I ve just listened to this song for the first time in my life but i felt like i ve known it for ever and it's become my favourite thank you so much for posting
Leonard Cohen is a contemporary poet and his music proves this. The poets have thinned out considerably these past two or three decades, but L.C. is still here, composing true artwork.
I love Cohen's work. The resentment over Scientology is both cleverly used and tragically implied in this song. I just love it.
It should definitely be "Well, your enemy is sleeping" not "While your enemy is sleeping" which really changes the interpretation of what's happening in the song!
I had the privilege of taking my parents to see Leonard Cohen in Chicago last year. I grew up listening to his music, as he was/is my father's favorite musician. I am now revisiting his music and delving into mastery of his poetry, and all I can say is he has the ability to pierce my soul by capturing my imagination and transporting me into his realm...his gift is simultaneously beautiful and haunting. To quote another poster, "He has been my best friend for 40 years and he's never known it."
Danzr Von Thai I proclaim heartily that Leonard Cohen is the closest visage of itinerant troubadourism that we have been gifted with which puts John Lennon, Tracy Chapman, Cat Stevens, Jennifer Newberry, etc. down the list with Bob Dylan sucking like a barnacle on the hind teat. --{RIP Jack Powers}
When I was about 16 (1968) Leonard Cohen was forced upon me by the "progressive" teachers of the day. I didn't get him then. Now, after many experiences I get him. "When she returned, she was nobody's wife" will haunt me until the day I die. I apologize. I had no idea of the damage I had done.
Someday a very small percentage of those 12 year old girls now watching Miley Cyrus videos, or a an even smaller slice of slightly older boys watching Lady Gaga on YouTube will discover Leonard Cohen song by song; video by video. Their jaws will drop at the emotional splendor they have never before felt in their lives as their eyes soften and their hearts shudder. Their comments will push ours further down the comment thread hole. Take comfort in that, instead of simply bashing today's music
@fek2000 some minds aren't ready for good music, that's why there is bad music. The only sad thing about it is that there are so many people who are less minded...
@sodoffpinches said "how shit that you stuck Athena posters to this song...you ruined it, have a great day"
Sheesh - you're like someone who's treated to the best dinner in the best restaurant in the world and says it was ruined because the toothpicks at the front door weren't mint flavored. Get over it and pay attention to the song - it's all and only about the song...
The infamous Frida baby finger rite from the beginning...it was her trademark. Did you know this? The photo of man kissing woman with the old Ford cars...well...the blue raincoat woman is behind them. I think she was doing the Anne Franks movie at the time a name that she also used as producer of Blue Murder...producer being as billed Anne Franks 1967 as fingerprinted. I love this photo of the old cards. IT is like the joker...right? coats can be mended burns Jesus takes care of them himself
If you read my description with attention, I never said that that picture is by Andi Popescu, I said that I used some of his works in this video; I never said that all of the pictures are his of wich of them.
@tardylove Onlylovesaves has a point because I actually noticed that famous picture and then believed it was by Popescu. The description gives the impression that the entire set of the photos in this vid are 'some' of Popescu's photographs. Anyway, really good vid.
Francois Hardy 1, not 2 did indeed do some of the photo work...not necessarily in bed but this is a Hardy production as specified. France Gall and Francois Hardy 2 did acouple of vids together Soeur Sourire Dominque between 1957 - 1963 before Ed Sullivan's The Singing Nun...before the two of them had gone to a Belgium nunschool. I'm only saying this cause the photos above are like so the opposite direction. Beautiful reading.
There were two Francoise Hardys. One a singer (2) and one the composer and singer for the Hardy songs. One can see both in Francoise Hardy sings Personel Message as composer/singer France Gall chats. France Gall goes with the name of Iris of Ireland/Canada/England/Scotland/France/Germany cousin to the late Queen Mother. When France Gall made a mistake, they always recorded it. The above vid. It was a murder/suicide = one female survivor...rite? That's Francoise in this vid...rite?
I'm sory, I don't know what you are talking about... I only choose this picture to make the video, to express my feelings about this song. I don't know who are the persons fom the pictures...
Francoise Hardy composed songs in & out of Eurovision in the sixties . She is the producer of this vid, rite...investor way back when...covered the initial costs? Francois Hardy did German Fragdenabendwind 1965 and as a Jewish composer under the name of Esther Ofarim the song Der sommerwind. So prophetic nech? In between, France and Esther was the above scenes..rite? Esther 1 not to be confused with assigned Esther 2 singer not composer. Francois never assinged a cover neither did France Gall.
