Leonard Cohen - Alexandra Leaving

[theospanos20]

kavafis the great , hear the original poem gu

ys alexandria kavafis

[plastehbo]

...<3...

[alexco12310]

haha my name is alexandra cohen

[whatsupalexx]

i only listend to this cuz it has my name in it

[livadarosa]

I quote: The album, recorded at Cohen's and Robinson's home studios, includes the song "Alexandra Leaving", a transformation of the poem "The God Abandons Antony", by the Greek poet Constantine P. Cavafy. That makes it what it is.

[panagyric1]

One of the few songwriters who gets into poetry. been listening to him for forty years.

[moncicaalexandra]

My name's Alexandra. <3

[JakubFriedl]

Sad and beautiful

[sfreiman00]

Boring. The same notes, over and over and over, without harmony, without change. Typical Leonard Cohen.

[dalajlamapeace]

beautiful song

[Beea1973]

I have no words for this song... I find myself listening to this over and over again....

[AlexandraDelRio1]

This is an interpretation of a poem written by Constantine Kavafis, its not about a woman called Alexandra, but the city of Alexandria in Egypt.

[StefanoLuceri]

@AlexandraDelRio1 Cohen freely adapted the poem for his song "Alexandra Leaving". Whereas Cavafy's theme was based around the city of Alexandria, Cohen's version builds around a woman named Alexandra

[hgbrown20001]

I have been listening to Cohen for 45 years. I remember Chelsa Hotel and Suzanne when they first came out. This is the first time I have heard this song and it completely blows me away! A great poet; a great artist; a great speaker for life in all it's depth.

[RIPforeverMJ]

Yay I'm an Alexandra!!! <3

[trizan123]

My name is Alexandra, lol :)

[OLLYALEX]

I'm proud to have such a song with my name in it:)

And I'm really sorry for all those other Alexandras whose IQ is actually so low, they can't appreciate meaningful music.

[moncicaalexandra]

My name is...Alexandra.:)

Beautiful song!

[theresa450]

agree soo much a beautiful son

[freeunion]

just one mistake in the lyrics in the video-- "your FIRST commitments tangible again" [not "firm"]

[chvaki89]

<3



[Hockney101]

You can see why he doesn't play this anymore.

[wojtek0000]

@Hockney101 Who? Cohen doesn't play this anymore? Why?

[Hockney101]

@wojtek0000 Because it's terrible.

[AnotherCuppaCoffee]

This song expresses so well the gratitude I still feel to the lover who first gave me the gift of sexual intercourse.

[TheStefanpetcu]

I just losted Alexandra!

[ElvisWexler]

Like a number of LCohen songs, exquisite.  Beautiful blending of Leonard's and Sharon's voices. I love Sharon's subtle soulful touch. Probably his best song that is not part of the current concert repertoire.

[A6N2D4Y]

It s also a beautiful rendering of the original Greek poem by Cavafy; better than a mere translation

[strongtheme]

wow! this is like bob dylan went into the fly machine with pink floyd and turned this track out!!! how the hell do write a song like this!!!!!!!!

[jtallariti]

I agree that it is one of the most beautiful pieces of music and poetry ever. Depressing...I dont think so...Timeless and glorious, yes.

[compowinner]

only just discovered this song and agree it has to be one of the most beautiful ever written...............

[compowinner]

only just discovered this song and agree it has to be one of the most beautiful ever written...............

[olaaloha]

love to listen to this song! my name is also Alexandra

[laffielol]

Yea same. I'm alex too. And I'm tryna figure out what tha song is about. So confused

[ale1995csa]

I think this is the only song that uses my name -_- and its so f..ing depressing gosh

[YayItsAlex8D]

@ale1995csa I know i feel the same way :/ the only reason i even clicked on this was because it said Alexandra.Such a fail.

[ADePalma19]

@ale1995csa

Exactly how I'm feeling...I'm Alexandra too and this is pretty much the only song with Alexandra in it. I suppose its a pretty song....if you are a totally depressed person...

