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The Flame

Page 7

by Leonard Cohen


  Of all there is to know

  But I’ve had the invitation

  That a sinner can’t refuse

  And it’s almost like salvation

  It’s almost like the blues

  SAMSON IN NEW ORLEANS

  You said that you were with me

  You said you were my friend

  Did you really love the city

  Or did you just pretend

  You said you loved her secrets

  And her freedoms hid away

  She was better than America

  That’s what I heard you say

  You said how could this happen

  You said how can this be

  The remnant all dishonored

  On the bridge of misery

  And we who cried for mercy

  From the bottom of the pit

  Was our prayer so

  damn unworthy

  The Son rejected it?

  So gather up the killers

  Get everyone in town

  Stand me by those pillars

  Let me take this

  temple down

  The king so kind and solemn

  He wears a bloody crown

  So stand me by that column

  Let me take this temple down

  You said how could this happen

  You said how can this be

  The chains are gone from heaven

  The storms are wild and free

  There’s other ways to answer

  That certainly is true

  Me, I’m blind with death

  and anger

  And that’s no place for you

  There’s a woman

  in the window

  And a bed in Tinsel Town

  I’ll write you when it’s over

  Let me take this

  temple down

  A STREET

  I used to be your favorite drunk

  Good for one more laugh

  Then we both ran out of luck

  Luck was all we ever had

  You put on a uniform

  To fight the Civil War

  You looked so good I didn’t care

  What side you’re fighting for

  It wasn’t all that easy

  When you up and walked away

  But I’ll save that little story

  For another rainy day

  I know the burden’s heavy

  As you wheel it through the night

  Some people say it’s empty

  But that don’t mean it’s light

  You left me with the dishes

  And a baby in the bath

  You’re tight with the militias

  You wear their camouflage

  You always said we’re equal

  So let me march with you

  Just an extra in the sequel

  To the old red white and blue

  Baby don’t ignore me

  We were smokers we were friends

  Forget that tired story

  Of betrayal and revenge

  I see the Ghost of Culture

  With numbers on his wrist

  Salute some new conclusion

  Which all of us have missed

  I cried for you this morning

  And I’ll cry for you again

  But I’m not in charge of sorrow

  So please don’t ask me when

  There may be wine and roses

  DID I EVER LOVE YOU

  Did I ever love you

  Did I ever need you

  Did I ever fight you

  Did I ever want to

  Did I ever leave you

  Was I ever able

  Are we still leaning

  Across the old table

  Did I ever love you

  Did I ever need you

  Did I ever fight you

  Did I ever want to

  Did I ever leave you

  Was I ever able

  Are we still leaning

  Across the old table

  Was it ever settled

  Was it ever over

  And is it still raining

  Back in November

  The lemon trees blossom

  The almond trees wither

  Was I ever someone

  Who could love you forever

  Was it ever settled

  Was it ever over

  And is it still raining

  Back in November

  The lemon trees blossom

  The almond trees wither

  It’s Spring and it’s Summer

  And it’s Winter forever

  Did I ever love you

  Does it really matter

  Did I ever fight you

  You don’t need to answer

  Did I ever leave you

  Was I ever able

  Are we still leaning

  Across the old table

  Did I ever love you

  Did I ever need you

  Did I ever fight you

  Did I ever want to

  Did I ever leave you

  Was I ever able

  Are we still leaning

  Across the old table

  MY OH MY

  Wasn’t hard to love you

  Didn’t have to try

  Wasn’t hard to love you

  Didn’t have to try

  Held you for a little while

  My Oh My Oh My

  Drove you to the station

  Never asked you why

  Drove you to the station

  Never asked you why

  Held you for a little while

  My Oh My Oh My

  All the boys are waving

  Trying to catch your eye

  All the boys are waving

  Trying to catch your eye

  Held you for a little while

  My Oh My Oh My

  Wasn’t hard to love you

  Didn’t have to try

  Wasn’t hard to love you

  Didn’t have to try

  Held you for a little while

  My Oh My Oh My

  NEVER MIND

  The war was lost

  The treaty signed

  I was not caught

  I crossed the line

  I was not caught

  Though many tried

  I live among you

  Well disguised

