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Leonard Cohen — So Long, Marianne (live)
Album: Live in London
Avg rating:
7.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3138









Released: 2009
Length: 5:23
Plays (last 30 days): 3
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.
Comments (119)add comment
Using the measure of [musicality + lyrics + can listen repeatedly]… this is an 8.
Even if LC himself is a permanent 10 for the significant impact he left on music and poetry.
I miss Leonard and I miss my friend and love from a past life, John. This song is SO deep.
 hunter14 wrote:

I never understood whyhe is so popular. He can't really sing and many of his lyrics are very clicheish



He's not for everyone. No shame in that. I'm told Joanie Mitchell has a transcendently beautiful voice, but it sounds like fingernails on a chalkboard to me. Some people just don't get it.
 GeorgeMWoods wrote:

He’s putting us on, right?



"Putting us on" to some great music. Absolutely.
 GeorgeMWoods wrote:

He’s putting us on, right?



The pop radio station is right over there, maybe more of your speed...
He’s putting us on, right?
 hunter14 wrote:

I never understood whyhe is so popular. He can't really sing and many of his lyrics are very clicheish



Go listen to this album. Songs of Love and Hate.

Then maybe you'll get it. 

C'mon. 

Play some songs or one album side from his best album: Songs of Love and Hate.

Your jaws will drop when you here some of these songs. 
Harmonica?
The film of Leonard’s London O2 concerts is utterly splendid. 
 zepher wrote:


Oh jeez...  
Great song. For anyone looking for an even better reimagining, look no further than British band James. It was also included in the excellent "I'm Your Fan" anthology of Cohen covers. YouTube
So - those of you who never “got” poetry will never get LC. I had a girlfriend in my early 20’s and she was amazing and beautiful and incredibly deep spirited. Anne. She gave me L Cohen and I lost her due to my foolish ego and arrogance… I like to think I learned something about myself in that relationship. Love you still Anne.
 xrdstv wrote:

I was in elementary school when I read LC's The Favourite Game.

Way too young to understand some things, and it set-me-up for a slightly different look at love. 



oooo, this is an interesting comment. i'm intrigued and am going to have to check out that book.
off
the
charts
perfect
You left when I told you I was curious, I never said that I was brave. Beautiful
I never understood whyhe is so popular. He can't really sing and many of his lyrics are very clicheish
Weird, when this song was starting and I heard the guitars, I thought it was going to be some 1980s Steve Winwood, like "Back In The High Life".
 Boy_Wonder wrote:


And RIP Leonard...





  
 mach-hog wrote:

The DVD of his performance at London's O2 arena was superb. He OWNS IT!!!




I saw him perform at a small amphitheater in Istanbul that tour. Magic magic magic!
I was in elementary school when I read LC's The Favourite Game.

Way too young to understand some things, and it set-me-up for a slightly different look at love. 
rave on, john donne, rave on...
Brilliant harmonica solo
He's 76 when he's singing this.  He aged into his own lyrics. He was always a poet. 
Literally crying hearing this song and thinking of how powerfully Cohen's songs affected so many, and how she heard Bird On The Wire hummed as she passed. Godlike is the only rating that fits. 
 liveaudio608 wrote:

The only image that I'm getting is an old perv in a trench coat near a bus stop.  Pant legs held up by rubber bands.



Oh you're looking for Aqualung right?
For all of you that love his music should see Live in London concert on DVD or elsewhere available with 5.1 DD (or better) sound.
I first saw it on PBS long ago and received a DVD from Santa very next Christmas. 
What an amazing concert. Impeccable musicianship, heavenly backup vocals and the master himself.
hello...I am Wolfgang (68 years) from Germany. Your radio station is great, I haven't listened to any other radio station for days... there are so many good (and some bad) memories from the music on your radio...thanks for that...now I'm still waiting for Exsuma and The obeah man and similar almost forgotten great songs...
The only image that I'm getting is an old perv in a trench coat near a bus stop.  Pant legs held up by rubber bands.
cheer up Leon Cohend
things aint that bad
 geonuine wrote:
Magnificent  An easy 10.