[ishtarg8]

@ADePalma19

I hope you're pretty, 'cause you sure as shit ain't smart...

[woland99]

As someone long prepared for this to happen

Go firmly to the window. Drink it in.

Exquisite music. Alexandra laughing.

Your FIRST commitments tangible again.

[antBELGRE]

Based on Cavafy's (the one who wrote "Ithaca") poem "God Abandons Antony" - my favourite piece of art of all time.

[TheFina2010]

Lovely..I like..:" DO NOT CHOOSE A COWARD'S EXPLANATION THAT HIDES BEHIND THE CAUSE N EFFECT"..:))

[Alexandra4art]

Wow, powerful. Never heard a song with my name before! ;p

[1alexandra12]

My name is alexandra:p.

[DoubleAgent27]

As someone said...everyone has their Alexandra...

[tdk716]

I thought I knew a little about Leonard Cohen and his wonderful work, but i missed this track. I sit here in front of my pc crying and my wife thinks i am going mad!!!!!.

Listened to it 20 times over at least.Why does it do this to me ? So powerfull !!.

[xaidw11]

@tdk716 it's been written here before, but the lyrics are inspired (and in many cases actually translated) by a poem by Greek poet Constantine Cavafy. you should check him. such deep feeling, incredible power. that's why this does this to you :)

[Yookootj]

This is amazing, I am 25 years old and I am going to see Leonard Cohen play live in Australia in two weeks. I cannot wait, none of my friends cannot understand why I am so happy about it....it really shows that they don't listen to the lyrics and understand what music is!!!

[sofakingdrunk66]

@Yookootj You are the lucky one to get the true beauty of his lyrics.. Hope you enjoy the Master Poet of Storytelling thru the power of Ballad..Checkout my page look for Albertnoonan lots of great footage of Leonard Cohen on tour on there...

[ishtarg8]

"In full command of every plan you wrecked."

Damn, the old bastard can turn a phrase, can't he?

[Blodo666]

So many people don't believe that words have power, not even their own. The media is a cacophany of hurled invective. Careless words are killing us. Cohen is like a Merlin of incantation set upon the Earth to show how words can transform and restore.

[kenpugeda]

What a melodious, exquisite song.

[kenpugeda]

What a melodious, exquisite song.

[zottrix]

Here is a nice cover of this song. I highly recommend you to listen to this version, too. watch?v=jdfK92EjfiU

[1makes1]

Leonard Cohen touches me deeply by his amazingly touching songs and amazing lyrics.

[stjulienlepauvre]

Wow. Thanks for bringng this incredible song here. I've found Cohen brilliant since seeing the video 'i'm your man.' Ishould have guessed that there were other treasures.

[barbarastorper]

I thought Anthem, Let it Be Your Will, Hallelujah were the most beautiful songs, but I just discovered this one. It's amazing, seeps right into you, I could listen to this over and over again, and still reap more meaning each time. I think it would be the song to send to anyone who's grieving, and anyone who's not.

[mackenzie1883]

I wake up with this song today, after falling asleep on it last night! I have no words to express, just this one: it touches my soul! Have a nice day*****

[mackenzie1883]

i just love this song...the more you listen to it the more you understand! Thank you for posting!Much love to you*****

[kingkungfoot]

Akexandria?

[mocaho]

yes ..he's a legend !

[ahooperxoxo]

wow you spelled CENTURIES wrong

[Calsummersishere]

a great song with many meanings.

[kenylogan1]

Iambic pentameter with feminine end stop for alternate verse?

[Pyschadelic60s]

Magical

[Alexandra2277]

I simply adore this song....

[Alexandra2277]

I simply adore this song....

[malgorzata2733]

oj, oj super piękne

[centuryturns]

Music that's good for life.

[fluteplayer7mce]

i love to play this song on my flute, it's just so peacefull.

[sonomabob]

Thanks for the posting. Very nice.

[koogala]

Leonard got his inspiration for this song from the poem "The god forsakes Anthony" written by Constantine Cavafy 1911.

