Leonard Cohen — So Long, Marianne
Album: The Songs of Leonard CohenAvg rating:
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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.
Now 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 razor blade.
You left when I told you I was curious,
I never said that I was brave.
Now 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!
Now so long, Marianne, it's time that we began
To laugh and cry and cry and laugh about it all again.
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.
Now 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 razor blade.
You left when I told you I was curious,
I never said that I was brave.
Now 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!
Now so long, Marianne, it's time that we began
To laugh and cry and cry and laugh about it all again.
Comments (175)add comment
Dr_Ross wrote:
One verse after another, each one rationalizes more and deflects more and justifies more. A trainwreck all prettied up. It just leaves one terribly sorry for the girl.
An appropriately serious and perceptive observation, doctor. Perhaps LC wrote these self-serving lyrics to expiate his dishonesty, by effectively confessing it between the lines.
You know, of course, that there was a real Marianne, whose anguish must have been hugely amplified by this very public exposure. It wasn't her first time being dumped: LC picked her up on the rebound after her husband left her.
Later in Hallelujah LC wrote:
"Maybe there's a God above
But all I've ever learned from love
Was how to shoot somebody who outdrew ya..."
But all I've ever learned from love
Was how to shoot somebody who outdrew ya..."
Perhaps someone schooled LC in how it feels to be outdrawn somewhere along the way, like Marianne was? Only she didn't shoot back...
Hey...
How about a few songs from his best album: Songs of Love and Hate?
How about a few songs from his best album: Songs of Love and Hate?
One verse after another, each one rationalizes more and deflects more and justifies more. A trainwreck all prettied up. It just leaves one terribly sorry for the girl.
I've seen Leonard in Verona, Italy in 2012. Before the concert we were wandering around the town and there was this massive rainfall, like water all over the place. And it was cold and the seats in arena were cold (metal, I think) and I was almost getting a cold. Rain stopped just before the entering arena and... what an amazing night it was!!! Leonard, humble as he was, playing all his nice tunes and you could feel the breeze of calm all over the place. Thank you Leonard!
pinto wrote:
I was thinking Al Pacino
Whether you like the song or not, you have to admit that that's a great album cover photo of Dustin Hoffman.
I was thinking Al Pacino
Frankly I never understood his popularity. His lyrics are grade B Dylan. At least in this period he was actually singing. In his later years he simply tlaked and mumbled instead of singing.
Remembering when I first heard this song and thinking what a strange song. Now decades later there is some connection that makes me stop and listen as it transports me to another state of mind.
niall123 wrote:
What a truly sad person you are.....................
if good is not inside you, your full of something else!
What a truly sad person you are.....................
if good is not inside you, your full of something else!
I recently, (post attack) saw the photo of Cohen giving Rushdie a kiss on the cheek. How sublime ❤️
ScottN wrote:
So Stingray, does this mean that you don't like him??
Use the PSD button. As for the personal attacks, unless you know him personally, refrain from calling names, please.
So Stingray, does this mean that you don't like him??
please...............no more Leonard...............I'm beggin' ya!
Dear Ann, Thank you for gifting me the beauty of Leonard 30 years ago. I am sorry I wasn’t a better man to you…
lizardking wrote:
Enough about your comments there Nurs…..and this old (as in young) LC track is getting a +1 from me....So Long 7 and Long Live RP!!
So Long 7 and 8 and hello to 9 and LLRP!!
Enough about your comments there Nurs…..and this old (as in young) LC track is getting a +1 from me....So Long 7 and Long Live RP!!
So Long 7 and 8 and hello to 9 and LLRP!!
Wait, Leonard Cohen wasn't always a gruff old dude? This sounds weird.
aneal300 wrote:
Al Pacino copied Leonard's face, clearly
how come they put Al Pachino's face on the album? 
Al Pacino copied Leonard's face, clearly
pinto wrote:
More like Al Pacino in my view
Whether you like the song or not, you have to admit that that's a great album cover photo of Dustin Hoffman.
More like Al Pacino in my view
how come they put Al Pachino's face on the album?
