Leonard Cohen : Alexandra Leaving

To witness what Leonard Cohen has done these past few years has been, for those who have followed his life and work, a joyous experience. His ongoing tour has sweetened the nights of so many.

I first learned of Leonard Cohen as an adolescent, in the form of a few books from the library, Let Us Compare Mythologies and The Spice Box Of Earth. Later I would read both of his novels, The Favourite Game and Beautiful Losers. When I learned that he'd put out a recording (Songs Of Leonard Cohen), I was eager to hear it. A female friend from school had it, and I went to her place to listen while laying on her bed. A few weeks later another school friend, a female as well, had it playing when I visited her. I loved the record and, along with some early Bob Dylan records, Leonard's debut album inspired me to learn guitar and begin writing songs.

Over the years, I have collected every Leonard Cohen album that came out. Some years ago, after a quiet period, he released a record called Ten New Songs. One of those songs, Alexandra Leaving, resonated with me more than the rest. I can't explain it, except to say that it raised my feelings, opened my heart. It remains a favourite, along with so many other Leonard Cohen songs.

I gathered photographs from the internet for this video, and included some of my own, a few of women I've been privileged to know. I hope you like the video.

Note: If anyone objects to this video due to copyright issues, please make contact and it will be removed.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Leonard
• Cohen
• Alexandra
• Leaving
• Ten
• New
• Songs
• Canadian
• Poetry
• Doug
• Lang
• paganmaestro

[dexietable]

I've heard a lot talk about YouTube lending itself to expressions of "creativity" DUE to the ability to down/upload. Well after 5 yrs I've found it!! Wow @paganmaestro your channel is amazing! Beautifully creative. I mean the content before you upload is awesome: your videos etc. But the whole thing down the line is visually seamless and so cool. Thank you and thanks for an intro to some amazing poetry/music/songs many of which I'd never heard of!

[paganmaestro]

@dexietable - Thank you so much. I love the work and do my best to honour the artists and music. Your words are most welcome.

[MTCatman]

Excellent song! I really like Cohen. Do you know who is signing with him? Thanks!

[paganmaestro]

@MTCatman - Pretty sure it's Sharon Robinson.

[GiselaT54]

@paganmaestro

The singer is Anjani Thomas, who co-wrote some of the songs with him.

[paganmaestro]

@GiselaT54 - Everywhere I've checked it's Sharon Robinson. She co-wrote with Leonard and played all the instruments on the album except for a guitar solo on the first song, I believe.

[TheMissShevy]

Thanks for sharing C….. xo

[jamesfreeman96]

bretbryan, yes, read Cavafy if you never read another poet. He is the perfect literary

partner of Cohen...memories of past loves transformed by art, the dry winds off the

desert that the tongue can taste, the great human continuities of the heart

[fleadle34]

Ahh soul food !

Be happy !

[vlatko18]

There is a girl called Alexandra, and I heart her, alot! :)

[Anyse]

The article refered to here pertaining to Anjani Thomas refers to her doing a "cover" of "In my secret life." It has nothing to do with "Alexandra leaving"! Yes, it is Sharon Robinson who, in the past, has done the backup singing on Leonard Cohen's "Live" albums.

[Anyse]

I see Alexandra Leaving the final repose on Suzanne. Things have been completed here. There is a finality and the usual sense of sorrow and joy intertwined that make these extremes play out in some of Leonard Cohen's greatest writing.

"As someone long prepared for this to happen,

Go firmly to the window. Drink it in.

Exquisite music. Alexandra laughing.

Your firm commitments tangible again."

The vacuous Suzanne has become the tangible Alexandra. Honestly speaking, I am taken by her myself.

[bretbryan]

Quite difficult to resist this 'song' when it is part of the Soul...Maybe one day I might get to read the poetry of C P Cavafy...