Leonard Cohen at the Beacon Intro to Anthem NYC 2/19/09

A darkly humorous introduction to a song from the 1994 album The Future --Cohen lists some ways he tried to cope with anxiety and depression, including a list of legal drugs the doctor gives you, and various relgious practices. Finally, he learns to accept imperfection, "There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in," is the most often quoted line. (Also, that's how the juice runs out).
After that my memory card was filled. During this hymn to anti-perfectionism I tried to replace it with one I bought on Ebay but it was a bummer, my camera gave me an error message from it. So, no more recording. I watched the rest of the concert through binoculars where I could see Leonard's thin lapel suit, string tie, shirt buttoned to neck, and signs of age which are survivor's badges.

The birds they sang
At the break of day
Start again
I heard them say
Dont dwell on what
Has passed away
Or what is yet to be

The wars they will
Be fought again
The holy dove
Be caught again
Bought and sold
And bought again
The dove is never free

Chorus
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
Thats how the light gets in

We asked for signs
The signs were sent
The birth betrayed
The marriage spent
The widowhood
Of every government
Signs for all to see

Cant run no more
With the lawless crowd
While the killers in high places
Say their prayers out loud
But theyve summoned up
A thundercloud
And theyre going to hear from me

Chorus

You can add up the parts
But you wont have the sum
You can strike up the march
There is no drum
Every heart
To love will come
But like a refugee

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Leonard
• Cohen
• Anthem
• pharmaceuticals
• paxil
• welbutrin
• zoloft
• ssri
• drugs
• anxiety
• depression
• religion
• anti
• perfectionism

[anvilaniahhhhh]

purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...........­.