By far his best, and that really says something
Magnificent  An easy 10.
love his later voice, but the backup singers got a little silly sounding on some songs (something to laugh at?)
Such a beautiful song! During COVID important not to forget to laugh (and cry)
#RIP Leonard Cohen.  We miss you.  
How is this only a 7.3, this is one of the most moving songs ever written and an amazing live arrangement. One of my 71/~2500 "10" rated songs
One of the best versions of a time. He was the best at using backup singers!!!
 dublanica wrote:
Sorry but he more often than not annoys the hell out of me!
Maybe if he had just been a songwriter and let others perform his works, I may have found some appreciation.
 
I suggest you turn down the volume and read the lyrics then. I love the power of this song.
 siriusrising wrote:
This is tragic. He should have quit way before his voice got that bad.
 
Still better than Tom Waits.
This is tragic. He should have quit way before his voice got that bad.
 jhorton wrote:
Lady in the trailer across from me says, " That's just orrible!"

She's from one of those places near England. Like, Wales or Denmark or something. 
 
How are things in your trailer park?

Tired of winning yet?


 jackpine_savage wrote:
 Sweet_Virginia wrote:

Did you listen to the words. He is a poet on the level of Dylan and his voice has the growl of the experience to go with it...

 



I am with you. Just don't dig it one bit.
 
IMHO Dylan wrote about 50% of the great songs

Leonard wrote about 25%

Most of the rest are one hit wonders

YMMV


 ImaOldman wrote:
Never noticed before how much his wiki page photo looks like Anthony Bourdain (or vice versa).
 
Anthony Who?
 F A N T A S T I C A!
I really enjoyed the DVD of this concert. It's a bit long at over 3 hours, so you may want to watch it in 2 sessions. I also found interesting the interview that Sharon Robinson gave to Rolling Stone about this tour (google Sharon Robinson Cohen tour)
Never noticed before how much his wiki page photo looks like Anthony Bourdain (or vice versa).
Wow.  Cohen, N. Young, and the Belfast Cowboy  for the few last songs. 

No, there ya go. 
This man deserves an 8 or above
The DVD of his performance at London's O2 arena was superb. He OWNS IT!!!
9 on this one Beautiful Song
Sorry but he more often than not annoys the hell out of me!
Maybe if he had just been a songwriter and let others perform his works, I may have found some appreciation.
There is a new documentary "Marianne & Leonard:  Words of Love" which is the most beautiful background into the relationship between the song writer and his muse/lover - do catch it
I cannot follow the current medium rating of 7.1 here, it's a solid 9 to me... what a great singer songwriter he was! cult to me.
I so miss LC what a great talent
Wow is this kinda eyes-back-in-head good! So right right now. (And this from the biggest non-Leonard Cohen fan fan on RP. )
I always thought his singing voice sounded like an obscene phone caller.

one of my favorites of Cohen.
great art sometimes cuts a bit too close the bone as does this song and the stories around it. grace comes to mind. 
just superb
Been listening to LC since the '60's. But, really. Who thought that harmonica was a good idea? 




                   Heart wrenching.
                   -
                   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ACgCmBubb4



 

 zepher wrote:

I saw this article a few weeks ago on Rolling Stone:

...after he informed Cohen of Ihlen's looming death from leukemia, the legendary singer-songwriter-poet responded two hours later with a "beautiful" letter, which Mollestad then read to Ihlen.

"It said, 'Well Marianne it's come to this time when we are really so old and our bodies are falling apart and I think I will follow you very soon. Know that I am so close behind you that if you stretch out your hand, I think you can reach mine," Mollestad told the CBC of Cohen's letter.

"'And you know that I've always loved you for your beauty and your wisdom, but I don't need to say anything more about that because you know all about that. But now, I just want to wish you a very good journey. Goodbye old friend. Endless love, see you down the road.'"

Two days later, Ihlen "lost consciousness and slipped into death," Mollestad said. Her funeral was held Friday in her native Oslo, Norway.

Cohen met Ihlen in the Sixties while vacationing on the Greek Island in Hydra; he ultimately invited her and her infant son to live with him in Montreal. Ihlen and Cohen remained together for the next seven years, with their relationship serving as Cohen's inspiration for Songs of Leonard Cohen's "So Long, Marianne" and "Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye" and Songs From a Room's "Bird on the Wire."

Cohen's verified Facebook page also remembered Ihlen with a series of written tributes from her friends and Cohen biographers as well as a letter Mollestad wrote to Cohen informing the singer of Ihlen's death.