[pzmtij]

sometimes i feel like this song sings my sadness

[cicialex]

I also think this is about death so this will be played on my funeral, cause my name is Alexandra :D

[TravelerDiogenes]

I like his music, but. . .

I get a laugh from those who say his stuff is poetry.

LC is a guy with a decent vocabulary. He puts it in, and people gush that he uses more rhymes than "cow," "now," and "how." Wow.

Nearly every song, I hear him laughing at how little it takes to impress so many, while he stuffs his pockets full and gets laid by women 1/3 his age.

God bless his b.s. schtick. It works for him.

Because he found a "voice," folks think it is sincere.

It ain't poetry , folks.

[Rugrat88]

It's poetry, alrigth, Diogenes, just a different kind of poetry. :-)

Song lyrics and poetry have much, much more in common than things that differ. Cohen puts a lot more time and work into his lyrics than you seem to think he does.

[Rugrat88]

@TravelerDiogenes And poetry is definitely not just about vocabulary or rhyming schemes. Have a look a Emilie Autumn and "Ghost"; it's not the most well-worded and eloquent poem I've seen, but it's still one of the best poems I've ever heard. Something magical happens when a beautyful voice speaks subtle words and thoughts. Just like with Leonard.

[spongebobnik]

@TravelerDiogenes Then, what is poetry? Some of the best poetry "happens" to rhyme. Does it make you think? Cry, rage, rejoice? Perhaps it is poetry.

[jazzy020]

@TravelerDiogenes sad. you're gonna die unfulfilled. perhaps you shouldn't have been born at all.

[17Hongo]

@TravelerDiogenes Haven't you heard "A Thousand Kisses Deep"? originally a poem - there's more to poetry than a rhyme or choice of word - trust me, there's no one in the 20th century who could match Cohen. His insight and literary talent make him an incredible poet/songwriter, and as for the women, you obviously haven't seen the man play. I don't know what he does, but the audience is practically hypnotised by him - he has that effect on people. He's just an unbelievably sexy guy.

[riardan]

@TravelerDiogenes That may be your view, your way of thinking and doing things. Not L.C's. If you can't sense the sincerity behind every word in his songs, you're heartless, just a shell of a person. Travel on, o ascetic philosopher, thy words ring hollower than thy empty keg.

[mistychatter]

This cuts to the bone .

[marike99]

it's not a deeper voice

for a deeper voice just search in Youtube:

Высоцкий - Очи черные Погоня

and see it!

you will be surprised

[headshot213]

One of Cohen's best. I'm going to learn this on guitar. My dad'll like it. Love this song so much.

[laurel701]

This song blew me away when i first heard it :-)x

[juicybrucey1]

@laurel701 This has got to be the most beautiful song written and performed.I follow Dylan Simon Baez everyone of that ilk,God Leonard you make me cry,i wish i could get to see you but the tickets are always gone

[MyAnitam]

Da, slazem se...jedna od najljepsih pjesama ikada napisanih....bravo Cohen!

[IamLouder]

how did his voice get so deep? it was higher in the early days?

[Quigboosan]

Cigarettes and age.

[headshot213]

@IamLouder

well it's weird for me to say this coz im a guy but the deeper voice has more feeling and emtion. plus, it's sexier.

[CorumIrsei]

He himself once told: 'it's normal that your voice gets deeper after few thousands of cigaretes smoked". Or something along this lines, I'm translating back to english from polish translation I've read :)

[woland99]

it is "Your first commitments tangible again" - not "firm" - changes meaning. Otherwise nice job.

[kromosomfeil]

Really,- think twice!.

[SenecatheDuck]

What's the most beautiful song ever written? This one might possibly get my vote.

[beachcomberbean]

@SenecatheDuck mine too...thanks to the wonderful sharon robinson

[liamardo007]

It's poetical porn. Not many blues men, yes i said blues men sing about female genitalia. He's cornered the market on singing in a poetical way about pussy and love. Cool!

[nellafantasia73]

As someone long prepared for the occasion; In full command of every plan you wrecked - Do not choose a coward's explanation that hides behind the cause and the effect.

