

[ontje55]

this is not jennifer warnes indeed, but julie christensen. recorded at o'keefe center, toronto, june 17, 1993

[3121babe]

This is not Jennifer Warnes. It's either Perla Batalla or Julie Christensen who sang with LC on the I'm Your Man tour.

[canadianmunkey]

I have never heard this performance before, just glorious! They both have such unique and amazing voices..together is almost to much.

[GreatGrumbledook]

@mmedefarge: ...by popular demand and to flatter France; if the church would have considered her to be a saint she would have either be not condemned to death by a church court or made a saint immediately after her rehabilitation.

[GreatGrumbledook]

Or the earl of Dunois, the Bastard of Orléans:

The Council were divided in opinion, and no one knew which course to pursue, when Jeanne suddenly arrived, and appeared in the Council. "Noble Dauphin," she said, "order your people to come and besiege the town of Troyes, and lose no more time in such long councils. In God's Name, before three days are gone, I will bring you into this town by favor or force, and greatly will the false Burgundy be astounded."

[GreatGrumbledook]

"Then Jeanne, putting herself at the head of the army, had the tents placed right against the trenches of the town, and executed many marvelous maneuvers which had not been thought of by two or three accomplished generals working together. And so well did she work during the night, that, the next day, the Bishop and the citizens came all trembling and quaking to place their submission in the King's hands."

[phfrankh]

The best ,thankh-you for posting Gree47:

[a1000kissesdeep]

This is live version with Julie Christensen - not the studio version with Jennifer Warnes!

[54spiritedwill54]

Great song, Beautiful

[Timmybear]

Fair enough. To me, Jeanne is a secular person, so God and Jesus do not figure into my estimation of her - for that matter, nor do those figures enter into ANY analysis I make.

[UnfamiliarPlace]

Which is interesting, because extant or not, they have greatly influenced the world. You can't account for Jeanne without assuming a belief in those figures, whether or not they exist. When two billion people in the world profess some sort of belief in such figures, they are bound to influence any sane analysis.

[Timmybear]

Not true. I don't consider a belief in God to necessarily be sane - which is not to say I think anyone who believes in God to be insane. I mean, I see no rational basis for not passing under ladders, etc., but I don't grab people who refuse to and shove them under ladders - people's reasons for acting are largely unimportant to me. And I can account for Jeanne's actions without resorting to God or Jesus - now, her BELIEFS are perhaps another matter...

[UnfamiliarPlace]

Quite what I meant - I don't intend to rationalize belief itself, but a realistic analysis has to account for that belief. I am quite certain that much of her action was dependent on her belief.

[NowIamheretoo]

I do see a rational reason for not passing under ladders : the guy on top might drop something on my head ... that is propably also the reason why it's called to bring bad luck. A lot of religious rules are like that : a way to protect (and sometimes control) people against what is bad for them when a rational explanation is not enough. (like Jews and Muslims not eating pork, because it used to be difficult to keep, causing sickness). Belief has always been a strong drive for people.

[sirozy]

How about the voice of a, person ?

[mariadelamor21]

Sublime this version of "Joan of Arc" by Leonard Cohen and Julie Christensen.

[Highpit]

Жанна Д'Арк... хорошая песня!

[GreatGrumbledook]

In her life the real Jeanne threatened Dunois with having his head cut off if he would fail to notify her when the English reinforcements would arrive before Orleans, used to chase away the daughters of joy out of her camp with the sword [as her motto was: "Make war not love!"], nearly beat a Scotsman for telling her that she was eating stolen veal and beat a tailor in the face with full power for touching her breasts; so I do not know what she would do to the culprits behind this awful song!

[Timmybear]

I disagree with the end of your statement, but your construction and venom are admirable. :)

[GreatGrumbledook]

@Timmybear: Look, it is neither my construction nor venom but Jeanne herself who is admirable:

Judge: "Do the Domremy people side with the Burgundians or with the opposite party?"

Jeanne: "I knew only one Burgundian at Domremy: I should have been quite willing for them to cut off his head - always had it pleased God."

So this false homesick village girl imagination is as much nonsense then this melancholy saint sacrifice nonsense. You could as well depict Jesus as a dandy!

[mmedefarge]

Don't be so literal. Cohen calls his heroine Joan of Arc (actually an old girlfriend) but it's closer to the image of the Anima Sola. There is a picture of the Anima Sola on his original album when he first sang this song back in the '60's.