"Your letter came when she still could talk and laugh in full consciousness. When we read it aloud, she smiled as only Marianne can. She lifted her hand, when you said you were right behind, close enough to reach her. It gave her deep peace of mind that you knew her condition. And your blessing for the journey gave her extra strength," Mollestad wrote.

"In her last hour I held her hand and hummed 'Bird on a Wire,' while she was breathing so lightly. And when we left he room, after her soul had flown out of the window for new adventures, we kissed her head and whispered your everlasting words: So long, Marianne."



  Thank you, that was awesome.


gods die
their songs echo
through time


 kylieh wrote:
I know Leonard Cohen is great and all that, but...somehow I just don't have the LC gene that makes me think he's the god that others do. I think it's like Monty Python. Some people (like me) think they're amazing, and others just don't get it. Such is life.

 
It's ok i do not think he is a god, but I think he is a amazing song writer. I also like Monty Python...
I know Leonard Cohen is great and all that, but...somehow I just don't have the LC gene that makes me think he's the god that others do. I think it's like Monty Python. Some people (like me) think they're amazing, and others just don't get it. Such is life.
Rest in peace Leonard. Perhaps you can see Marianne again?
 robinthegreen wrote:
Rest in peace, Marianne.

 

And RIP Leonard...


yws I'm curious but then why lilac park?
Leonard and Marianne,

A link to a programme done by the BBC:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00csph9

Good read about Cohen and his Marianne:

https://montrealgazette.com/entertainment/arts/marianne-ihlen-more-than-leonard-cohens-muse

Cohen & Marianne Ihlen, 1963
 robinthegreen wrote:
Rest in peace, Marianne.

 
I saw this article a few weeks ago on Rolling Stone:

...after he informed Cohen of Ihlen's looming death from leukemia, the legendary singer-songwriter-poet responded two hours later with a "beautiful" letter, which Mollestad then read to Ihlen.

"It said, 'Well Marianne it's come to this time when we are really so old and our bodies are falling apart and I think I will follow you very soon. Know that I am so close behind you that if you stretch out your hand, I think you can reach mine," Mollestad told the CBC of Cohen's letter.

"'And you know that I've always loved you for your beauty and your wisdom, but I don't need to say anything more about that because you know all about that. But now, I just want to wish you a very good journey. Goodbye old friend. Endless love, see you down the road.'"

Two days later, Ihlen "lost consciousness and slipped into death," Mollestad said. Her funeral was held Friday in her native Oslo, Norway.

Cohen met Ihlen in the Sixties while vacationing on the Greek Island in Hydra; he ultimately invited her and her infant son to live with him in Montreal. Ihlen and Cohen remained together for the next seven years, with their relationship serving as Cohen's inspiration for Songs of Leonard Cohen's "So Long, Marianne" and "Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye" and Songs From a Room's "Bird on the Wire."

Cohen's verified Facebook page also remembered Ihlen with a series of written tributes from her friends and Cohen biographers as well as a letter Mollestad wrote to Cohen informing the singer of Ihlen's death.

"Your letter came when she still could talk and laugh in full consciousness. When we read it aloud, she smiled as only Marianne can. She lifted her hand, when you said you were right behind, close enough to reach her. It gave her deep peace of mind that you knew her condition. And your blessing for the journey gave her extra strength," Mollestad wrote.

"In her last hour I held her hand and hummed 'Bird on a Wire,' while she was breathing so lightly. And when we left he room, after her soul had flown out of the window for new adventures, we kissed her head and whispered your everlasting words: So long, Marianne."


 ProfessionalGeek wrote:
Great song, but it sounds like somebody is playing the record too slow. {#Cheesygrin}

 
Just might be what Kurt Cobain meant by "...a Leonard Cohen after-world...?
Great song, but it sounds like somebody is playing the record too slow. {#Cheesygrin}
Canada's Rod McKuen. There's just one word for it: insipid.

Fortunately it's easily forgotten, so doesn't rise to earworm status. Therefore not hateable.
Rest in peace, Marianne.
A scrumptious voice, especially at his age, no matter how "cheesy" he may appear to some, and I love the Hammond 100 with the Leslie kiss.... thanks RP! 
Must have been one helluva concert.