And you who were bewildered by a meaning; Whose code was broken, crucifix uncrossed - Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving.

Then say goodbye to Alexandra lost

You! yes I'm talking to you! - don't you think it's about you? How do you feal with what you have done? I bet you're just fine.....

[eric61049]

The song is based on a Poem called The God Abandons Anthony written by Constantine P Cavafy, like a lot of Cohens work it is based on poetry he has studied

[thedollysisters]

thank god for somebody with a brain

[rhinestonemermaid]

A very unique brain...Alexander

[alexandra12310]

deep..simply deep

[frabn]

Most of You dont understand one line of this! everyting seems to be about cheap sex for you! Ever heard of a thing called Love? or maybe it's the same to you dumb nitwhits? Anyway Cohen is way too deep for you,.. and too good too!

[pr1nc31000]

this song is about his reunion with his daughter 'alexandra' whom he had not seen since she was very small

[fawltypowers]

I think Cohen lost a friend (who was quite old when she died) and was visited by her after her death, thats how I read this song. Its an unbelievable beautiful song, poetry of the first order. Cohen has lived his life to the full and is bearing its fruits as a profound wisdom.

[liamardo007]

Listen carefully? And you will soon realise that this song, like a lot of other Coens relationship songs, is about a one night stand!!! And my friends, it's all about sex. His deep metaphors are hiding a very raunchy fucking session. He's a dirty old man who's mastered the art of describing sex in a deep poetic way and at the same time, he makes it sound so brilliant. We love him.

[sailrbill]

most of us have had our alexandria leaving, alexandria lost

[melixxx93]

cohen metaphorically uses the name Alexandra, he actually refers to alexandreia, the city in Agypt,when it was destroyed in a way, after kleopatra s and Antonio s suicides.the city was lost in a way, there was nothing left and it became part of the Roman Empire

[bulletproof00000]

how did u figure?? your head's so far from the realness of truth...

[fawltypowers]

just listen to the words bulletproof without trying to read pretentious meanings into it

[bulletproof00000]

sorry but my line wasn't for u. i answerd melixxx93 statement, as he was sayin that the song is just a metaphore on the ancient city of Alexandria, Egypt. Youtube has some problems in comment sync.

[allegrocongrazie]

it is Kavafis' poem 'The Gods forsake Anthony' which inspired Cohen.......just as the song, it's a poem about loss, about defeat.

[Leptir1981]

don`t know why but this song always makes me think about death

[bretbryan]

Think of it as not so much as death,

For death is so final, so the end.

Think of it as a failing of your own breath,

Your failing to recognise a true friend.

[drajzman]

This doesn't sound like true love to me. It sounds like a one night stand. He liked her, but she wasn't interested.

[bretbryan]

Never weep for love thats dead since, love is seldom true,

But changes its fashion from blue to red, from brightest red to blue

Love is born to an early death and is so seldom true:

If the merest dream of love were true then sweet, we should be in heaven

And this is only earth, my dear where true love is not given

[bretbryan]

This isn't about sound, what you hear. To me it's about feelings,deep, very deep feelings. Not so much as loosing a loved one, but more as love being denied by the God of Love as he leaves with Alexandra. Not quite a one night stand for "[as] someone long prepared for this to happen.."

[liamardo007]

you're right but she was interested and she fucks him all night long. 'As you slip through the sentries of the heart'???

Go figure!

[ClaireBeatty]

I also thought it was about the death of a child, or perhaps a beloved wife, after a long illness. SO what if that's not the intended meaning? It's still a lovely song, and we each take from it what has meaning for us.

[bretbryan]

Adam and Eve, pure love....Suddenly the night has grown colder;  the serpent appears...Where is the god of love?

[bretbryan]

The God of Love, realising the intentions of the serpent, prepares to depart with Alexandra hoisted on His shoulder.....the forbidden fruit not tasted....but then, Mr Milton, that's a different poem!

[bretbryan]

Paradise lost....