A soldier who served under JOA's command was purported to have described her as, "broad & swart & kindling no desire in the men". Not exactly the sylph image of Jean Seberg.

[GreatGrumbledook]

@mmedefarge: If that American wimp would have left her out I would not have been attracted but in the song the war is mentioned; but concerning Jeanne I guess I will quote some of her fellow commanders, like the Duke of Alencon:

[GreatGrumbledook]

"In all she did, except in affairs of war, she was a very simple young girl; but for warlike things bearing the lance, assembling an army, ordering military operations, directing artillery she was most skilful. Every one wondered that she could act with as much wisdom and foresight as a captain who had fought for twenty or thirty years. It was above all in making use of artillery that she was so wonderful."

[mmedefarge]

There are all kinds of "wars"; you are still taking the song far too literally. I never saw the song that way, in fact, I would not have enjoyed it if I had. Cohen, being Jewish, is hardly an authority on Jeanne d'Arc. Jeanne d'Arc is an archetype. There are many every day Jeanne d'Arc; there always have been.

[GreatGrumbledook]

@mmedefarge: Not without reason the Roman historian Tacitus condemned the Jews thus: "Moses, wishing to secure for the future his authority over the nation, gave them a novel form of worship, opposed to all that is practised by other men. Things sacred with us, with them have no sanctity, while they allow what with us is forbidden." - It may seem naturally that the Persians persecute the Jews to death, but recently they enraged even the Germans, who thought them to be the source of Communism...

[mmedefarge]

What does that have to do with the price of eggs or the subject matter of this song? You are quite daft.

[GreatGrumbledook]

@mmedefarge: By the way: There is only one Jeanne, the Maid of Orléans, like there is only one Caesar, Alexander the Great, Cato, Themistocles or Charles the Great! Jeanne is not an arch-type but herself alone; or did you know another woman, who being ever thus indicted by the religious authorities? Example:

[GreatGrumbledook]

"(...) to the end that she should be denounced and declared by you her said judges as a witch, enchantress, false prophet, a caller-up of evil spirits, as superstitious, implicated in and given to magic arts, thinking evil in our Catholic faith, schismatic in the article Unam Sanctam, etc., and in many other articles of our faith skeptic and devious, sacrilegious, idolatrous, apostate of the faith, accursed and working evil, blasphemous towards God and His saints, scandalous, seditious, (...)"

[GreatGrumbledook]

"(...) perturbing and obstructing the peace, inciting to war, cruelly thirsting for human blood, encouraging it to be shed, having utterly and shamelessly abandoned the modesty befitting her sex, and indecently put on the ill-fitting dress and state of men-at-arms; and for that and other things abominable to God and man, contrary to laws both divine and natural, and to ecclesiastical discipline, misleading princes and people; having to the scorn of God permitted (...)"

[GreatGrumbledook]

"(...) and allowed herself to be adored and venerated, giving her hands to be kissed; heretical or at the least vehemently suspected of heresy; that according to the divine and canonical sanctions she should be punished and corrected canonically and lawfully, as befitted these and all other proper ends (...)" - Thus much for now; I know no other woman, who ever did things like her, especially commanding troops and fighting themselves and turning thus the tide of a war!

[mmedefarge]

OY! Your thinking is so "concrete". This song is not an historical analysis of Jeanne d'Arc. It is an allegory. Yes Joan has become an archetype.

Good night.

[GreatGrumbledook]

@mmedefarge: Hey! I never said that I think this song to be such an analysis but it is a song about her and as such it defies anything history knows about her and therefore I said you can as well depict Jesus as a dandy; nothing more, nothing less. But spare me that ach-type thing and keep it for your seminar on the philosophy of Plato! The so called artist should therefore think twice after who he names his songs, lest he once confuses Alexander the Great with Gandhi!

[mmedefarge]

To me, Joan is a person consumed by her passions. She's a martyr to the cause & in love with her own death. Doesn't anyone on a hard road sometimes wish for an easier life? She doesn't succumb to it because she is far more in love with what she is doing.

[GreatGrumbledook]

@mmedefarge: You must either define passions otherwise than all English dictionaries I know or else should think a lot more before replying! None of the things she did neither political, religious nor military can be associated with passion; and she was no martyr and did always desire to escape and resume fighting; so this claim is ridiculous and of course she sometimes expressed doubts, though they could only be rhetorical; but one can say she had some fun while fighting:

[GreatGrumbledook]

"During the assault on Jargeau Jeanne said to me: "Go back from this place, or that engine pointing out an engine of war in the city will kill you." I retired, and shortly after that very engine did indeed kill the Sieur de Lude in that very place from which she told me to go away. On this account I had great fear, and wondered much at Jeanne's words and how true they came. Afterwards, Jeanne made the attack; in which I followed her. As our men were invading the place..."

