Today they've announced the Prince of Asturias for letters 2011, awarded to the Canadian singer-songwriter, novelist and poet Leonard Cohen. Considered one of the most influential authors of our time, his poems and songs have beautifully explored the major issues of humanity in great depth. His work often explores religion, isolation, sexuality and interpersonal relationships. Famously reclusive, having once spent several years in a Zen Buddhist monastery, and possessing a persona frequently associated with mystique, he is extremely well regarded by critics for his literary accomplishments, for the richness of his lyrics, and for producing an output of work of high artistic quality over a five-decade career.(wikipedia)
When I was a teenager I was in love with his deep voice and the messages he sent, and I still am today. Wonderful man, wonderful songs. It's been hard to choose one for this post. Let me recommend a few: Take this waltz (where he translates and puts music to Lorca and his Poet in New York), Suzanne (my first love), Hey, that's no way to say goodbye...
Here's my final choice, Hallelujah. There are different versions of this song (with slightly different lyrics) and different covers by many artists. It is maybe his most popular song and one of the best in my opinion. I'm posting one of the original videos from the 1980s. My favourite verses are not included in this version though so I'm just including them here:
There was a time you let me know
What's really going on below
But now you never show it to me, do you?
And remember when I moved in with you
The holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah
Maybe there’s a God above
But all I’ve ever learned from love
Was how to shoot at someone who outdrew you
It’s not a cry you can hear at night
It’s not somebody who has seen the light
It’s a cold and it’s a broken Hallelujah
And now, on with the song. Enjoy!
I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you to a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
Baby I have been here before
I know this room, I've walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew you.
I've seen your flag on the marble arch
Love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
You say I took the name in vain
I don't even know the name
But if I did, well really, what's it to you?
There's a blaze of light in every word
It doesn't matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
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
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Leonard Cohen was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2010. The following is a news clip about the event:
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