What happened to the man in the photo? It seems so 1968. Wasn't he dating Iris Alona or was it Rose Alanis? Was he executed or died from something? Something? Something? Just a thread of a memory? Dating Jane Mixer? then that would be 1969 or 1970? Divorce?
My parents used to play it for me when I was a child. I am so lucky to have heard him - as you are lucky to have caught the sound of him in Starbucks that day.
I just read in wikipedia that British pop artist Leo Sayer used a line in this song
( "...Jane came by with a lock of your hair, she said that you gave it to her that night you planned to go clear..." for the hook 1977 # 1 hit single WHEN I NEED YOU!
Yet another wonderful LC song. Have only recently become a fan [after years of resisting thinking he was all 'doom and gloom']. Am wading my way through them all and love them! My favourite thus far is If It Be Your Will....totally devine.
It is also nice to see the comments on here have been constructive and worth reading, unlike some posts I have seen on this site. Well done for posting the vid.
I first heard this album in '79. That's when I learned of Leonard Cohen. I now have all his works, and I still listen to him almost daily. This is perhaps my favorite. What a song!
I sometimes curse myself for not finding him sooner.
Mike! I'm deeply concerned that you would even 'think' that LC has any influence at all from scientology!! Read some older posts for some suggested answers.
Great slideshow! Thanks so much for posting this. This is my all-time favorite Leonard Cohen song. Like so much of Cohen's oeuvre, it's dark and brooding, which I don't mind at all.
I've always been a bit puzzled by "go clear," and what it means. Apparently the scientologists have this notion of going clear, but I just can't believe Cohen was alluding to scientology. My current interpretation is that it means kiling oneself.
One nitpick-- I think the lyric is "I see Jane's away."
LC has a depth of human understanding exceeding all before him.
This poem could have saved many partnerships. Affairs are not all bad and at times are necessary. We have to be understanding with our partners and keep remembering that compassion is stability and we must listen to more LC poems.
Sorry about the 4 posts but this song is continually with me.
There is nothing to ask sorry about! I'm happy to see that you took your time to explain in words for all the people what I tried to explain in images. Feel free to say everything you think and to answer to any question.
Thank you for your comments! and I wish you all the best and may all your dreams come true this Christmas and Have a happy New Year!
The first chorus is followed by the question "did you ever go clear?" which to me is mild sarcasm by which LC reveals to this old friend that they know he is a social romantic ("One more thin gypsy thief") who has been long procrastinating about building his little house in desert and is really never going to "go clear" (ie clear away from the problems and pressures of the current society).
All is ok between the three of them and they love him anyway.
I agree that LC is writing this letter to an old friend of them both. This friend on a past visit had slipped into Jane's bed after fustratingly being stood up by "Lily Marlene"
I agree also that Jane needed the affair - LC knows it was not a serious threat:
"And you treated my woman to a flake of your life"
Actually it's not about Cohen specifically. Cohen was a novelist and poet before being a musician and I hear this song revolves loosely around one of the plots from his books.(Though can't be certain, never read it myself)
this song in my opinion is about an old friend of leonards,, that got with his wife jane, in the past, and they had a falling out, but now this letter he is writting his friend is a peace offering,, he thanks his friend for the look he took from her eyes, meaning she needed the affair, he's letting his friend know his enemy is sleeping and its allg ood now, that night that you planned to go clear ,i took this line as the friend re establishing himself,, by mooving away and getting clean.
Liam - to "go clear" was a 60's expression meaning to get well away from the pressures and problems of the current society. Like building a little house in the desert. It was used extensively by procrastinators - like thin gypsy thieves. Dee - it has got nothing to do with religion.
I'm still having troubles with the line 'did you ever go clear'?
does anybody knows (hehe) what that song is really about? is it a song about the writher himself? it's about an triangular relationship wright? L. Cohen is great but the problem with leonard is that he never remembers what the songs are about, even though he wroth them. I remember an interview with 'Marianne'. She said that the song was about her but Leonard couldn't remember her. i'Ts kind of sad I suppose.