Stetsonman wrote:
Get your little known facts straight before you post nasty and misspelt rubbish
little known fact.
This song is about Richard Nixons sister who Cohen was stuffing with his pink pork sword thoughtout the 60s. The doity dog
Get your little known facts straight before you post nasty and misspelt rubbish
His voice really changed over the years.
and think about his following album, "songs of love and hate"
wow
wow
pinto wrote:
And I thought it was a young Al Pacino
Whether you like the song or not, you have to admit that that's a great album cover photo of Dustin Hoffman.
And I thought it was a young Al Pacino
Stetsonman wrote:
Why would you post nonsense like this?
little known fact.
This song is about Richard Nixons sister who Cohen was stuffing with his pink pork sword thoughtout the 60s. The doity dog
Why would you post nonsense like this?
pinto wrote:
Hahaha! I thought it was Adam Sandler!
Whether you like the song or not, you have to admit that that's a great album cover photo of Dustin Hoffman.
Hahaha! I thought it was Adam Sandler!
Takes me right back to being 18 years old...can't ever get enough of this 
RP could benefit from playing cuts from his Songs from a Room album and we would all laugh with "it's closing time"
Would be better without the backup singer.
Our guy! Actually talked to him once. Somebody at a party in Vancouver had a phone number for him. He was living in New Jersey at the time.. He was very gracious considering we were all drunk!
little known fact.
This song is about Richard Nixons sister who Cohen was stuffing with his pink pork sword thoughtout the 60s. The doity dog
This song is about Richard Nixons sister who Cohen was stuffing with his pink pork sword thoughtout the 60s. The doity dog
pinto wrote:
Or a young Anthony Bourdain!
Whether you like the song or not, you have to admit that that's a great album cover photo of Dustin Hoffman.
Or a young Anthony Bourdain!
God Bless Leonard Cohen.
pinto wrote:
I see a young Al Pacino myself
Whether you like the song or not, you have to admit that that's a great album cover photo of Dustin Hoffman.
I see a young Al Pacino myself
I kinda prefer falsetto Cohen over Basso/Baritone Cohen.
pinto wrote:
And there's a good one of Anthony Bourdain for Cohen's Wikipedia page.
Master of disguise....
Whether you like the song or not, you have to admit that that's a great album cover photo of Dustin Hoffman.
And there's a good one of Anthony Bourdain for Cohen's Wikipedia page.
Master of disguise....
Chwkbud wrote:
Opposite for me. To me it's his one overtly pop effort. Kind of a French romance film of the 60s put to music. He was young...
From the 'music is subjective' file: this is the ONE LC song performance that doesn't force me to hit the skip button...
Opposite for me. To me it's his one overtly pop effort. Kind of a French romance film of the 60s put to music. He was young...
From the 'music is subjective' file: this is the ONE LC song performance that doesn't force me to hit the skip button...
pinto wrote:Whether you like the song or not, you have to admit that that's a great album cover photo of Dustin Hoffman.
Godlike is an enormous understatement !!!! 100/10
poesia allo stato puro - superfantastica
pinto wrote:
Geez, and I thought he looked like Pacino as Michael Corleone.
Whether you like the song or not, you have to admit that that's a great album cover photo of Dustin Hoffman.
Geez, and I thought he looked like Pacino as Michael Corleone.
pinto wrote:
While was all the time Hustin Doffman
Whether you like the song or not, you have to admit that that's a great album cover photo of Dustin Hoffman.
While was all the time Hustin Doffman
Whether you like the song or not, you have to admit that that's a great album cover photo of Dustin Hoffman.
timmus wrote:
Nancy Priddy went to high school in south bend In in the middle 50s and spent a long time on the New York Stage. She sometimes hosted a local tv dance show on Saturdays called Hoosier Favorite and once, with the camera tight on her face, dedicated a Platters song to my brother because he was always walking the hallways of the school singing the song. I think it was The Great Pretender. and if I remember correctly, she was even more gorgeous than her daughter.
Interesting bit of trivia... according to the Wikipedia notes for the album, the female backing vocal on this track is Nancy Priddy, mother of actress Christina Applegate.
