Alexandra Leaving
Leonard Cohen Lyrics
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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 the 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
The song "Alexandra Leaving" by Leonard Cohen is a beautiful piece that speaks about love, loss, and the fleeting nature of time. The song is a poetic portrayal of a couple's last moments together before they part ways forever. The opening lines set the mood beautifully, "Suddenly the night has grown colder, The god of love preparing to depart". The couple is aware that their time together is limited and they must make the most of it. Alexandra is portrayed as being hoisted on the shoulder of the god of love as they move past "the sentries of the heart".
As the couple makes their way into the night, they are "upheld by the simplicities of pleasure". They live in the moment, and their love surpasses any measure of this world. However, the moment is fleeting, and they are conscious of it. The next day, "the morning will exhaust" their fitful dream, and they must say goodbye to Alexandra leaving. The lyrics urge the listener not to dismiss the moment as imagined and not to stoop to strategies like this as they say goodbye.
In the final verse, the song takes a philosophical turn. The listener is implored to not choose a coward's explanation, hiding behind the cause and effect. The song seems to be asking the listener to let go of all their rationalizations and accept the inevitability of loss. The song's final message is poignant, "Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving, Then say goodbye to Alexandra lost". In essence, the song is asking the listener to appreciate and cherish the beautiful moments of their lives when they have them, and to let them go gracefully when they must.
Line by Line Meaning
Suddenly the night has grown colder
The singer has realized that a change is happening.
The god of love preparing to depart
A metaphor: the love that the singer knew is about to end.
Alexandra hoisted on his shoulder,
Alexandra believed in love but is now being carried away by the departing love.
They slip between the sentries of the heart
Love is not bound by the constraints of the human heart.
Upheld by the simplicities of pleasure
Their love, while simple, is still powerful.
They gain the light, they formlessly entwine
Their passion grows and overtakes them.
And radiant beyond your widest measure
Their love is immeasurably beautiful and intense.
They fall among the voices and the wine
They become lost in the moment, surrounded by other revelers.
It's not a trick, your senses all deceiving
The artist is aware that the love is real and intense, not just a fleeting attraction.
A fitful dream, the morning will exhaust
The intense passion and love will fade with daylight.
Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving
Acknowledge that Alexandra is leaving, a sense of loss and finality.
Then say goodbye to Alexandra lost
Alexandra is not coming back, this is final and irrevocable.
Even though she sleeps upon your satin
Despite being close in proximity, the love is gone.
Even though she wakes you with a kiss
Physical affections no longer hold the same meaning as before.
Do not say the moment was imagined
Don't minimize or diminish the intensity of the love that was shared.
Do not stoop to strategies like this
Don't try to save face or use tactics to deal with the loss.
As someone long prepared for this to happen
The artist has been aware of the change and has prepared for it.
Go firmly to the window, drink it in
Accept the changes and confront them head-on.
Exquisite music Alexandra laughing
Remember how beautiful and intense the love once was.
Your first commitments tangible again
Remember the passion and intensity of first love.
And you who had the honor of her evening,
The artist remembers the time spent with Alexandra.
And by the honor had your own restored
The artist was positively impacted by the love shared with Alexandra.
Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving
Re-emphasizes that Alexandra is leaving.
Alexandra leaving with her Lord
A metaphor: Alexandra is leaving with the departing love.
Do not choose a coward's explanation
Confront the loss of love directly.
that hides behind the cause and the effect
Don't use justifications and excuses to mask the true feelings of loss.
And you who were bewildered by a meaning
The singer is now confused and overwhelmed by the end of the love.
Whose code was broken, crucifix uncrossed
Love that was once unbreakable and holy is now shattered and lost.
Then say goodbye to Alexandra lost
Finalizes the sense of loss and departure of Alexandra.
Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving
Re-emphasizes that Alexandra is leaving.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Leonard Cohen, Sharon Robinson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@C8C8DR1L0
The god forsakes Antony
When suddenly, at midnight, you hear
an invisible procession going by
with exquisite music, voices,
don�t mourn your luck that�s failing now,
work gone wrong, your plans
all proving deceptive�don�t mourn them uselessly.
As one long prepared, and graced with courage,
say goodbye to her, the Alexandria that is leaving.
Above all, don�t fool yourself, don�t say
it was a dream, your ears deceived you:
don�t degrade yourself with empty hopes like these.
As one long prepared, and graced with courage,
as is right for you who were given this kind of city,
go firmly to the window
and listen with deep emotion, but not
with the whining, the pleas of a coward;
listen�your final delectation�to the voices,
to the exquisite music of that strange procession,
and say goodbye to her, to the Alexandria you are losing.
- Constantine P. Cavafy (1911)
@GioTube.
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
.
.
Just devastating.
@Guds777
When i was a kid, i'm 44 now. I got a cassette with Various position. I played the cassette on repeat for many years. When i listen to those songs today, i can smell the same smell from when i was a kid, i can feel the exact feelings from when i was a kid listening to those songs. Strange how big of an impact music can have on us. I love it...
@chinekevantil628
🔯Memories linger on, the meaning or interpretation of the song might change though❣️
@jennywren8937
@@chinekevantil628 I just thought this, and forwarding to someone wishing them peace.
@evesunshine3419
I’m going out to 3 didn’t LC☺️ miss him everyday walking among us. Luckily left us so much☺️ . RIP peace 😔
@psychonaut689
Someone played Chelsea Hotel in a bar a few years ago and I thanked the guy for bringing him back
@andrasmoldovan7757
I saw him in Vienna, shotly before he stopped concerting. Next day in the morning he breakfasted next table to me in the Bristol. I thanked him for the magic, he thanked me for being there. Will never forget him, his style, songs. Thank you Mr Cohen.
@alexamorgan0214
I didnt heard this song for about 15 years. I searched for it so much. I love this song. My name is Alexandra,my father used to play this song when I was a child,'cause this song is about my name. Im in love again with this song. Rest in peace legend Leonard Cohen. You sing with angels 🙏🕊️🤍
@SashaLipskaia
I feel so connected to this. Alexandrs is my name too- and it feels eerie as if She is coming in stronger now- in a soul-song.
@mfphonepics
The quality of the poetry in this poem/song soars way above the sea of mundane lyrics in other songs.
It puts my soul in a headlock every time
@theronwolf3296
In my mind that song belongs to a incredible woman who wandered into my life about 8 years ago when I was in my mid 60s. She changed my life, then disappeared during the pandemic. Wherever you are, Leslie, this song is for you.