[GreatGrumbledook]

"the Earl of Suffolk made proclamation that he wished to speak with me, but we did not listen, and the attack continued. Jeanne was on a ladder, her standard in her hand, when her Standard was struck and she herself was hit on the head by a stone which was partly spent, and which struck her calotte. She was thrown to the ground; but, raising herself, she cried: "Friends! friends! come on! come on! Our Lord has doomed the English! ! They are ours! keep a good heart."

[GreatGrumbledook]

"At that moment the town was carried; and the English retired to the bridges, where the French pursued them and killed more than 1,100 men."

- But still it is reported that she cried a lot over all the carnage and bloodshed afterwards; what is rather odd for she was always the one who did encourage and demanded it, save on religious holidays of course.

[mmedefarge]

The English dictionary defines passion in several ways one of them being "a strong or extravagant fondness or desire for anything". This is not a song about the historical Joan or it also might of mentioned that she heard voices & was likely schizophrenic. Most people don't interpret the song as being about the historical Joan of Arc. Did Joan write anything down for you to be so sure to know her innermost feelings or drives? As far as I know, she was an illiterate peasant girl.

[GreatGrumbledook]

@mmedefarge: Well, as I said as it bears her name it must be judged by her; and due to her trial of damnation and the witness given in her second trial of rehabilitation, we no much more about her as about many other historical persons and to believe that Julius Caesar had given a more authentic picture of himself in his famous comments than Jeanne in her testimonies is a bit foolish and for that illiterate girl saying I will quote Thucydides on Themistocles:

[GreatGrumbledook]

"For Themistocles was a man who exhibited the most indubitable signs of genius; indeed, in this particular he has a claim on our admiration quite extraordinary and unparalleled. By his own native capacity, alike unformed and unsupplemented by study, he was at once the best judge in those sudden crises which admit of little or of no deliberation, and the best prophet of the future, even to its most distant possibilities. An able theoretical expositor of all that came within the sphere..."

[GreatGrumbledook]

"...of his practice, he was not without the power of passing an adequate judgment in matters in which he had no experience. He could also excellently divine the good and evil which lay hid in the unseen future. In fine, whether we consider the extent of his natural powers, or the slightness of his application, this extraordinary man must be allowed to have surpassed all others in the faculty of intuitively meeting an emergency." - anyway: Jeanne signed her later letters herself and so...

[mmedefarge]

If as you say, Jeanne d'Arc had no passion for what she was doing politically or for religion but was merely "having fun while fighting", that would truly reduce her to nothing but a pathological figure worthy of not more than a footnote in history. If what you say is true, her status as a saint should be rescinded.

[GreatGrumbledook]

@mmedefarge: You know very little about history and especially the history of France do you? Jeanne is an immortal hero of France because she defended France from the invading English, much like Charles Martell did repulse the Saracens; and she had no passions but believes and convictions; though one does not know if she did believe in her voices or if she just made them up to command the French armies; anyway: She was made a saint 500 years after her death...

[chrissezhello]

Joan is a mix of myth, legend and fact, but the facts we know about her betrayal and death by so called Christians makes me cry just to think about it. Raped, tortured, and burnt alive in front of a crown none of whom could do a thing to save her. She faced her death with courage until her flesh was actually burning, when the crowd heard her final screams of agony. Go read some bios, esp the one by by Vita Sackville West.

[mmedefarge]

I've no doubt that what you say about her death is probably true. The middle ages were one time in history in which I would never have wanted to live, truly a terrible time to have been alive.

[chrissezhello]

dont know if i ever hear this version before, brings a tear to my eye every time. I fell in love with Joan of Arc when i was about 4, had a painting on my wall, and she is still there....so sad

[RabbitNexus]

Yes....

[1966BOBBY]

Beautiful - thanks for the send RabbitNexus.

Thanks for the post gree.

[RabbitNexus]

Check my channel for the highlighted video, which is the best version of this in my opinion. I wish I'd sent that one if I'd found it first, but felt it was enough for one day.

[Icequeen436]

love the song so much. It's beautiful!