Indeed, the master at work. 
The master at work.
 
sorry Len : (     (psd and get  Mayall's California : )
Love this song but not so much this non-musical, theatrical version.
mouthharmonie very nice. Sorry, I speak only a little english.
Belated birthday greetings Leonard.  ( September 21st. 1934)  Watched this concert at the weekend - magnificent!{#Clap}{#Good-vibes}{#Sunny}
Aw, Bill, thas jus' turrible! TURRIBLE!



 
sexiest octogenarian alive!

Great song.  Great live version.  I love Leonard.



 
 ScottN wrote:
I'll disagree with some other posters and say: Cohen's work in his later years is superb.  His voice s actually better now, imo. His concert tour a couple years ago was amazing (and expensive—think Rolling Stones tix X 5!).

 


I agree his last world tour was amazing - we loved it....but it wasn't that expensive, just normal price for world class acts, and about half the cost of the RStones
 johnjconn wrote:


This guy love Len

 
good taste in burro's, great taste in music......{#Sunny}



Any and ALL Leonard is GREAT TO HEAR.......{#Dance}
Are there no letters in the mailbox?

Are there no grapes upon the vine?

Are there no chocolates in your boxes anymore,

Are there no diamonds in your mine?            


Yesh baby! Songs of Love and Death! 
  
 Lazarus wrote:

Everybody in my churches loves this live version...
 

 
I'm with you there, rt. Love this song, and this live version does it justice :)

Everybody in my churches loves this live version...
 
He's singing about Maryanne from Gilligans Island ,,,right
 Sweet_Virginia wrote:

Did you listen to the words. He is a poet on the level of Dylan and his voice has the growl of the experience to go with it...

 



I am with you. Just don't dig it one bit.
 mhbrowne wrote:
To each his own but this guy is unlistenable to me. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate some singers with non-traditional voices (Neil Young), but PSD um like forever.

 
Did you listen to the words. He is a poet on the level of Dylan and his voice has the growl of the experience to go with it...
To each his own but this guy is unlistenable to me. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate some singers with non-traditional voices (Neil Young), but PSD um like forever.
I'll disagree with some other posters and say: Cohen's work in his later years is superb.  His voice s actually better now, imo. His concert tour a couple years ago was amazing (and expensive—think Rolling Stones tix X 5!).
On a great roll RP!! Thank you.  ;D
 BlueHeronDruid wrote:
It's time for this old man to stop flogging his past. Or present. Oy.
 

Yeah, I'd rather remember how he sounded with the 1970(?) recording than this weak performance...
It's time for this old man to stop flogging his past. Or present. Oy.
 gemtag wrote:
Way too much Cohen played here.

If you want to play songwriters that can't sing a lick then mix in some Lou Read from time to time. 
 
Hear hear! More Reed! Less Cohen!
I know I'll have my Canadian citizenship revoked for saying this: but Leonard Cohen sucks. I love his songs when someone ELSE sings them.
 jhorton wrote:
Lady in the trailer across from me says, " That's just orrible!"

She's from one of those places near England. Like, Wales or Denmark or something. 
 
So?
 kingart wrote:
Cohen's a great songwriter. But couldn't he on occasion compose and sing one that doesn't sound like...a funeral ballad? 
 
{#Wink} Funny. 
But all things considered, after 50 years of Cohen-esque 'hallelujahs' and laments, this song sounds rather...upbeat. Hell, for a second there he almost sounds like Neil Diamond. 
Lady in the trailer across from me says, " That's just orrible!"

She's from one of those places near England. Like, Wales or Denmark or something. 
Not nearly as good as his original recording way back when.
Cohen's a great songwriter. But couldn't he on occasion compose and sing one that doesn't sound like...a funeral ballad? 
Leonard Cohen is the shit.  period.
Way too much Cohen played here.

If you want to play songwriters that can't sing a lick then mix in some Lou Read from time to time. 
I love my Montréal homey: Leonard
Me neither.
Tedious, and to my ears his voice sounds terrible and slightly creepy. I know he's an icon, but this song's not for me.

....and then the angels forget to pray for us......

...nice!..

...the contrast over the decades is striking, but this one works quite well... 
Just saw the video of this concert last week - Great performance considering he is in his mid to late 70's.
Pity this is in the library and still hasn't been played.  His reading of this So Long..., like the rest of the cd/dvd, is very good.  He is in remarkable voice for a 75 year old man who recently concluded a 246 stop tour.  Now that's a comeback tour (and retrieves millions stolen by his ex-business manager).