Tuesday, September 08, 2009

Ring the Bells that Still Can Ring...

I know this is probably old news to so many of you, but yesterday was truly the first time I'd listened to Leonard Cohen's "Anthem" the whole way through, and read all the lyrics. I'd heard quotes from it before, but never stuck it out. Here's a beautiful version of it from YouTube, and the lyrics follow. I hope that it nourishes your spirit today.



"Anthem"

The birds they sang
at the break of day
Start again
I heard them say
Don't dwell on what
has passed away
or what is yet to be.
Ah the wars they will
be fought again
The holy dove
She will be caught again
bought and sold
and bought again
the dove is never free.

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.

We asked for signs
the signs were sent:
the birth betrayed
the marriage spent
Yeah the widowhood
of every government --
signs for all to see.

I can't run no more
with that lawless crowd
while the killers in high places
say their prayers out loud.
But they've summoned, they've summoned up
a thundercloud
and they're going to hear from me.

Ring the bells that still can ring ...

You can add up the parts
but you won't have the sum
You can strike up the march,
there is no drum
Every heart, every heart
to love will come
but like a refugee.

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.
That's how the light gets in.
That's how the light gets in.


[ www.azlyrics.com ]

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Don't you love that voice? He's amazing.

Lauralew said...

Great song. I must have been out of touch big time as I've only in the last few months have started hearing of Cohen. Thanks for posting this--and thanks for stopping by my poor neglected blog!

Sue said...

One of my favourites from Leonard. I also love Hallelujah.