So Long, Marianne

Album: Songs Of Leonard Cohen (1967)
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  • Come over to the window, my little darling
    I'd like to try to read your palm
    I used to think I was some kind of Gypsy boy
    Before I let you take me home

    Now so long, Marianne
    It's time that we began to laugh
    And cry and cry and laugh about it all again

    Well, you know that I love to live with you
    But you make me forget so very much
    I forget to pray for the angels
    And then the angels forget to pray for us

    Now so long, Marianne
    It's time that we began to laugh
    And cry and cry and laugh about it all again

    We met when we were almost young
    Deep in the green lilac park
    You held on to me like I was a crucifix
    As we went kneeling through the dark

    Oh, so long, Marianne
    It's time that we began to laugh
    And cry and cry and laugh about it all again

    Your letters, they all say that you're beside me now
    Then why do I feel alone?
    I'm standing on a ledge and your fine spider web
    Is fastening my ankle to a stone

    Now so long, Marianne
    It's time that we began to laugh
    And cry and cry and laugh about it all again

    For now I need your hidden love
    I'm cold as a new razorblade
    You left when I told you I was curious
    I never said that I was brave

    Oh, so long, Marianne
    It's time that we began to laugh
    And cry and cry and laugh about it all again

    Oh, you are really such a pretty one
    I see you've gone and changed your name again
    And just when I climbed this whole mountainside
    To wash my eyelids in the rain

    Oh, so long, Marianne
    It's time that we began to laugh
    And cry and cry and laugh about it all again Writer/s: Leonard Cohen
    Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 5

  • Robert Campion from Galway, IrelandThis song was written in Montreal, Canada...always thought there might be some connection between the title and Marianne Street on Montreal.
  • Leo from Ny , Nythis song is so beautiful. i got it from my girl friend. and i been listening to it for past 2 month have 100o tmes n over n over,
    craig you wrote it so precise
  • Thomas Gabrielsen from Oslo, NorwayFor those who understand Norwegian can go to www.nrk.no and search for it in the archive, it is freely available for everybody. Next saturday they broadcast an interview with Leonard Cohen where he will tell his story, and I really looking forward to it.
  • Craig from Dunedin, New ZealandA NewZealand band called the "Straitjacket Fits" did a really cool interpretation in the late '80s . The result was that my friends and i checked out the Cohen catalogue. Well into the millenium and continue to listen and be intrigued!
  • Craig from Madison, Wi"She held on to me like I was a crucifix." Absolutely amazing. No lyricist has such a clear and precise sense of metaphor--song length or one-line.
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