[wickiebowman]

This is a different version than what I expected. To really hear the power of Jennifer Warnes exceptional voice, listen to this song on her 'Famous Blue Raincoat' album. It is very difficult to find now, I had to buy it as an import, but worth every penny I paid.  She and Cohen are a match made in musical heaven. Joan of Arc just gives me the chills when I hear it. What a fabulous use of imagery.

[scaredgrandma]

2008 20th anniversary edition...Warnes has a website!

[wickiebowman]

Yes, I have gone through every page and word of her website, and am now the proud owner of a signed, 20th commemorative pressing of FBR. I don't know whether to listen to it, or frame it. Ms. Warnes strikes me as a very real woman, with impeccable musical taste, and a voice to die for.

[01Moodies]

@wickiebowman i know there are live registrations of the late eighties Night of the Proms when Jennifer preformed this song live in Belgium and Holland ,acompanied by an Orcestra .And evreybody sung along by the LaLaLa ..such a lovely sight and music to the ears ..she stole all our hearts ..hope someone will uplote this Vid greetings from Holland Wickie

[PaulusAlone]

@wickiebowman Hell yeah, I completely agree. And your right, the 'Famous Blue Raincoat' album, IS bloody hard to find on CD. (I still have an old cassette version). Actually it was Jennifer Warnes covers of his songs that got me into Leonard Cohen in the first place! : )

[loravictoria]

That's Leonard, but that is not Jennifer Warnes. Not quite as sublime, but not bad.

[cletuspop]

This always gives me chills.

[steph5580]

Loved you in Black and White Night with Roy Orbison!

[hansiwalker]

The most inspired and touching La-la-la ... of all times.

[lgm007]

You were very happy in your definition...perfect!!!

[wolkowy1]

The historic Joan of Arc was a Christian saint and a symbol. Leonard Cohen's Joan of Arc is a real woman, loving, lonely and tragic, burned in the fire she choosed herself to jump in. Beautiful poem and performance. Thanks for uploading.

[George68867]

Ek gaan nou my polse sny ! Waar is Bok van Blerk !

[willembez]

Swak opmerking, George. Gaan luister gerus na Bok van Blerk. Dalk is Leonard Cohen `n bietjie bo jou vuurmaakplek.

Of miskien Suur Saartjie en die Sonskynsusters?

[Mugsel]

wat voor taal is dit? Geen touw aan vast te knopen.

[willembez]

Afrikaans. Ek het verhuis vanaf Suid-Afrika na Skotland. Leonard Cohen het `n (een) vertoning (show) in Glasgow op 6 November. Ek hoop en vertrou dat hy "Joan of Arc", "Take this Waltz" en "So long, Marianne" by die program kan inpas. Hierdie 3 is my gunsteling nommers!

Ek vertrou jy kon ietwat verstaan van wat ek stryf. Afrikaans is `n ge-afrikaniseerde vorm van Nederlands.

[LindaLodi]

Right this is Julie singing and it's from Cohen Live - she is also on San Sebastian. I like Jennifer's voice, but on this tune, I like Julie - she sounds a bit like Joan Baez. OK. Shoot me.

[booker44]

You hear Julie Christensen and Perla Batalla, who are his steady backup vocals, take a look around here (see take this waltz f.e.).

[msupertramp]

This is off the Leonard Cohen Live. This is not Jennifer. That's from Famous Blue Raincoat.

[TimoniumGuy]

This is NOT Jennifer Warnes singing on this version. Jennifer's voice is much better that this one

[suuzzee5]

My heroine and muse...Jeanne d'Arc

[jackkarnes]

Best song I ever heard via Leonard Cohen on Joan of Arc! Joan ruled!!!!

[fayezeee]

Sorry, Jennifer Warnes's version is, I think, fits with Cohen much better

[scaredgrandma]

When Warnes and Cohen sang that song together it made music history!

[fayezeee]

Jennifer Warne's "Famous Blue Raincoat" Cohen album has been remastered and apparently was released feb. 2008. I haven't found it yet.

[scaredgrandma]

Warnes ahs hder own web site and you can order from it! Buy it from the artist!

[teresitahdv]

What is this song about, could anyone please explain it to me? Is he referring to God when he says that she understood that if He is Fire, she had to be wood...?

