Suzanne
Cohen (Leonard) Lyrics
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You can hear the boats go by, you can spend the night beside her
And you know that she's half-crazy but that's why you wanna to be there
And she feeds you tea and oranges that come all the way from China
And just when you mean to tell her that you have no love to give her
Then she gets you on her wavelength
And she lets the river answer that you've always been her lover
And then you know that she will trust you
For you've touched her perfect body with your mind
And Jesus was a sailor when he walked upon the water
And he spent a long time watching from his lonely wooden tower
And when he knew for certain only drowning men could see him
He said all men will be sailors then until the sea shall free them
But he himself was broken, long before the sky would open
Forsaken, almost human, he sank beneath your wisdom like a stone
And you want to travel with him, and you want to travel blind
And then you think maybe you'll trust him
For he's touched your perfect body with his mind
Now, Suzanne takes your hand and she leads you to the river
She's wearing rags and feathers from Salvation Army counters
And the sun pours down like honey on our Lady of the harbor
And she shows you where to look among the garbage and the flowers
There are heroes in the seaweed, there are children in the morning
They are leaning out for love and they will lean that way forever
While Suzanne holds the mirror
And you want to travel with her, and you want to travel blind
And then you know that you can trust her
For she's touched your perfect body with her mind
The song "Suzanne" by Leonard Cohen is a narrative about a woman named Suzanne who takes the singer to her place near the river. The singer indulges in the sound of boats passing by, spends the night with her, and enjoys tea and oranges. Although the singer acknowledges Suzanne's unstable mental state and the fact that he cannot love her, he still needs to be near her because she adds some kind of charm to his life. Suzanne then takes the singer's hand and shows him a place where he can find heroes amongst the seaweed and children in the morning. Suzanne is portrayed as a fascinating woman who has the power to show the singer the beauty in life where he only sees ugliness. The imagery of the song is quite thought-provoking, and Cohen’s use of religious symbols creates a sense of transcendence.
One interpretation of the song is that Suzanne is a metaphor for poetry or art. The singer is introduced to Suzanne, who represents the creative world. Suzanne feeds him tea and oranges and shows him the beauty in the world that he cannot see with his own eyes. The singer falls in love with the world that Suzanne has introduced him to and wants to be part of it. Suzanne leads the singer to the river, a metaphor for the creative flow, and shows him where he can find heroes and children, which are metaphors for the sources of inspiration for artists. The song highlights the need for inspiration in the creative world.
Line by Line Meaning
Suzanne takes you down to her place near the river
Suzanne is introducing you to her private place by the river
You can hear the boats go by, you can spend the night beside her
You can hear and see boats pass by while staying with Suzanne overnight
And you know that she's half-crazy but that's why you want to be there
You understand that Suzanne is not fully stable mentally, but that's what makes her intriguing
And she feeds you tea and oranges that come all the way from China
Suzanne serves you exotic tea and oranges imported from China
And just when you mean to tell her that you have no love to give her
Before you explain that you can't offer love to Suzanne
Then she gets you on her wavelength
Suzanne connects with you on a deep level
And she lets the river answer that you've always been her lover
Suzanne allows the river to reveal that you've always had a special relationship with her
And you want to travel with her, and you want to travel blind
You want to go on a journey with Suzanne, even if you don't know the destination or what to expect
And then you know that she will trust you
You realize that Suzanne trusts you completely
For you've touched her perfect body with your mind
You've connected with Suzanne on an emotional and intellectual level, without ever physically touching her
And Jesus was a sailor when he walked upon the water
Jesus was able to perform miraculous feats like walking on water because he was a sailor
And he spent a long time watching from his lonely wooden tower
Jesus observed the world from a high and isolated place
And when he knew for certain only drowning men could see him
Jesus realized that only those who were lost and in trouble could see his divine presence
He said all men will be sailors then until the sea shall free them
Jesus proclaimed that everyone is on a journey of life until they find inner peace
But he himself was broken, long before the sky would open
Jesus was suffering and struggling even before his ultimate sacrifice on the cross
Forsaken, almost human, he sank beneath your wisdom like a stone
Feeling abandoned and vulnerable, Jesus was consoled by your insightfulness
And you want to travel with him, and you want to travel blind
You want to be by Jesus' side, even if you don't know where the journey will take you
And then you think maybe you'll trust him
You contemplate whether you can trust Jesus
For he's touched your perfect body with his mind
Jesus has reached you intimately and emotionally without physical contact
Now, Suzanne takes your hand and she leads you to the river
Suzanne guides you towards the river by holding your hand
She's wearing rags and feathers from Salvation Army counters
Suzanne is wearing clothing made from scraps and donations
And the sun pours down like honey on our lady of the harbor
The sunlight bathes Suzanne, who is seen as a beacon of hope and safety like the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor
And she shows you where to look among the garbage and the flowers
Suzanne reveals where to find beauty and goodness amidst the ugliness and decay
There are heroes in the seaweed, there are children in the morning
Even among the seemingly worthless seaweed, there can be heroes; in the morning, there is the optimism and purity of children
They are leaning out for love and they will lean that way forever
People constantly crave and seek love, and they will never stop doing so
While Suzanne holds the mirror
As you observe the world, Suzanne provides you with insight and perspective
And you want to travel with her, and you want to travel blind
You still want to take that journey with Suzanne, despite the unknown and the risks
And then you know that you can trust her
Finally, you trust Suzanne wholeheartedly
For she's touched your perfect body with her mind
Suzanne has emotionally and intellectually connected with you in ways that physical touch cannot compare
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Leonard Cohen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@susandurell9986
In the early 60', I was in school in Charleston and met a German sailor. He took me to a music store and bought me this Album. 50 years later, we still write letters to each other. When I listen to this, I and 20 again.
@quogir1
That‘s the way.
@petercrouch6090
Such a lovely story.
@fay3532
I love to hear such tales. Growth.
@raviolipaw9015
Oh this is such a beautiful story. Truly moving! :) I hope that you’re healthy and doing well :)
@MrJohanOne
He was in love with you. That lyrics was a message to tell you his feeling but you didn't sailed with him.
@suzannegarcia2849
I was named after this song ...my Dad listened to it every day the year before I was born and then the night I was born...I listen to it when I'm missing him.
@anthonyturner4377
So sweet.
@radam282
RIP to your dad.
@jzk3919
So if you send your e-address I can send you a Hungarian song that will match this one for you. BTW: Are you related to Frank Garcia who lives in Hungary?