[billionear]

Milton....yes.

[bretbryan]

The words speak to me of a love far greater than physical love; more as a spiritual love...pure poetry I can relate to and understand

[billionear]

When I heard this song I couldn't help but feel it was about the death of a child. A child suffering from a known illness. I had images of both her parents endlessly at her bedside keeping watch over her. Expecting the worse. Then late in the night the little girl takes a deep breath...."Suddenly the night has grown colder. The God of love preparing to depart"...

[billionear]

Her parents acutely aware embrace her whispering words of comfort and love in their daughters ear..."And you who had the honor of her evening. And by that honor had your own restored. Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving. Alexandra leaving with her Lord"....and with her final breath she slowly exhales and dies. ..."Alexandra hoisted on his shoulder. They slip between the sentries of the heart"......Hoisted just as a pallbearer would do. The sentries of the heart mum and dad.

[billionear]

As the painful process of mourning begins emotions and reality become blurred and almost incomprehensible...... "It's not a trick, your senses, all deceiving. A fitful dream, the morning will exhaust"......They must learn now to accept the moment a moment they knew would come...."Do not say the moment was imagined. Do not stoop to strategies like this. As someone long prepared for this to happen." ... Instead face the reality.... "Go firmly to the window, drink it in"....

[billionear]

Fond memories engulf them....."Exquisite music, Alexandra laughing"..... A little bit of sanity returns... "Your first commitments tangible again"..Cohen seems to really make the point of exorcising the ego which seeks self pity and blame......"Do not choose a coward's explanation. That hides behind the cause and the effect"... Again face and accept the situation....."Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving" = the cause..... Then say goodbye to Alexandra lost...'= the effect.

[billionear]

Finally is Cohen talking to us??...."And you who were bewildered by a meaning..Whose code was broken, crucifix uncrossed"....

I have some ideas about what this might mean but I rather not say. Now thats just my interpretation I make no claim of otherwise.

[benjaminbauknight]

No, Billionear. Sorry, but the song isn't about a child's death. It's an erotically and romantically tinged song about a relationship gone sour. Love hasn't worked out and Alexandra is leaving. Period.

[billionear]

So I keep hearing. It was just my impression of it when I first heard it.

[bretbryan]

As a one off song maybe, but within the context of Leonard's other works....maybe not.

[billionear]

Yeah I know I think I have a romantic fascination for death. When I listened to it for the third time I realised it was something else. I kind of lost the flavor for the song after that. It didn't feel as profound for some reason?

[bretbryan]

Realise now, t'was the way the words hit me at the time. Now it speaks to me of the love I have yet to meet, ie. "Alexandra",, yet is always thwarted by the god of love as he carries her off on his shoulder.

[liamardo007]

Her legs are hoisted over his shoulders? This is a fuck song matey! Good old rock and roll on valium!

[liamardo007]

Rock and roll is a metaphor for sex Buddy!? And is what he's talking about in this song. Sentries are the piss flaps and the the heart is a pussy. Don't be too upset.. Coen is a self confessed sex addict. Read his biog'.

[parisianna87]

lol

[bretbryan]

Comment as you will on the meaning of the lyrics, listened to by me the first time today. They invoke memories and powerful emotions of my "Alexandra", lost so long ago and therefore, have more influence upon my mind than could be imagined

[SilveryMoon1979]

This song feels like a prayer answered. A gift from God those who hear.

[Sqid101]

Didn't Cavafy and other writers (Lawrence Durrell?) often use the metaphor of Alexandria as a woman? Why shouldn't Cohen do something similar?

[billionear]

I agree.

[grobbledonk]

I think this song is wise, and that can barely be said of the fruits of any other popular modern singer/songwriter. Hats in hand, the honour is ours

[Takac1979]

Ten New Songs. Happy, happy return!!!

[oldeblueboy]

A beautiful song ... by the beautiful Sahron Robinson and Leoard Cohen, arguably the greatest talent of his and any other generation.