See,mate,that's the ''problem'' with poets or artists of any kind.We always expect them to rationalize their deep emotions but sometimes something is just...born from deep within,even an artist himself cannot rationally explain the meaning sometimes or even doesn't want to.l would also like to know what this song is about in a nutshell since l consider it my favorite from him but l also like the mystery and fogginess of it,looking at people feeling lost in those magic words.He is a Great Poet.
frogexpat -- sorry to pry-- to me it would have to be girl child linda(donavansong) by -J Baiz-J Collins- Mimi Farinha & Smile by C .Chaplin various singers does that touch your soul ?
zalesz, Cohen songs are intentionaly polyhiedrical, have multiple meaninigs at same time, that´s why we call it poetry, so I guese is you who are misunderstunding. Cohen plays with the meaning of a man that tooks the woman he loved from him . Cohen songs are intentionaly open, so you give them your own meaning.
in each culture "a lock of hair" means something different and this can also be a memory; but if you think that this means that someone died this should be the brother beacause Jane cames by with "a lock" of his br.'s hair! And he says" Jane came by with a lock of your hair, SHE SAID THAT YOU GAVE IT TO HER", So, someone dead connot give "a lock of his hair" and either recive and come by to say she recive it.
briljant song,also take a look of the rock version of this song from rickyenslingertje of famous blue raincoat 2009. brand new,i think this guys did a great job!!
im not sure.. but i always thought it was a letter to his brother, or best friend that once had an affair with his wife. "you treated my women to a flake of your life, and when she came back. she was nobodys wife" he also sings "what can i tell you, my brother, my killer".
I was introduced to this song by Jennifer Warnes' version - lovely, but it never made sense.
This version is sarcastic and true. Not sure what "planned to go clear" means. I see some posters think it refers to scientology. Wot?
Shtove 6 months ago
Its so strange how Leonard Cohen's songs have different meanings at different phases of my life. Truly a poet.
didiwoodstock 10 months ago
excellent !
nobrainci 10 months ago
miss you old friend, remebering you with this song...
BrutalPhotographer 11 months ago
I ve just listened to this song for the first time in my life but i felt like i ve known it for ever and it's become my favourite thank you so much for posting
mow78 11 months ago 7
@mow78 this is exactly what I felt when I first listen it! I am happy you like it :)
tardylove 11 months ago 2
@mow78
...weird i also felt like i'd always known this song...
drummerboyrocks 2 months ago
Leonard Cohen is a contemporary poet and his music proves this. The poets have thinned out considerably these past two or three decades, but L.C. is still here, composing true artwork.
I love Cohen's work. The resentment over Scientology is both cleverly used and tragically implied in this song. I just love it.
Thank you for the upload. Very nice.
ViciousCannibal 11 months ago
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ViciousCannibal 11 months ago
beautiful! I also I did one on this beautiful song, but on the Italian translation by Fabrizio De Andrè
thanks ....and thumbs up !!
kegio2008 11 months ago
I guess the guy Jayne was seeing was a Scientologist: going "CLEAR"
denisethepainter 1 year ago
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denisethepainter 1 year ago
Thanks for this. I really needed it right now.
ray2772 1 year ago
great...
legion197611 1 year ago
Thankyou for uploading..
1991Eclipse 1 year ago
I LOVE this song. love how emotional it is, and how DEEP his lyrics are. Me gusta Leonard Cohen! Viva!
CuteyWithTheBooty10 1 year ago
It should definitely be "Well, your enemy is sleeping" not "While your enemy is sleeping" which really changes the interpretation of what's happening in the song!
Apart from that, it's a great video!
taljechin 1 year ago
bardzo lubię Pana Leonarda. Ten utwór doprowadza mnie do łez, pewnie dla tego, że właśnie moja historia jest tu opowiedziana ehh
iwjarema 1 year ago
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After the anger the bittersweet regret. So familiar. Thankyou L. Cohen
getyoursfree 1 year ago
After the anger the bittersweet .regret. So familiar. Thankyou L. Cohen
getyoursfree 1 year ago
AT the shoulder..if you must do words..do them properly...-)
chancesareshewears 1 year ago
@chancesareshewears
I didn't noticed, Thanks! I put an annotation :)
tardylove 1 year ago 5
Brilliant ! More please.
Pfranklin28 1 year ago
Très belle chanson.
Elle parle á l'Ame, désespérance et espoir...
That's Life no?
Commenter un tel poète demeure une gageure...
Pilmaill 1 year ago
Leonard is a Master!
MrMaxwellnith 1 year ago
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fgjghjafsf 1 year ago
I had the privilege of taking my parents to see Leonard Cohen in Chicago last year. I grew up listening to his music, as he was/is my father's favorite musician. I am now revisiting his music and delving into mastery of his poetry, and all I can say is he has the ability to pierce my soul by capturing my imagination and transporting me into his realm...his gift is simultaneously beautiful and haunting. To quote another poster, "He has been my best friend for 40 years and he's never known it."
