Alexandra Leaving

Album: Ten New Songs (2001)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is an adaption of "The God Abandons Antony" a poem by Constantine P. Cavafy, which was published in 1911. Whereas Cavafy's theme was based around Antony being besieged in the city of Alexandria by Octavian, Cohen's version builds around a woman named Alexandra.
  • Leonard Cohen was initially reluctant to record the song for 10 New Songs. Sharon Robinson, Cohen's songwriting collaborator on the album, recalled to Uncut:

    "For Alexandra Leaving, Leonard had reinterpreted a CP Cavafy poem. But Leonard didn't feel that it fit the record. Then towards the end of making Ten New Songs, we listen to it again and he realised that he really liked it and that it should be on the record. He referred to it many times over the years. 'You know, we almost in put that song on the album. I can't believe that!' But unless it felt right to him, he wasn't going to lower his bar, put out anything he wasn't completely happy with."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Max Cavalera of Soulfly (ex-Sepultura)

Max Cavalera of Soulfly (ex-Sepultura)Songwriter Interviews

The Brazilian rocker sees pictures in his riffs. When he came up with one of his gnarliest songs, there was a riot going on.

Psychedelic Lyrics

Psychedelic LyricsMusic Quiz

Whoa man! Do you know which band came up with these cosmic lyrics?

Song Titles That Inspired Movies

Song Titles That Inspired MoviesSong Writing

Famous songs that lent their titles - and in some cases storylines - to movies.

Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root

Michael Glabicki of Rusted RootSongwriter Interviews

Michael tells the story of "Send Me On My Way," and explains why some of the words in the song don't have a literal meaning.

Divided Souls: Musical Alter Egos

Divided Souls: Musical Alter EgosSong Writing

Long before Eminem, Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj created alternate personas, David Bowie, Bono, Joni Mitchell and even Hank Williams took on characters.

Director Nick Morris ("The Final Countdown")

Director Nick Morris ("The Final Countdown")Song Writing

Nick made some of the biggest videos on MTV, including "The Final Countdown," "Heaven" and "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)."