[colekeircom]

Perhaps he is as Joan of Arc claimed to be driven by messages from heaven.I think he is just being poetic and referring to her death by burning at the stake as a marriage of fire and wood.Her platform was built higher than usual so that the large crowd at her execution could not doubt that she died.--'And high above the wedding guests he hung the ashes of her wedding dress'

[domnita1valaha]

Joan of Arc is a real person who lived in 15th century and was an important french figter in the wor of 100years between French and Englnd. She claimed to speak with God and fight to re-conquer theOrleans whom at theat time belogs to England. For this reason and(theat she claimesd to see God, was condemn to be killd by bunrning on the pyre, theat's why she say in the song " that she understood that if He is Fire", is an lric shape of theat tragedy.

[teresitahdv]

It is not a tragedy, she was a saint for whoever gives up his/her life for Christ is a saint. There is no greater love than to give one's life for those whom we love even while they hate us. And that's exactly what Joan of Arc and Jesus did.

If Jesus is Fire, she understood that she had to be wood... this is what St. John of the Cross calls the transformation of the beloved one (us) into the Lover (God).

[eirrac54]

Whosoever gives up his life for God is a MARTYR, not necessarily a saint. Saints are a modern invention started by the 'roman catholic' church, and any 'new' saints are created by them today.

What are you also suggesting, that Jesus gave up his life for us, while all along 'hating' us... of course you're not, but, which 'version' of Christianity are you espousing... nothing that you 'quoted' is actual 'scripture', but it might have come from the 'handbook' of your particular church

[eirrac54]

By the way, there is no disrespect intended in anything I said, it is merely a discussion.

[wickiebowman]

He is using the imagery of fire and wood, as Joan's bridegrooom, death. It is brilliant imagery.

[scaredgrandma]

I believe Fire is indeed God but LOve too and in one of the major religions they are suppossed to be ONE in the SAME..but first read Ist Corithians capter 13, the entire chapter..used a lot for wedding ceromonies but do people really listen? No one I know willingly climbs onto the pyre..even Joan didn't. but to submit one's will..to acquiese

and thereby gain one's self..."He who would find his life must first lose his life"...Jesus said that..even if you only consider him a rabbi..WOW!

[RISTRETTO396]

Always puts me in mind of Allan Beswick on Red Rose Radio circa 1987 when he was at his cutting edge best.

[STARBUCKSMOLLY]

can you buy the CD

[zizizzi]

Beautiful, thank you!

Peace

[absoluteMK]

I love the lyric..'I'm tired of the war, I want the kind of work I had before'.

[mainejerry]

I like that line too ... you often are expecting some grand philisophic decree and then he throws in a mundane line like that. It has a nice effect. I always thought S. J. Perleman was the master at that technique.

[teresitahdv]

What is this song about, could anyone please explain it to me? Is he referring to God when he says that she understood that if He is Fire, she had to be wood...?

[colekeircom]

Maybe I'm wrong but I don't think this line is so mundane as Joan of Arc had expressed a wish to return home to her family after her early venture into warfare[at 17 years of age].However she captured by her enemies and died aged 19.

[mainejerry]

i agree with your interpreation colekeircom ... but it seemed to me her saying she just wanted to return home was a bit mundane ... i was expecting some grand cohen insight ...that's all i meant.

[colekeircom]

Point taken.I am quite new to his work so I am still in 'learning mode'.Regards

[ciuffolina1]

sempre grandiosoleonard cohen...love him

[MosheNL]

There's another video where you see L.Cohen,Jennifer Warnes and the other 2 great vocal singers lain as my ear hears this, and I know her voice from 27 years if not more.

[stevin1000]

This is Julie Christensen with her beautiful voice who's singing together with Mr. Leonard Cohen ! Indeed, the blonde bach-up singer !

Use a search engine for further up to date information about this lady with her wonderful voice !

grtz

[Bobbiegirl27]

That's not Jennifer Warnes. It's Julie - one of Leonard's back-up singers (the blonde). Perla is the dark-haired one. I have all his albums - and Jennifer Warnes' Famous Blue Raincoat. Still a good rendition though.

[luckiestwomanalive]

NO, definitely not Jennifer Warnes.

[SigugudPui]

This is so beautiful.....I listen to it often.

Thank you.

-Al

[angelnoela]

takes me back.............

[camarrotuga]

Thank you for posting this video. I enjoyed it !

Thank you, Thank you

[Ruda59]

I agree. Judy Collins version of this song is the best. Haunting.

[taddyd1]

Judy Collin's version from her live lp Living is the ticket.

[mthivier]

Great song, but that isn't Joan Baez singing with Cohen. I think it might be Jennifer Warnes.

[MosheNL]

it is for sure jennifer warnes