MsfStl 1 year ago
Danzr Von Thai I proclaim heartily that Leonard Cohen is the closest visage of itinerant troubadourism that we have been gifted with which puts John Lennon, Tracy Chapman, Cat Stevens, Jennifer Newberry, etc. down the list with Bob Dylan sucking like a barnacle on the hind teat. --{RIP Jack Powers}
danieljanes859 1 year ago
With a few words, he make me feel, as if it was with me. Very beautitul lyrics! thanks for posting this video.
loebell 1 year ago
When I was about 16 (1968) Leonard Cohen was forced upon me by the "progressive" teachers of the day. I didn't get him then. Now, after many experiences I get him. "When she returned, she was nobody's wife" will haunt me until the day I die. I apologize. I had no idea of the damage I had done.
SMMHonda1 1 year ago 2
Labor of love this - lyrics, edits, screenplay et al... Thanks indeed.
ajgblr 1 year ago
Labour of love this - lyrics, edits, screenplay et al... Thanks indeed.
ajgblr 1 year ago 5
@ajgblr
i am very happy you like it! thanks for watching and leaving a comment
have a great day! :)
tardylove 1 year ago 2
could someone explain why this video is schocking for some people? And the song is one of the better of all time!
josecarvalho8 1 year ago
Cohens music is an audible elixer for my brain.... ahhhh.... much better. I CRAVE l.C'S MUSIC!
alivingdeadsoul 1 year ago
I love it!!! It's TRUE.
Msstrangeinfatuation 1 year ago
Beautiful.....
Thank you
jhpable 1 year ago
it is beautiful like your heart my friend.........simply beautiful
GNLavieenrose 1 year ago
my favorite song of all time. Thank you for posting with such great pictures.
DamienAlymer 1 year ago 7
@DamienAlymer
my pleasure! i am very glad you like it! :)
tardylove 1 year ago 3
Someday a very small percentage of those 12 year old girls now watching Miley Cyrus videos, or a an even smaller slice of slightly older boys watching Lady Gaga on YouTube will discover Leonard Cohen song by song; video by video. Their jaws will drop at the emotional splendor they have never before felt in their lives as their eyes soften and their hearts shudder. Their comments will push ours further down the comment thread hole. Take comfort in that, instead of simply bashing today's music
fek2000 1 year ago 3
@fek2000 some minds aren't ready for good music, that's why there is bad music. The only sad thing about it is that there are so many people who are less minded...
Sanitoeter666 1 year ago
......thanks.......
fuepfhnb 1 year ago
Beatiful video and beautiful song!
zurgo00 1 year ago
The clip is beautiful but I would prefer it darker and more sad, as the song is.
PetiteLicorne 1 year ago
I'm about to cry when I listen to it.
PetiteLicorne 1 year ago
espectacular
LOSTBANNER 1 year ago
espectacular
LOSTBANNER 1 year ago
berfect musican all ages seamue doherty 12
coolseamus 1 year ago
Åh så smuk en sang...og fantastisk koncert (ihvertfald den del, hvor jeg ikke sov)
clux2510 1 year ago
how shit that you stuck Athena posters to this song...you ruined it, have a great day
sodoffpinches 1 year ago
@sodoffpinches Crude comment dude... who cares about Athena poster??? Really... what's wrong w that??
grondinca1 1 year ago
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etsisk 1 year ago
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@sodoffpinches said "how shit that you stuck Athena posters to this song...you ruined it, have a great day"
Sheesh - you're like someone who's treated to the best dinner in the best restaurant in the world and says it was ruined because the toothpicks at the front door weren't mint flavored. Get over it and pay attention to the song - it's all and only about the song...
etsisk 1 year ago
excellent video... amazing song... thank you very much
95turco 1 year ago
Stupenda! musica di una melodia melanconica..ma bella...<3..
mariangelalcrcch18 1 year ago
A thoughtful treatment of a great song- you should be proud of this
Mimmz17 1 year ago
this song gives me goosebumps...such a great songwriter.
alyssalea10 1 year ago
always makes me cry
crackfarm76 1 year ago
His music is just to real!
svagrod 1 year ago
Magnifique ASOLUment magnifique, so tender
atomkfull 1 year ago
The best of L.C.:s songs and you have worked it here most beautifully. Thank you!!!
DaddyIvor 1 year ago 10
@DaddyIvor
thak YOU! I am glad you like it!
have a wonderful day !
tardylove 1 year ago 2
marvellous music thank you
sidensvans67 1 year ago 2
this is good stuff
massachusettsful 1 year ago
this is good stuff...
massachusettsful 1 year ago
I think I just found my new favorite song. Holy crap, this is good.
undergroundgod777 1 year ago 2
Doisneau paradoxically hates the pic that made him famous :)
it attracted many problems from couples pretending it was them.
