Song of the Day: Alexandra Leaving by Leonard Cohen

So it’s a very nice mellow track for your Sunday morning! It’s now the third SOFD post this week by some kind-of miracle or something?

It’s from an old album by Cohen that was entitled simply Ten New Songs of 2001. All those songs were co-written with Sharon Robinson who featured on the front cover with Lenny. It was almost a ten year gap in-between his studio album this time around but I really loved this one, could be one of his best? But he followed it with my least liked album by LC with Dear Heather of 2004, if you do wanna know? Anyway here’s the full album stream of Ten New Songs on youtube:

Alexandra Leaving lyrics:

Suddenly the night has grown colder
The god of love preparing to depart
Alexandra hoisted on his shoulder
They slip between the sentries of the heart

Upheld by the simplicities of pleasure
They gain the light, they formlessly entwine;
And radiant beyond your widest measure
They fall among the voices and the wine

It’s not a trick, your senses all deceiving
A fitful dream, the morning will exhaust –
Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving
Then say goodbye to Alexandra lost

Even though she sleeps upon your satin;
Even though she wakes you with a kiss
Do not say the moment was imagined;
Do not stoop to strategies like this

As someone long prepared for this to happen
Go firmly to the window. Drink it in
Exquisite music. Alexandra laughing
Your first commitments tangible again

And you who had the honor of her evening
And by that honor had your own restored –
Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving;
Alexandra leaving with her lord

Even though she sleeps upon your satin;
Even though she wakes you with a kiss
Do not say the moment was imagined;
Do not stoop to strategies like this

As someone long prepared for the occasion;
In full command of every plan you wrecked –
Do not choose a coward’s explanation
That hides behind the cause and the effect

And you who were bewildered by a meaning;
Whose code was broken, crucifix uncrossed –
Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving
Then say goodbye to Alexandra lost

Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving
Then say goodbye to Alexandra lost

Sharon Robinson (right) and Leonard Cohen having a drink!

Cheers! 🙂

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