Leonard Cohen : Popular Problems

I'm slowing down the tune I've never liked it fast You wanna get there soon I wanna get there last It's not because I'm old It's not the life I led I always liked it slow That's what my mamma said I'm lacing up my shoes But I don't want to run I'll get there when I do Don't need no starting gun It's not because I'm old And it's not what dying does I've always liked it slow Slow is in my blood I've always like it slow I never liked it fast With you it's got to go With me it's got to last It's not because I'm old It's not because I'm dead I've always liked it slow That's what my mama said All your moves are swift All your turns are tight Let me catch my breath I thought we had all night I like to take my time I like to linger as it flies A weekend on your lips A lifetime in your eyes I've always like it slow I never liked it fast With you it's got to go With me it's got to last It's not because I'm old It's not the life I led I've always like it slow That's what my mama said I'm slowing down the tune I've never liked it fast You wanna get there soon I wanna get there last So, baby let me go You're wanted back in town In case they want to know I'm just trying to slow down

Almost Like The Blues

I saw some people starving There was murder, there was rape Their villages were burning They were trying to escape I couldn't meet their glances I was staring at my shoes It was acid, it was tragic It was almost like the blues It was almost like the blues I have to die a little Between each murderous thought And when I'm finished thinking I have to die a lot There's torture and there's killing And there's all my bad reviews The war, the children missing Lord, it's almost like the blues It's almost like the blues So I let my heart get frozen To keep away the rot My father says I'm chosen My mother says I'm not I listened to their story Of the Gypsies and the Jews It was good, it wasn't boring It was almost like the blues It was almost like the blues There is no God in heaven And there is no Hell below So says the great professor 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 It's almost like the blues Almost like the blues... (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 of dishonor On the bridge of misery? And we who cried for mercy From the bottom of the pit Was our prayer so damn unworthy The sun rejected it? So gather up the killer 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

Bridge

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 suddenly is true Me I'm blind with death and anger And that's no place for you There's a woman in the window There's a bed in Tinseltown I'll write you when it's over Let me take this temple down You said you loved her secrets Her freedoms hid away She was better than America That's what I heard her say

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 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 will 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 Salutes some new conclusion That 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 And magnums of champagne But we'll never No we'll never ever be that drunk again OK The party's over But I've landed on my feet And I'm standing here on this corner Where there used to be a street The party's over But I've landed on my feet I'll be standing on this corner Where there used to be a street So let's drink to when it's over And let's drink to when we meet I'll be standing on this corner Where there used to be a street The party's over But I've landed on my feet I'll be standing on this corner Where there used to be a street

Did I Ever Love You

Did I ever love you? Did I ever need you? Did I ever fight you? Did I ever want you? Did I ever leave you? Was I ever able? Or 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 you? Did I ever leave you? Was I ever able? And are we still leaning Across the old table? Was it ever settled? Was it ever over? And is it still raining Again 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 (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? And 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 you? Did I ever leave you? (Did I ever leave you?) Was I ever able? (Was I ever able?) And are we still leaning (And are we still leaning) Across the old table? (Across the old table?) Did I ever love you? Did I ever need you? Did I ever fight you? Did I ever want you? Did I ever leave you? Was I ever able? And 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 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 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 Held you for a little while My, oh, my, oh my Wasn't hard to love you I 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 Held you for a little while My, oh, my, oh my

Nevermind

The war was lost, the treaty signed I was not caught across 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 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 these expressions of The sweet indifference some called 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 and this survives There's truth that lives, and truth that dies Never mind, never mind I live the life, 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 I had to leave my life behind 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 The war was lost, the treaty signed I was not caught across the line I was not caught, though many tried I live among you, well-disguised No man can see the vast design Or who will be last of his kind

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 you could use me I followed very closely But 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 And your love was so confusing All my teachers told me 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 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

You Got Me Singing

You got me singing Even though 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 places we could hide You got me singing (Singing,) even though the world is gone You got me thinking (Thinking) that I'd like to carry on You got me singing (Singing,) even though it all looks grim You got me singing (Singing) the Hallelujah hymn (Singing that 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 got me singing (Singing,) even though the world is gone You got me thinking (Thinking that) I'd like to carry on You got me singing (Singing,) even it all went wrong You got me singing (Singing) the Hallelujah song (Singing that Hallelujah song)