RationalMysticum33 1 year ago
Great vid -- really well done. :)
greenruskie33 1 year ago
My favourite Leonard Cohen song. I used it to put my 4 mnth baby to sleep tonight.
bluemicrodot 1 year ago
Wow, I got to watch this 200 times so I cn figure it out now....
VercingetorixXIII 1 year ago
The infamous Frida baby finger rite from the beginning...it was her trademark. Did you know this? The photo of man kissing woman with the old Ford cars...well...the blue raincoat woman is behind them. I think she was doing the Anne Franks movie at the time a name that she also used as producer of Blue Murder...producer being as billed Anne Franks 1967 as fingerprinted. I love this photo of the old cards. IT is like the joker...right? coats can be mended burns Jesus takes care of them himself
iriswigle 1 year ago
The photo is called "Le Baiser" (the kiss) and it's by Robert Doisneau, french photographer, not Andi Popescu
Onlylovesaves 1 year ago
@Onlylovesaves French sounds safe. Francois Hardy 1 (France Gall) and Francois Hardy 2 trusted French. Great!
iriswigle 1 year ago
If you read my description with attention, I never said that that picture is by Andi Popescu, I said that I used some of his works in this video; I never said that all of the pictures are his of wich of them.
I took the pictures from different places.
Sory for the missunerstanding...
Have a great day!
tardylove 1 year ago
@tardylove Onlylovesaves has a point because I actually noticed that famous picture and then believed it was by Popescu. The description gives the impression that the entire set of the photos in this vid are 'some' of Popescu's photographs. Anyway, really good vid.
NothingDefamatory 1 year ago
Francois Hardy 1, not 2 did indeed do some of the photo work...not necessarily in bed but this is a Hardy production as specified. France Gall and Francois Hardy 2 did acouple of vids together Soeur Sourire Dominque between 1957 - 1963 before Ed Sullivan's The Singing Nun...before the two of them had gone to a Belgium nunschool. I'm only saying this cause the photos above are like so the opposite direction. Beautiful reading.
iriswigle 1 year ago
There were two Francoise Hardys. One a singer (2) and one the composer and singer for the Hardy songs. One can see both in Francoise Hardy sings Personel Message as composer/singer France Gall chats. France Gall goes with the name of Iris of Ireland/Canada/England/Scotland/France/Germany cousin to the late Queen Mother. When France Gall made a mistake, they always recorded it. The above vid. It was a murder/suicide = one female survivor...rite? That's Francoise in this vid...rite?
iriswigle 1 year ago
I'm sory, I don't know what you are talking about... I only choose this picture to make the video, to express my feelings about this song. I don't know who are the persons fom the pictures...
Have a nice day!
tardylove 1 year ago
Francoise Hardy composed songs in & out of Eurovision in the sixties . She is the producer of this vid, rite...investor way back when...covered the initial costs? Francois Hardy did German Fragdenabendwind 1965 and as a Jewish composer under the name of Esther Ofarim the song Der sommerwind. So prophetic nech? In between, France and Esther was the above scenes..rite? Esther 1 not to be confused with assigned Esther 2 singer not composer. Francois never assinged a cover neither did France Gall.
iriswigle 1 year ago
Did Francoise Harding help to do this vid?
I can't remember.
What happened to the man in the photo? It seems so 1968. Wasn't he dating Iris Alona or was it Rose Alanis? Was he executed or died from something? Something? Something? Just a thread of a memory? Dating Jane Mixer? then that would be 1969 or 1970? Divorce?
iriswigle 1 year ago
what do they mean by go clear
Kalylove23 1 year ago
I discovered this song, when they were playing it in Starbucks! I find it to be really amazing, one of my favorites now!
GrimBallerina 1 year ago
My parents used to play it for me when I was a child. I am so lucky to have heard him - as you are lucky to have caught the sound of him in Starbucks that day.
nessy416 1 year ago
Very strong performance by Leonard Cohen...Well written. Makes you wonder...!!
Beautiful video !!! Right on !
BRAVO !
jojoqccan 1 year ago 2
omg.. this is.. just perfect...
MaijaValo 1 year ago 2
Spellbinding.... Nicely put together thank you!
Callands22 2 years ago
that sounds so beautiful...
dmonchef 2 years ago
no thanks for posting
Tokaitok 2 years ago
thanks for sharing...
JypsiStar 2 years ago
I just read in wikipedia that British pop artist Leo Sayer used a line in this song
( "...Jane came by with a lock of your hair, she said that you gave it to her that night you planned to go clear..." for the hook 1977 # 1 hit single WHEN I NEED YOU!