  I had to leave

  My life behind

  I dug some graves

  You’ll never find

  The story’s told

  With facts and lies

  I had a name

  But never mind

  Never mind

  Never mind

  The war was lost

  The treaty signed

  There’s truth that lives

  And truth that dies

  I don’t know which

  So never mind

  Your victory

  Was so complete

  That some among you

  Thought to keep

  A record of

  Our little lives

  The clothes we wore

  Our spoons our knives

  The games of luck

  Our soldiers played

  The stones we cut

  The songs we made

  Our law of peace

  Which understands

  A husband leads

  A wife commands

  And all of this

  Expressions of

  The Sweet Indifference

  Some call Love

  The High Indifference

  Some call Fate

  But we had Names

  More intimate

  Names so deep

  and Names so true

  They’re blood to me

  They’re dust to you

  There is no need

  That this survive

  There’s truth that lives

  And truth that dies

  Never mind

  Never mind

  I live the life<
br />
  I left behind

  There’s truth that lives

  And truth that dies

  I don’t know which

  So never mind

  I could not kill

  The way you kill

  I could not hate

  I tried I failed

  You turned me in

  At least you tried

  You side with them

  Whom you despise

  This was your heart

  This swarm of flies

  This was once your mouth

  This bowl of lies

  You serve them well

  I’m not surprised

  You’re of their kin

  You’re of their kind

  Never mind

  Never mind

  The story’s told

  With facts and lies

  You own the world

  So never mind

  Never mind

  Never mind

  I live the life

  I left behind

  I live it full

  I live it wide

  Through layers of time

  You can’t divide

  My woman’s here

  My children too

  Their graves are safe

  From ghosts like you

  In places deep

  With roots entwined

  I live the life

  I left behind

  BORN IN CHAINS

  I was born in chains

  But I was taken out of Egypt

  I was bound to a burden

  But the burden it was raised

  Lord I can no longer

  Keep this secret

  Blessed is the Name

  The Name be praised

  I fled to the edge

  Of the Mighty Sea of Sorrow

  Pursued by the riders

  Of a cruel and dark regime

  But the waters parted

  And my soul crossed over

  Out of Egypt

  Out of Pharaoh’s dream

  Word of Words

  And Measure of all Measures

  Blessed is the Name

  The Name be blessed

  Written on my heart

  In burning Letters

  That’s all I know

  I cannot read the rest

  I was idle with my soul

  When I heard that you could use me

  I followed very closely

  My life remained the same

  But then you showed me

  Where you had been wounded

  In every atom

  Broken is the Name

  I was alone on the road

  Your Love was so confusing

  And all my teachers told me

  That I had myself to blame

  But in the Grip

  Of Sensual Illusion

  A sweet unknowing

  Unified the Name

  Word of Words

  And Measure of all Measures

  Blessed is the Name

  The Name be blessed

  Written on my heart

  In burning Letters

  That’s all I know

  I cannot read the rest

  I’ve heard the soul unfolds

  In the chambers of its longing

  And the bitter liquor sweetens

  In the hammered cup

  But all the Ladders

  Of the Night have fallen

  Only darkness now

  To lift the Longing up

  YOU GOT ME SINGING

  You got me singing

  Even tho’ the news is bad

  You got me singing

  The only song I ever had

  You got me singing

  Ever since the river died

  You got me thinking

  Of the places we could hide

  You got me singing

  Even though the world is gone

  You got me thinking

  I’d like to carry on

  You got me singing

  Even tho’ it all looks grim

  You got me singing

  The Hallelujah hymn

  You got me singing

  Like a prisoner in a jail

  You got me singing

  Like my pardon’s in the mail

  You got me wishing

  Our little love would last

  You got me thinking

  Like those people of the past

  You Want It Darker

  YOU WANT IT DARKER

  If you are the dealer

  I’m out of the game

  If you are the healer

  I’m broken and lame

  If thine is the glory

  Then mine must be the shame

  You want it darker

  We kill the flame

  Magnified and sanctified

  Be Thy Holy Name

  Vilified and crucified

  In the human frame

  A million candles burning

  For the help that never came

  You want it darker

  We kill the flame

  Hineni Hineni

  I’m ready, my Lord