Nancy Priddy went to high school in south bend In in the middle 50s and spent a long time on the New York Stage. She sometimes hosted a local tv dance show on Saturdays called Hoosier Favorite and once, with the camera tight on her face, dedicated a Platters song to my brother because he was always walking the hallways of the school singing the song. I think it was The Great Pretender. and if I remember correctly, she was even more gorgeous than her daughter.
There seems to be something gentlemanly about this and many of Cohen's songs.
A new documentary called Marianne & Leonard: Words of Love came out in 2019. My brother tells me it's very good. Looking forward to seeing it.
A new documentary called Marianne & Leonard: Words of Love came out in 2019. My brother tells me it's very good. Looking forward to seeing it.
Love this song Leonard Cohen is a poet, and now I know the story behind this song , very sad
Stingray wrote:
Therapy needed here. You're not really listening to it, obviously. But you are YELLING
HORRIBLE-HORRIBLE GUY!
I literally hate his "music" and "singing"
RIDICULOUS!
I literally hate his "music" and "singing"
RIDICULOUS!
Therapy needed here. You're not really listening to it, obviously. But you are YELLING
Laptopdog wrote:
Well, Neil sounded like Leonard, actually.
Never realized how much the early Cohen sounded like Neil Diamond.
Well, Neil sounded like Leonard, actually.
Proclivities wrote:
I as well. Tina Louise was pretty attractive:
If you like absolutely gorgeous classy women.
I as well. Tina Louise was pretty attractive:
If you like absolutely gorgeous classy women.
Love it !
Those back up voices are angelic!
Nurs wrote:
Enough about your comments there Nurs…..and this old (as in young) LC track is getting a +1 from me....So Long 7 and Long Live RP!!
Boring, darn, boring.
Enough about your comments there Nurs…..and this old (as in young) LC track is getting a +1 from me....So Long 7 and Long Live RP!!
alisathegreat wrote:
Nah, his deeper voiced stuff, contrasted with gorgeous backing vocals, branded him as something unique and special. This was not special at all for 1967.
This is probably the only song I really like from Leonard Cohen. I don't like his later deep throated drivel.
Nah, his deeper voiced stuff, contrasted with gorgeous backing vocals, branded him as something unique and special. This was not special at all for 1967.
Whoa, is this before testosterone shots?
Stingray wrote:
WRONG!
More S, when it comes to this awful guy!
I could beat him all day long!
I "HATE" all he represents. ALL!!!!
My number-1 hate-figure!
Five years later, you'd fit right in with a certain group reemerging in Western societies.
WRONG!
More S, when it comes to this awful guy!
I could beat him all day long!
I "HATE" all he represents. ALL!!!!
My number-1 hate-figure!
Five years later, you'd fit right in with a certain group reemerging in Western societies.
Foot wrote:
At this pace, you might consider skipping over the many intermediate steps and go straight to a double or triple dog dare. We're not getting any younger.
I dare RP to play the Straitjacket Fits (New Zealand) version circa 1988.
At this pace, you might consider skipping over the many intermediate steps and go straight to a double or triple dog dare. We're not getting any younger.
Anything by Leonard is an 8 or above
This is probably the only song I really like from Leonard Cohen. I don't like his later deep throated drivel.
An older slower version, please.
Egctheow wrote:
LOL...he does strike a resemblance for sure!
Man, that Adam Sandler character has unknown depths 😁
LOL...he does strike a resemblance for sure!
Man, that Adam Sandler character has unknown depths 😁
Chwkbud wrote:
I used to not care too much for his works but after seeing his tribute concert on CBC (called "Tower of Song a tribute to...") I discovered a respect for his music. I ended up buying his Live in London triple album(vinyl) and downloaded the "Essential LC". I erred in never enjoying his stuff enough to see him live. A great artiste.
the only recording by L.Cohen that I can listen to in its entirety without hitting 'advance'.
I used to not care too much for his works but after seeing his tribute concert on CBC (called "Tower of Song a tribute to...") I discovered a respect for his music. I ended up buying his Live in London triple album(vinyl) and downloaded the "Essential LC". I erred in never enjoying his stuff enough to see him live. A great artiste.
