I'm Your Man
Cohen Lyrics


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If you want a lover
I'll do anything you ask me to
And if you want another kind of love
I'll wear a mask for you
If you want a partner, take my hand, or
If you want to strike me down in anger
Here I stand
I'm your man

If you want a boxer
I will step into the ring for you
And if you want a doctor
I'll examine every inch of you
If you want a driver, climb inside
Or if you want to take me for a ride
You know you can
I'm your man

Ah, the moon's too bright
The chain's too tight
The beast won't go to sleep
I've been running through these promises to you
That I made and I could not keep
Ah, but a man never got a woman back
Not by begging on his knees
Or I'd crawl to you baby and I'd fall at your feet
And I'd howl at your beauty like a dog in heat
And I'd claw at your heart, and I'd tear at your sheet
I'd say please (please)
I'm your man

And if you've got to sleep a moment on the road
I will steer for you
And if you want to work the street alone
I'll disappear for you
If you want a father for your child
Or only want to walk with me a while across the sand
I'm your man

If you want a lover
I'll do anything you ask me to




And if you want another kind of love
I'll wear a mask for you

Overall Meaning

In "I'm Your Man," Leonard Cohen presents himself as a chameleon, willing to change and adapt himself to become whatever his lover desires. The song begins with Cohen's promise of complete devotion, stating that he will do anything his lover asks of him, implying that he is willing to put on a facade, even if that means hiding behind a mask. As the song progresses, Cohen continues to describe himself as a versatile being that can become a doctor, a driver, or even a boxer. His willingness to be whatever his lover desires is further emphasized by the chorus, stating "I'm your man."


However, the song's tone shifts dramatically in the middle, as Cohen reveals his vulnerabilities and insecurities. He feels the weight of his promises and realizes that he has let his lover down before. In a moment of desperation, he declares his love and willingness to do anything, even if it means begging on his knees for her forgiveness. Yet, in the end, he ends on a hopeful note, stating that he will be there for her no matter what, whether she wants a father for her child or just someone to walk with her down the beach.


"I'm Your Man" is a song that yearns for love, but it does so in a way that is honest about the fragility of relationships. Through Cohen's emotional delivery, the song captures the complexity of love: the joy, the pain, the sacrifices, and the illusions.


Line by Line Meaning

If you want a lover
If you desire a lover


I'll do anything you ask me to
I'm willing to do anything that you request


And if you want another kind of love
If you would like a different kind of love


I'll wear a mask for you
I will pretend to be the kind of lover you want me to be


If you want a partner, take my hand, or
If you need a partner, I'm here for you


If you want to strike me down in anger
Even if you want to hurt me, I won't leave your side


Here I stand
I'm still here for you


I'm your man
I am your loyal companion


If you want a boxer
If you want someone who can fight for you


I will step into the ring for you
I'm ready to fight for you


And if you want a doctor
If you want someone to examine and care for you


I'll examine every inch of you
I'll be thorough and attentive in my care


If you want a driver, climb inside
If you need someone to drive you around


Or if you want to take me for a ride
If you would rather drive and have me as your passenger


You know you can
You can always count on me


Ah, the moon's too bright
The moon is too bright and it's keeping me awake


The chain's too tight
I feel constrained, as if I'm in chains


The beast won't go to sleep
My desires are keeping me restless


I've been running through these promises to you
I've been reflecting on all of the promises I've made to you


That I made and I could not keep
I am sorry for the promises I made but could not fulfill


Ah, but a man never got a woman back
A man can never win back a woman by begging


Not by begging on his knees
Begging is not the way to win someone back


Or I'd crawl to you baby and I'd fall at your feet
If begging would work, I would crawl to you and beg for your forgiveness


And I'd howl at your beauty like a dog in heat
I would express my admiration and love for you loudly and passionately


And I'd claw at your heart, and I'd tear at your sheet
I would express my emotions intensely, even if it caused pain


I'd say please (please)
I would plead with you to forgive me


I'm your man
I'm still here for you, no matter what


And if you've got to sleep a moment on the road
If you need to rest while traveling


I will steer for you
I will take over driving so you can rest


And if you want to work the street alone
If you want to work on something by yourself


I'll disappear for you
I will give you space and let you work alone


If you want a father for your child
If you want someone to be a father figure for your child


Or only want to walk with me a while across the sand
If you just want to spend time with me and enjoy life's simple pleasures


I'm your man
I'm willing to be whatever you need me to be




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Leonard Cohen

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@jef6080

I’M YOUR MAN

If you want a lover
I'll do anything you ask me to
And if you want another kind of love
I'll wear a mask for you
If you want a partner, take my hand, or
If you want to strike me down in anger
Here I stand
I'm your man
If you want a boxer
I will step into the ring for you
And if you want a doctor
I'll examine every inch of you
If you want a driver, climb inside
Or if you want to take me for a ride
You know you can
I'm your man
Ah, the moon's too bright
The chain's too tight
The beast won't go to sleep
I've been running through these promises to you
That I made and I could not keep
Ah, but a man never got a woman back
Not by begging on his knees
Or I'd crawl to you baby and I'd fall at your feet
And I'd howl at your beauty like a dog in heat
And I'd claw at your heart, and I'd tear at your sheet
I'd say please (please)
I'm your man
And if you've got to sleep a moment on the road
I will steer for you
And if you want to work the street alone
I'll disappear for you
If you want a father for your child
Or only want to walk with me a while across the sand
I'm your man
If you want a lover
I'll do anything you ask me to
And if you want another kind of love
I'll wear a mask for you



@wandaloskot

The Most Beautiful Love Song. Ever.

If you want a lover
I'll do anything you ask me to
And if you want another kind of love
I'll wear a mask for you
If you want a partner, take my hand, or
If you want to strike me down in anger
Here I stand
I'm your man
If you want a boxer
I will step into the ring for you
And if you want a doctor
I'll examine every inch of you
If you want a driver, climb inside
Or if you want to take me for a ride
You know you can
I'm your man
Ah, the moon's too bright
The chain's too tight
The beast won't go to sleep
I've been running through these promises to you
That I made and I could not keep
Ah, but a man never got a woman back
Not by begging on his knees
Or I'd crawl to you baby and I'd fall at your feet
And I'd howl at your beauty like a dog in heat
And I'd claw at your heart, and I'd tear at your sheet
I'd say please (please)
I'm your man
And if you've got to sleep a moment on the road
I will steer for you
And if you want to work the street alone
I'll disappear for you
If you want a father for your child
Or only want to walk with me a while across the sand
I'm your man
If you want a lover
I'll do anything you ask me to
And if you want another kind of love
I'll wear a mask for you



All comments from YouTube:

@DSKRZYPCZAK

LEONARD COHEN - I'm Your Fan

@bouvierannelise2140

Well said 😉

@margaretlynch1091

Love this man his music is so so good and great

@mariafilomenamaro5574

Inexcedivel!.. I will love him and his songs forever...

@dalriadaskillen

That was the title of a tribute album to Mr Cohen.

@monikaannawasik8131

Me too !

4 More Replies...

@kevinJames6986

The most romantic love song ever written. You can tell he has loved deeply. He knew what life was about. Rest in peace and love Mr. Leonard Cohen. The world misses you.

@HerrMikael

Romantic? I thought this is about a restless guy, deep regret and the aftermath of cheating. Great song though, but it doesn't come of as romantic to me

@juliaward1127

@@HerrMikael - Only in part. He has obviously met a new woman now.

@HerrMikael

@@juliaward1127 I always understood it as has desperate and hopeless monologue to get her back. Therefore the minor tunes

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