RSTAR2009 2 years ago
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leviticus-65
MrFartmonkey 2 years ago
This is a beautiful song ever.
upitertucson 2 years ago
Yet another wonderful LC song. Have only recently become a fan [after years of resisting thinking he was all 'doom and gloom']. Am wading my way through them all and love them! My favourite thus far is If It Be Your Will....totally devine.
It is also nice to see the comments on here have been constructive and worth reading, unlike some posts I have seen on this site. Well done for posting the vid.
toffeegirl007 2 years ago
I first heard this album in '79. That's when I learned of Leonard Cohen. I now have all his works, and I still listen to him almost daily. This is perhaps my favorite. What a song!
I sometimes curse myself for not finding him sooner.
MarcusP52 2 years ago
"thanks for the trouble you took from her eyes, i tought it was there for good"
this is most beloved part for me.
now isn't this about the whole parody of try & fail?
blackozan 2 years ago
The idea of "go clear" is to go off heroin, as far as I recall Cohen saying in an interview many moons ago.
Shamrok2007 2 years ago
Bill-- No worries. Leonard Cohen is the last guy I would expect to be influenced by scientology! :)
MikeMirarchi 2 years ago
Mike! I'm deeply concerned that you would even 'think' that LC has any influence at all from scientology!! Read some older posts for some suggested answers.
billfilson 2 years ago
Great slideshow! Thanks so much for posting this. This is my all-time favorite Leonard Cohen song. Like so much of Cohen's oeuvre, it's dark and brooding, which I don't mind at all.
I've always been a bit puzzled by "go clear," and what it means. Apparently the scientologists have this notion of going clear, but I just can't believe Cohen was alluding to scientology. My current interpretation is that it means kiling oneself.
One nitpick-- I think the lyric is "I see Jane's away."
MikeMirarchi 2 years ago
I LOVE COHEN.
bbuteo 2 years ago 2
I'm celebrating New Year with this song and I can't think of a better way to to it ...
thnak you Leonard Cohen for the shivers, the warmth, for that depth of feelings.
soledemina1 2 years ago 21
Tradylove, you're dealing with one of the greatest songs ever written here - and you've done it beautifully. Thanks and happy New Year to you.
jonhannah15383 2 years ago
thank you very much, Jonhannah!
Happy New Year to you too!
And may all your dreams come true!
tardylove 2 years ago
Thank you - and sorry for the typo on your name !
jonhannah15383 2 years ago
Beautiful:)
silentLena 2 years ago
This is a wonderful poem.
LC has a depth of human understanding exceeding all before him.
This poem could have saved many partnerships. Affairs are not all bad and at times are necessary. We have to be understanding with our partners and keep remembering that compassion is stability and we must listen to more LC poems.
Sorry about the 4 posts but this song is continually with me.
billfilson 2 years ago
There is nothing to ask sorry about! I'm happy to see that you took your time to explain in words for all the people what I tried to explain in images. Feel free to say everything you think and to answer to any question.
Thank you for your comments! and I wish you all the best and may all your dreams come true this Christmas and Have a happy New Year!
God bless you all!
tardylove 2 years ago
The first chorus is followed by the question "did you ever go clear?" which to me is mild sarcasm by which LC reveals to this old friend that they know he is a social romantic ("One more thin gypsy thief") who has been long procrastinating about building his little house in desert and is really never going to "go clear" (ie clear away from the problems and pressures of the current society).
All is ok between the three of them and they love him anyway.
billfilson 2 years ago
and then invites him visit again:
"If you ever come by here for Jane or for me,
while your enemy's sleeping
his woman is free"
The affair clearly help LC's relationship problems with Jane and he acknowledged this will those wonderful lines
"Thanks for the trouble you took from her eyes,
I thought it was there for good,
and I never tried"
I believe Jane now feels a real woman and is more complete and content.
billfilson 2 years ago
I agree that LC is writing this letter to an old friend of them both. This friend on a past visit had slipped into Jane's bed after fustratingly being stood up by "Lily Marlene"
I agree also that Jane needed the affair - LC knows it was not a serious threat:
"And you treated my woman to a flake of your life"
LC forgives him with some more beautiful poetry
"And what can I tell you my bother, my killer.
What can I possibly say?
