"Alexandra Leaving" Leonard Cohen

[dalajlamapeace]

jako lijep link :-)

[adrienrain]

The poem is "'The God Abandons Antony' (also known as "The God Forsakes Antony") is a poem by Constantine P. Cavafy, published in 1911. The poem refers to Plutarch's story of how Antony, besieged in Alexandria by Octavian, heard the sounds of instruments and voices of a procession making its way through the city, and then passed out; the god Bacchus (Dionysus), Antony's protector, was deserting him.' from Wikipedia.

[stjulienlepauvre]

This is hauntingly beautiful. I am glad that I saved another version of this because I found the video annoying--it makes me think that the chick is full of herself, and that is the opposite of Cohen. I see him as gracious & modest--which contributes to the redemptive quality of his writing. He's that rare genius--a class act, even when younger.

[wakkosan]

what is the name of the poem? i love this song as well. i also love love itself and in my secret life. both of them are classics.

[liamardo007]

You're all wrong! It's all about sex, disguised by metaphors.

[jolangjolang]

@liamardo007 "You're all wrong! It's all about sex, disguised by metaphors" - please share the ones you see - I love the Cohen metaphors...

[sweetgypsywife]

To use Leonard's 'ultimate' word...this song is 'sublime'...

[Viatriste]

I believe that he is saying good bye to her but more pressingly he is saying good bye to having to say good bye to her again.

In not saying good bye to her it would negate the loss and it would be fruitless to say good bye to the loss of her. After all, all things part from us in life but ,shall be made anew again.

I recall the line in Tower of Song where he writes " I feel so close to everything that that we've lost that we'll never have to lose it again"

[MsLidia9]

love this song

[rhinestonemermaid]

You have an amazing voice that so melds with amazing lerics.  Alexander

[apollocatlord]

There is an incredible duality. It's a song about letting go, but he's saying she's still with him. "Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving/lost." He's not saying goodbye to her, but to the loss of her. Leonard turns the meaning of Cavafy's poem on it's head. The danger is not fooling yourself into believing that she isn't lost, but believing that she is. Brilliant... "radiant beyond your wildest measure."

[pascalpostelmans]

I simply love this song ..

[robertbrenn]

What a beauty of a song, love the video

[ramizcohen]

They became the light, They formlessly entwined...

like

I dreamed about you, baby, it was just the other night.

Most of you was naked

Some of you was light

Brilliant combination of etherial and emotional

[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.

[makemeateeshirt]

@heiland2012 ...surrounded by sesion muscians, how could he be anything less than sublime...ah slept between her satin btw

[gerobinson812]

I've never met the girl in the video but I love her and mourn her lost to me. God knows I've posted a shitload of comments about the song and Cavafy's poem, but sometimes a thing grabs you by the heart or balls and drags you to a cliff and you have to leap or cower away. I love this song like I love Frankenstein, its a monster I created, hopefully it won't end at the artic circle. But I digress...enjoy the music

[JinCKait]

Truly remarkable video, thank you for making it. This is the only song I know from L.C. but the video touched me somehow. It's all emotional and somehow it makes me to think about the past along with the song. Great job!

[alexandrabak]

My name is Alexandra ;)

I really like this song it is beautiful!!

Almost makes me cry..

[manosblim]

Based on the poem "The God Forsakes Antony" by the great Cavafy......not that Lenny isn't a great poet himself.

Leonard Cohen will be aroung forever.....

[breezco]

Also, hats off to Sharon Robinson's sublime voice.

[dylandorsten]

noone sings better about parting than lc

[tsira2202]

So ein traumhaftes Lied...ich liebe es!!!

[hetudas]

"Awesome" as all his songs. I have been his fan since being a boyscout in Germany when I heard another scout sing "Suzanne" around the campfire. I hope to see him in concert again,soon!!

[MeiTaiMama]

You know, having been a scout myself a long time ago, your post made me smile and think of campfires in years long gone.

[jiam1]

I love so many of Leonard's songs but for me this is his finest moment. Words and melody matching perfectly to produce something truly mystical. Is it strange that this song can be so uplifting? Also thanks for the empathetic video.

[xaminGV]

I´ve been faithful to Leonard since he released his first album. I felt impressed when I heard "So long Marianne" on the radio. Alexandra leaving is a song that I listen over and over.  There´s something mesmerizing in it, like in Dylan´s "Desolation row" that keeps me enjoying that wonderful masterpiece . Thank you, keygain for your information. And thank you, Leonard for being my best friend in times of distress.

[55mandy]

I agree this song is so damn beautiful you can listen to it over and over again without getting fed up with it...! It's also very sensual!

[keygain]

Unfortunately, we all have an Alexandra in our past. This song brutually causes our memories to drag up the love we lost. Tis better to have loved...

[pbain58]

Amen my friend.

[jharwold]

I really love L. Cohen's work...

And this is one of most touching songs that I've ever heard. So... Pure... So... Beautiful...so Sad.

Very nice video... And if this is you on video/pictures, I have to notice that you are very beautiful :).

[peterpearsall]

This was well done. Quite delicious.