[patricefeton]

Comme quoi , une chanson peut être belle et triste à la fois....

mon amie et moi èspèrons que notre amour naissant ne s'éteindra jamais...que personne n'aura à chanter celà à notre sujet....

[louiseduvee]

Amazing. I'll end up with his catalog like this...

Thank you!

[ProstheticFace]

My name is Alexandra.

C:

This song is beautiful.

:3

[cutegiirl08]

always love to hear a song with my name in it :D <3

[Dorotazz37]

Always nice to hear this song:))))) brings e back all the memories:))) Beautiful melody and original clip!!! ..........

[honeychildgirl]

i love this album my fav so far and ive followed LC all my life

just saw him in concert in sydney

read the review on line it will make you cry

the man is beyond words

[lotsooo]

One of his best, Those of us who are able to appreciate him are honoured. The words of a man with a great soul and wonderful gift. To those who put him down I say "Pearls before swine"

[Eeda01]

Does anybody know what the story behind this Alexandra is? Was she a lover of his who died?

[linuxlad]

1) see 'the god abandons Anthony' by Cavafy

2) Anyone know if John Cale has recorded this?

[stripppiii]

This song is freely adapded version of poem "The God Abandons Antony" by Greek poet Constantine Cavafy. Further explore by yourselfe :)

[rhinestonemermaid]

Who cares.  Alexandria

[lilelelatu]

One of greatest...ever...

[Jonwints1945]

Sir Leonard is a friend for life!!!

[otis123redding]

You either love Lenny or you can't stand him. Most people say they want to slit their wrists after listening to him - lol - I love him and always have.

[Ivoryheart1313]

I adore his music also! I don't see how people find it depressing!

[Schizophrennia]

I find some of his songs depressing,too,but it always depends of my mood.Sometimes,he reminds me of things,and this can be ,also,sad.

I don't know..I like him anyway...

[cuilwen1]

I've read somewhere that Cohen based this beautiful song on a poem written by Constantine P. Cavafy "The God Forsakes Antony". The song is beautifu, so is the poem. Look at the similarities:

When suddenly, at the midnight hour,

an invisible troupe is heard passing

with exquisite music, with shouts --

your fortune that fails you now, your works

that have failed, the plans of your life

that have all turned out to be illusions, do not mourn in vain.

[cuilwen1]

Part 2

As if long prepared, as if courageous,

bid her farewell, the Alexandria that is leaving.

Above all do not be fooled, do not tell yourself

it was a dream, that your ears deceived you;

do not stoop to such vain hopes.

As if long prepared, as if courageous,

as it becomes you who have been worthy of such a city,

[cuilwen1]

Part 3

approach the window with firm step,

and with emotion, but not

with the entreaties and complaints of the coward,

as a last enjoyment listen to the sounds,

the exquisite instruments of the mystical troupe,

and bid her farewell, the Alexandria you are losing.

[cariboost]

Your *first* commitments. Can it be fixed. It detracts from the fineness of the words and singing.

[nataliaan]

yeah....

but not evereone it's capabile to understand this things...

only thouse people who care enought...

[heiland2012]

One of the best songs ever written, in a wonderful interpretation by both Sharon and Leonard. Lines like "you who had the honour of her evening" is one of the verses that make you cry. It's not about juvenile losses, not a song of falling in love for the first time, as so many others. Alexandra does not have to be introduced - she has always been there. And now she's going. So say goodbye to Alexandra leaving. And say goodbye to Alexandra lost.

[chrisharro]

Hello heiland2012 - yours is a beautiful response to a beautiful song. I won't choose a "coward's explanation" of this one, but LC has always written poetic words - "she held onto me like I was a crucifix" or "if your life is a leaf that the seasons tear off and condemn" or "like any dealer he was watching for the card that is so high and wild he'll never have to deal another". He always sang like he was trying to hypnotize you! A true artist.

[heiland2012]

How can you say a thing like this to such a piece of art? Apoligize and be ashamed.

[d1sintegration]

my name is alexandra and i think it's lovely ~

[RAWRAMP1]

beautiful...