Interesting bit of trivia... according to the Wikipedia notes for the album, the female backing vocal on this track is Nancy Priddy, mother of actress Christina Applegate.
All Cohen Works are a 10. Full stop.
the only recording by L.Cohen that I can listen to in its entirety without hitting 'advance'.
Never realized how much the early Cohen sounded like Neil Diamond.
Boring, darn, boring.
I dare RP to play the Straitjacket Fits (New Zealand) version circa 1988.
Posted 1 year ago by Foot
Posted 1 year ago by Foot
melzabutch wrote:
I looked it up and here is the link, GREAT
https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/fromthevaults/4748/straitjacket-fits-so-long-marianne-1990/
Excellent! Thank you.
canada's poet laureate of music.
Fantastic LC song....
Second time I hear this song. I like it!!!
Became Leonard Cohen fan thanks to RP a couple years ago.
This song is really good!!!
Decoy wrote:
a full octave higher here
he sounded so young here.
a full octave higher here
Oh wow, I guess I need to listen to more Leonard Cohen, because I've never heard the original version of this where his voice is almost unrecognizable to what I'm more familiar with later in his life/career.
Decoy wrote:
Yes his voice had not dropped to the gravelly bass we associate with his later years. Actually he was actually trying to sing then before he gave up on that and adopted the talky talky style .
he sounded so young here.
Yes his voice had not dropped to the gravelly bass we associate with his later years. Actually he was actually trying to sing then before he gave up on that and adopted the talky talky style .
Ahhhh, songs of love and hate.
milesfinn wrote:
Timeless quote. Amazing Poet.... See you down the road Leonard.
Here's part of the Wikipedia entry, OMG:
The song was inspired by Marianne Jensen,. . . Marianne Ihlen died in hospital in Oslo on 28 July 2016, aged 81. Cohen wrote to her shortly before her death, saying: "Know that I am so close behind you that if you stretch out your hand, I think you can reach mine... Goodbye old friend. Endless love, see you down the road." He died three months later, on November 7.
Timeless quote. Amazing Poet.... See you down the road Leonard.
he sounded so young here.
Foot wrote:
I looked it up and here is the link, GREAT
https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/fromthevaults/4748/straitjacket-fits-so-long-marianne-1990/
I dare RP to play the Straitjacket Fits (New Zealand) version circa 1988.
I looked it up and here is the link, GREAT
https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/fromthevaults/4748/straitjacket-fits-so-long-marianne-1990/
this song has been with me all my life
so long, Mr. Cohen
until it is time to
laugh about it all again
so long, Mr. Cohen
until it is time to
laugh about it all again
Stingray wrote:
What a truly sad person you are.....................
WRONG!
More S, when it comes to this awful guy!
I could beat him all day long!
I "HATE" all he represents. ALL!!!!
My number-1 hate-figure!
What a truly sad person you are.....................
dave216j wrote:
And god knows we need help more now than ever before. It hurts when they leave us.
Wish you were here to help us make sense of this darkness, Leonard. So long.
And god knows we need help more now than ever before. It hurts when they leave us.
Here's part of the Wikipedia entry, OMG:
The song was inspired by Marianne Jensen,. . . Marianne Ihlen died in hospital in Oslo on 28 July 2016, aged 81. Cohen wrote to her shortly before her death, saying: "Know that I am so close behind you that if you stretch out your hand, I think you can reach mine... Goodbye old friend. Endless love, see you down the road." He died three months later, on November 7.
I dare RP to play the Straitjacket Fits (New Zealand) version circa 1988.
Farewell to one of the greatest poets - and a truly human being. We will miss you!
ps Some of the comments here - Stingray - explain the state of things now..................
ps Some of the comments here - Stingray - explain the state of things now..................
I truly thank you very much for all your words
Do a good trip
and come back soon
this dark world needs your wisdom
Ah remember me, I used to live for music
Remember me, I brought your groceries in
Well it's Father's Day and everybody's wounded
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin
Remember me, I brought your groceries in
Well it's Father's Day and everybody's wounded
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin
Thank you Leonard, for great songs and poetry, RIP
So long.. 
aw hell, another inspiring spirit reaches his end : ( will only think positive about his strong work
How poignant, written four months ago. A legend is gone.So long Leonard. It was a great ride. Closing Time.
