Thursday, February 23, 2012

Lent and Leonard Cohen

He's been a favorite of mine since I first heard Judy Collins sing his "Suzanne" back in 1968. Two years ago I discovered him again, still writing songs, and giving some wonderful performances. This song of his seems appropriate for the beginning of Lent:


Anthem

by Leonard Cohen 



The birds they sang
at the break of day
Start again,
I heard them say,

Don’t 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.


Ring the bells that still can ring.
Forget your perfect offering.
There is a crack in everything.
That’s 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.

Can’t run no more
with that lawless crowd
while the killers in high places
say their prayers out loud.
But they’ve summoned up
a thundercloud.
They’re going to hear from me.


Ring the bells that still can ring.
Forget your perfect offering.
There is a crack in everything.
That’s how the light gets in.

2 comments:

Joanne said...

ahh... singing Suzanne, a Seton memory!

nnamdi lupe said...

nice one, enjoyed it.