I guess I that I miss you,
I guess I forgive you."
billfilson 2 years ago
Actually it's not about Cohen specifically. Cohen was a novelist and poet before being a musician and I hear this song revolves loosely around one of the plots from his books.(Though can't be certain, never read it myself)
Great video though
TheMadcapSyd 2 years ago
this song in my opinion is about an old friend of leonards,, that got with his wife jane, in the past, and they had a falling out, but now this letter he is writting his friend is a peace offering,, he thanks his friend for the look he took from her eyes, meaning she needed the affair, he's letting his friend know his enemy is sleeping and its allg ood now, that night that you planned to go clear ,i took this line as the friend re establishing himself,, by mooving away and getting clean.
RussellRiot 2 years ago
wicked song,, i play it alot around winter time,,, i feel this song strongly,,, especially if imdrinking,,, love it,,
RussellRiot 2 years ago
BTW: This is my favourite LC song. Thanks to the maker of this clip who clearly understands what this song is about.
billfilson 2 years ago
Thank you very much! Maybe we are just understanding this song in the same emotional way.
Have a wonderful day!
tardylove 2 years ago
Liam - to "go clear" was a 60's expression meaning to get well away from the pressures and problems of the current society. Like building a little house in the desert. It was used extensively by procrastinators - like thin gypsy thieves. Dee - it has got nothing to do with religion.
billfilson 2 years ago
I'm still having troubles with the line 'did you ever go clear'?
does anybody knows (hehe) what that song is really about? is it a song about the writher himself? it's about an triangular relationship wright? L. Cohen is great but the problem with leonard is that he never remembers what the songs are about, even though he wroth them. I remember an interview with 'Marianne'. She said that the song was about her but Leonard couldn't remember her. i'Ts kind of sad I suppose.
edouardgt 2 years ago
See,mate,that's the ''problem'' with poets or artists of any kind.We always expect them to rationalize their deep emotions but sometimes something is just...born from deep within,even an artist himself cannot rationally explain the meaning sometimes or even doesn't want to.l would also like to know what this song is about in a nutshell since l consider it my favorite from him but l also like the mystery and fogginess of it,looking at people feeling lost in those magic words.He is a Great Poet.
partisan72 2 years ago
frogexpat -- sorry to pry-- to me it would have to be girl child linda(donavansong) by -J Baiz-J Collins- Mimi Farinha & Smile by C .Chaplin various singers does that touch your soul ?
topgate 2 years ago
topgate, i will not get into my top three for it would be revealing too much x
frogexpat 2 years ago
i dont mean to sound clueless. but what does he mean by "clear" ?
liambrawley 2 years ago
"clear"means to know your spiritual fullness of your soul to pure love.Amen
deecahalin 2 years ago
thanks
liambrawley 2 years ago
......did you ever go clear?:)
RollerTrip 2 years ago
and You???
rimef 2 years ago
I have discovered this song Leonard Cohen. Wise text, it introduces to apprehension of woman, because however, there is possible. My favorite song.
POLE707 2 years ago
its not a song its a dream!!!!!! i want cry.....for anyone lost his life for a woman!!!!!
kamperis7 2 years ago
very nice
kangelbaby 2 years ago
which are the other songs frogexpat ?
topgate 2 years ago
one of my all time top three, and that is to say a lot!
frogexpat 2 years ago
Anyway, what this song certainly expres is an uncomensurable love, free from all selfish egoism. Is so beautiful. snif.
juanjosvideo 2 years ago
I totally agree with you!
Thank YOU ALL for taking your time to leave a comment. I apreciate it a lot!
Have a great day!
tardylove 2 years ago
Thankyou for puting the song with lyrics here. Cohen is one of best musicians among the better poets.
juanjosvideo 2 years ago 2
zalesz, Cohen songs are intentionaly polyhiedrical, have multiple meaninigs at same time, that´s why we call it poetry, so I guese is you who are misunderstunding. Cohen plays with the meaning of a man that tooks the woman he loved from him . Cohen songs are intentionaly open, so you give them your own meaning.
juanjosvideo 2 years ago
Favorite!
Touchet1977 2 years ago
in each culture "a lock of hair" means something different and this can also be a memory; but if you think that this means that someone died this should be the brother beacause Jane cames by with "a lock" of his br.'s hair! And he says" Jane came by with a lock of your hair, SHE SAID THAT YOU GAVE IT TO HER", So, someone dead connot give "a lock of his hair" and either recive and come by to say she recive it.
maybe we are both right!
Have a nice day!
tardylove 2 years ago
maybe she was a ghost a and came from behind to hand over the lock of her hair.
korgho5757 2 years ago
i<3_the_ musiC_of_the_SonG
missfly00 2 years ago
יפהפה
oritze 2 years ago
Thanks for sharing such a beautiful song from this great artist.
wandamarina 2 years ago
think we all crying one of my favo
rockmats 2 years ago
"and i see u there with a rose in ur teeth".....that lyric gets me to break down crying
whenryanattacks 2 years ago
actually its biographical
and its an inverted story!!
