Leonard Cohen Quotes

A collection of quotes by Leonard Cohen.

Leonard Cohen (1934-2016) was a Canadian singer-songwriter, poet, and novelist. Born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Cohen started his career as a poet and novelist before transitioning into music in the late 1960s. His deep and reflective lyrics, often exploring themes such as love, religion, and politics, earned him a reputation as one of the greatest songwriters of all time.

Cohen released his debut album, "Songs of Leonard Cohen," in 1967, which included his widely successful song "Suzanne." Over the course of his career, he released numerous critically acclaimed albums, including "Songs of Love and Hate," "Songs of Leonard Cohen," and "You Want It Darker," among others. His distinctive baritone voice and melancholic melodies contributed to his unique musical style.

Beyond his musical career, Cohen was also a highly regarded poet and novelist. His poetry collections, such as "Death of a Lady's Man" and "Book of Longing," gained significant recognition, showcasing his poetic prowess and introspective writing.

Leonard Cohen's contributions to music and literature earned him numerous accolades, including induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Renowned for his wisdom, soulful performances, and remarkable artistry, Leonard Cohen remains an enduring figure in the world of music and literature.

The light came through the window, Straight from the sun abo

The light came through the window, Straight from the sun above, And so inside my little room There plunged the rays of Love. In streams of light I clearly saw The dust you seldom see, Out of which the Nameless makes A Name for one like me.

Let judges secretly despair of justice: their verdicts will

Let judges secretly despair of justice: their verdicts will be more acute. Let generals secretly despair of triumph killing will be defamed. Let priests secretly despair of faith: their compassion will be true.

I think the term poet is a very exalted term and should be a

I think the term poet is a very exalted term and should be applied to a man at the end of his work. When he looks back over the body of his work and he's written poetry then let the verdict be that he's a poet.

So the great affair is over but whoever would have guessedit

So the great affair is over but whoever would have guessedit would leave us all so vacant and so deeply unimpressedIt's like our visit to the moon or to that other starI guess you go for nothing if you really want to go that far.

Love Infidelity

And may my bronze name / touch always her thousand fingers /

And may my bronze name / touch always her thousand fingers / grow brighter with her weeping / until I am fixed like a galaxy / and memorized / in her secret and fragile skies.

Love Lovers Stars

It's you my love, you who are the stranger.

It's you my love, you who are the stranger.

The candles burned The moon went down The polished hill The

The candles burned The moon went down The polished hill The milky town Transparent, weightless, luminous Uncovering the two of us On that fundamental ground Where love's unwilled, unleashed, unbound And half the perfect world is found.

I did my best, it wasn't much I couldn't feel, so I tried to

I did my best, it wasn't much I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you. And even though it all went wrong I'll stand before the Lord of Song With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah.

... i didn't fall in love of courseit's never up to youbut s

... i didn't fall in love of courseit's never up to youbut she was walking back and forthand i was passing through

Love Falling In Love

Show me slowly what I onlyknow the limits ofDance me to the

Show me slowly what I onlyknow the limits ofDance me to the end of love

Poetry Love Knowledge Dance Epistemology Cohen

I heard of a manwho says words so beautifullythat if he only

I heard of a manwho says words so beautifullythat if he only speaks their namewomen give themselves to him.If I am dumb beside your bodywhile silence blossoms like tumors on our lipsit is because I hear a man climb stairsand clear his throat outside our door.

Poetry Love Loss Poem Filhos Da Neve

I'm guided by a signal in the heavens I'm guided by this bir

I'm guided by a signal in the heavens I'm guided by this birthmark on my skin I'm guided by the beauty of our weapons First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin.

I smile when I'm angry, I cheat and I lie. I do what I have

I smile when I'm angry, I cheat and I lie. I do what I have to do to get by. But I know what is wrong and I know what is right, and I'd die for the truth in my secret life.

Life Truth Rights Wrongs

Women stand for the objective world for a man. They stand fo

Women stand for the objective world for a man. They stand for the thing that you're not and that's what you always reach for in a song.

When they lay down beside me I made my confession to them. T

When they lay down beside me I made my confession to them. They touched both my eyes and I touched the dew on their hem. If your life is a leaf that the seasons tear off and condemn, They will bind you with love that is graceful and green as a stem.

And she shows you where to look Among the garbage and the fl

And she shows you where to look Among the garbage and the flowers. There are heroes in the seaweed, There are children in the morning, They are leaning out for love, And they will lean that way forever, While Suzanne holds the mirror.

And if one is to express the great inevitable defeat that aw

And if one is to express the great inevitable defeat that awaits us all, it must be done within the strict confines of dignity and beauty.

It was only when you walked away I saw you had the perfect a

It was only when you walked away I saw you had the perfect ass. Forgive me for not falling in love with your face or your conversation.

And clenching your fist for the ones like us who are oppress

And clenching your fist for the ones like us who are oppressed by the figures of beauty, you fixed yourself, you said, Well never mind, we are ugly but we have the music.

Music Beauty Mind

At first first nothing will happen to usand later on it will

At first first nothing will happen to usand later on it will happen to us again.

Life Poetry Humanity