Friday, April 24, 2009

Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye...by Leonard Cohen

Ok so it's a song, but Leonard Cohen is listed as a 'Canadian poet, novelist, and singer-songwriter' on his website, so this could be either a poem or a song. I first encountered Leonard in 1996 (HOW did it take me so long?!) in Munich, in Wohn Heim St Elisabeth where it was the only english language music (only english anything for that matter!!) I had come across in weeks, maybe months. It was actually a vinyl called 'The Best Of' , I think it was owned by a girl called Anita -or she arrived into the common room with it anyway, and for that reason I have always recalled her name. I loved that album from the first time I heard it - each and every one of those songs spoke to me - and I couldn't believe I hadn't taken the time to listen to him before - I had HEARD of him - who hasn't?! So that was the start of the love affair with Leonard's music, and this song, 'Suzanne' and 'Marianne' are my favourites, but that changes because it is still one of my most well loved albums (I have it on CD now, I hope Anita still has her vinyl!).

This is so simple yet so descriptive - I can see him in my head walking with her to the corner ........... and as a veteren of one of those long distance loves that had to say goodbye (luckily only for a while) this always touches me!

****************************

I loved you in the morning, our kisses deep and warm,
your hair upon the pillow like a sleepy golden storm,
yes, many loved before us, I know that we are not new,
in city and in forest they smiled like me and you,
but now it's come to distances and both of us must try,
your eyes are soft with sorrow,
Hey, that's no way to say goodbye.

I'm not looking for another as I wander in my time,
walk me to the corner, our steps will always rhyme
you know my love goes with you as your love stays with me,
it's just the way it changes, like the shoreline and the sea,
but let's not talk of love or chains and things we can't untie,
your eyes are soft with sorrow,
Hey, that's no way to say goodbye.

I loved you in the morning, our kisses deep and warm,
your hair upon the pillow like a sleepy golden storm,
yes many loved before us, I know that we are not new,
in city and in forest they smiled like me and you,
but let's not talk of love or chains and things we can't untie,
your eyes are soft with sorrow,
Hey, that's no way to say goodbye.

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