A true talent, so long, Leonard.
Wish you were here to help us make sense of this darkness, Leonard. So long.
RIP :(
RIP Leonard, and thank you.
Stingray wrote:
Come back, Stingray. We laugh at you, but in a good way.
When the only songs of Cohen's that I knew were this and "Susanne", I was amazed. Now that he's ruined his voice, Leonard has worn out his gravelly welcome on RP.
WRONG!
More S, when it comes to this awful guy!
I could beat him all day long!
I "HATE" all he represents. ALL!!!!
My number-1 hate-figure!
Come back, Stingray. We laugh at you, but in a good way.
When the only songs of Cohen's that I knew were this and "Susanne", I was amazed. Now that he's ruined his voice, Leonard has worn out his gravelly welcome on RP.
Al Pacino sings Cohen's early hits!
Similar sound to some early rolling stones
PopKombo wrote:
Why not both?
which brings up the question. Marianne or Ginger?
Why not both?
Great use of this song in the movie Pirate Radio which was quite enjoyable.
Now this is the Leonard Cohen that I enjoy! He sounds so moribund these days; I wish we could hear more of his early stuff on this station.
Wow Bill is really on a LC roll these days....don't think I've ever heard so much on RP before - not that it is a bad thing!
zepher wrote:
Mary ann
Poor Mary Ann, or is it Marianne....
Mary ann
Vale, Andrew McLean of Perth, Australia, who taught me this song, when we were almost young. Thank you for playing it.
which brings up the question. Marianne or Ginger?
It took this trip into his past for me to discover what exactly bothers me so much about Leonard Cohen.
He's a clone of Rod McKuen.
Thanks, Bill!
He's a clone of Rod McKuen.
Thanks, Bill!
boober wrote:
I was always a Ginger fan. Married a redhead!
I as well. Tina Louise was pretty attractive:
I was always a Ginger fan. Married a redhead!
I as well. Tina Louise was pretty attractive:
zepher wrote:
I was always a Ginger fan. Married a redhead!
Poor Mary Ann, or is it Marianne....
I was always a Ginger fan. Married a redhead!
Listen...Just play the entire "Songs of Love and Hate" album.
It's a masterpiece...maybe even making Bobby Dylan a little jealous.
It's a masterpiece...maybe even making Bobby Dylan a little jealous.
Great song, great transition by RP. The music stream to which one has become accustomed.
Pure. Gold. Thank you for playing this.
Man I love those backup vocals.
Long time ago i heared this. LC is a poet!
Might be a great poet, but a musician he ain't. Agree with Stingray on this one - just awful
Stingray is just a troll. He's fishing for people to take his bait. He just want's someone to love him. Come here little guy, I'll give you a hug. There, there. Now, go back and play on your computer. That's a good boy.
Stingray wrote:Use the PSD button. As for the personal attacks, unless you know him personally, refrain from calling names, please.
HORRIBLE-HORRIBLE GUY!
I literally hate his "music" and "singing"
RIDICULOUS!
Stingray wrote:
exactly my take on 99% of your rants. why do you persist in being tormented by R.P.'S habit of playing fantastic music? go back to clear channel of where ever your happy........
I wish I had the means to SHUT this old,
never-ending disharmonic WHINER up!
Unbearable!
never-ending disharmonic WHINER up!
Unbearable!
exactly my take on 99% of your rants. why do you persist in being tormented by R.P.'S habit of playing fantastic music? go back to clear channel of where ever your happy........
Poor Mary Ann, or is it Marianne....
oh thank the gods for psd, got The Spinners "I'll be Around"!!!! THAT is Real music, sorry Cohen, this one is awful
songs of his, this old numbly produced version does it no favors.
There's such an astoundingly beautiful version on the 'Live From London' set - w/the Webb Sisters . And, imop, would be a better, more compelling, threshold/introduction for those new to his genius.
That said, I'm down with any and all LC.