LC lived with a close friend in Onatario when he was just a poet with little money and he was the other man
and he was the one who recieved the letter
and that how he came up with the story
only in the songe hes supposed to be the cuckhold
... i read this story on a magazine or online somewhere
and he didnt deny it or confirmed it in an interview.
kapachangos 2 years ago 5
It makes sense since he did admit that he own that famous blue raincoat
fongchen2000 2 years ago
Great song, great photos, great video...
jeta1105 2 years ago
what is going clear?
blockthisuser 2 years ago
as far as I understood, he asks if the relation between "Jane"-his wife and his brother did ever go clear, because they planed to go clear.
hope it helps :)
tardylove 2 years ago
wow, perfect selection of pictures...go well with the song, and amazing song it is...good job
skodarap 2 years ago
that was a kick ass editing thanks
neigef 2 years ago
THANK YOU! I don't have words to say how hapy I am to see that you apreciate my work! i'm really glad you enjoy it!
have a wonderful day!
tardylove 2 years ago
Going to see leonard tomorrow in Kingston On Canada..... Can't wait I just LOVE HIM......LOVE YOU LEONARD XOXO
cathybel77 2 years ago
what about his case with manager who cheated him on money? I dont have any news. I envy you cus in my country he proly never gona perform again ;/
blockthisuser 2 years ago
Great.....Great.......Great job. Love you Leonard.
cathybel77 2 years ago
Beautifully done :) Lovin it !! xoxo
jasminmommy 2 years ago
beautiful
annaela35 2 years ago
Is this clinton st. the one in Brooklyn? music still going on there? can any New Yorker help me?
namgyae 2 years ago
There's also a Clinton Street in Manhattan.
bornbillsmith 2 years ago
if you like hip hop or electronica listen to my famous blue raincoat remix in my videos
veach52 2 years ago
briljant song,also take a look of the rock version of this song from rickyenslingertje of famous blue raincoat 2009. brand new,i think this guys did a great job!!
magischepotje 2 years ago
wow. My husband just dedicated this to me! Thanks for the lyrics.
louiseduvee 2 years ago
Hello! What is the song about? I don't really get it... Thanks!
Smellthegrass 2 years ago
It's about a woman who keeps screwing up his life, but he still wants her, or news of her. That's my hypothesis...
louiseduvee 2 years ago
Yeah, but I thought the man was married to her.... and she was flirting with another man.
Smellthegrass 2 years ago
im not sure.. but i always thought it was a letter to his brother, or best friend that once had an affair with his wife. "you treated my women to a flake of your life, and when she came back. she was nobodys wife" he also sings "what can i tell you, my brother, my killer".
he misses him and forgives him.
sorry about the spelling.. im swedish
judittheking 2 years ago 2
Yes I also thought the same story.... but I wasn't sure...as it is not the tyipical "love story". Great song, anyways
Smellthegrass 2 years ago
yes he is one of a kind best singer
EPITAPH31 2 years ago
Greatest living poet? It's a travesty that Leonard Cohen was not invited to provide the inaugural poem for Barack Obama.
bruceok 2 years ago
Why? He's Canadien.
amsmad 2 years ago 2
Who said he would want to?
sockrockinn 2 years ago
ABFAB.
Plainly love it. Thanks.
wimaleven 2 years ago
going clear, was she a scientologist?
love this song, really,
sunclov 3 years ago
sounds like heroine
nickthomaspost 2 years ago
beautiful beautiful song the imagery is lovely..just enough thank you
honeychildgirl 3 years ago
Over 40 years ago, my ex-girlfriend introduced me to LC music. It was one of the greatest gifts she brought to our relationship.
I guess that I miss you. I still love you.
keygain 3 years ago 4
ah, that's cute
sunclov 3 years ago 3
A Truly Great Cohen song. You put together some beautiful images to represent the feeling. I really enjoyed that. Thanks.
gameboy6 3 years ago
what can i tell you my brother, my killer, what can i possibly say?
barryuk50 3 years ago
well ,
the end of december is close
it's half past four in the morning
i'm thinking about some lonely friends far away, who really don't appreciate christmas time.
I'll send them this beautiful video i think,
Thanks for the work and the share
Kisses
rvg06 3 years ago
Absolutely beautiful...thanks
xx
xfox3x 3 years ago