  There’s a lover in the story

  But the story is still the same

  There’s a lullaby for suffering

  And a paradox to blame

  But it’s written in the scriptures

  And it’s not some idle claim

  You want it darker

  We kill the flame

  They’re lining up the prisoners

  The guards are taking aim

  I struggled with some demons

  They were middle-class and tame

  Didn’t know I had permission

  To murder and to maim

  You want it darker

  Hineni Hineni

  I’m ready, my Lord

  Magnified and sanctified

  Be Thy Holy Name

  Vilified and crucified

  In the human frame

  A million candles burning

  For the love that never came

  You want it darker

  We kill the flame

  If you are the dealer

  I’m out of the game

  If you are the healer

  I’m broken and lame

  If thine is the glory

  Then mine must be the shame

  You want it darker

  We kill the flame

  Hineni Hineni

  I’m ready, my Lord

  TREATY

  I seen you change the water into wine

  I seen you change it back to water too

  I sit at your table every night

  I try but I just don’t get high with you

  I wish there was a treaty we could sign

  I do not care who takes this bloody hill

  I’m angry and I’m tired all the time

  I wish there was a treaty

  I wish there was a treaty

  Between your love and mine

  They’re dancing in the street—it’s Jubilee

  We sold ourselves for love but now we’re free

  I’m so sorry for the ghost I made you be

  Only one of us was real—and that was me.

  I haven’t said a word since you’ve been gone

  That any liar couldn’t say as well

  I just can’t believe the static coming on

  You were my ground—my safe and sound

  You were my aerial

  The fields are crying out—it’s Jubilee

  We sold ourselves for love but now we’re free

  I’m so sorry for the ghost I made you be

  Only one of us was real—and that was me.

  I heard the snake was baffled by his sin

  He shed his scales to find the snake within

  But born again is born without a skin

  The poison enters into everything

  I wish there was a treaty we could sign

  I do not care who takes the blood
y hill

  I’m angry and I’m tired all the time

  I wish there was a treaty

  I wish there was a treaty

  Between your love and mine

  I wish there was a treaty we could sign

  It’s over now, the water and the wine

  We were broken then, but now we’re borderline

  I wish there was a treaty

  I wish there was a treaty

  Between your love and mine

  ON THE LEVEL

  I knew that it was wrong

  I didn’t have a doubt

  I was dying to get back home

  And you were starting out

  I said I best be moving on

  You said, we have all day

  You smiled at me like I was young

  It took my breath away

  Your crazy fragrance all around

  Your secrets all in view

  My lost, my lost was saying found

  My don’t was saying do

  Let’s keep it on the level

  When I walked away from you

  I turned my back on the devil

  Turned my back on the angel too

  They ought to give my heart a medal

  For letting go of you

  When I turned my back on the devil

  Turned my back on the angel too

  Now I’m living in this temple

  Where they tell you what to do

  I’m old and I’ve had to settle

  On a different point of view

  I was fighting with temptation

  But I didn’t want to win

  A man like me don’t like to see

  Temptation caving in

  Your crazy fragrance all around

  Your secrets in my view

  My lost, my lost was saying found

  My don’t was saying do

  Let’s keep it on the level

  When I walked away from you

  I turned my back on the devil

  Turned my back on the angel too

  They ought to give my heart a medal

  For letting go of you

  When I turned my back on the devil

  Turned my back on the angel too

  LEAVING THE TABLE

  I’m leaving the table

  I’m out of the game

  I don’t know the people

  In your picture frame

  If I ever loved you

  It’s a crying shame

  If I ever loved you

  If I knew your name

  You don’t need a lawyer

  I’m not making a claim

  You don’t need to surrender

  I’m not taking aim

  I don’t need a lover

  The wretched beast is tame

  I don’t need a lover

  So blow out the flame

  There’s nobody missing

  There is no reward

  Little by little

  We’re cutting the cord

  We’re spending the treasure

  That love cannot afford

  I know you can feel it

  The sweetness restored

  I don’t need a reason

  For what I became

 

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