Cohen pursued a career as a poet and novelist during the 1950s and early 1960s; he did not launch a music career until 1967, at the age of 33. His first album, Songs of Leonard Cohen (1967), was followed by three more albums of folk music: Songs from a Room (1969), Songs of Love and Hate (1971) and New Skin for the Old Ceremony (1974). His 1977 record Death of a Ladies' Man, co-written and produced by Phil Spector, was a move away from Cohen's previous minimalist sound. In 1979, Cohen returned with the more traditional Recent Songs, which blended his acoustic style with jazz, Oriental, and Mediterranean influences. Perhaps Cohen's most famous song, "Hallelujah", was first released on his studio album Various Positions in 1984. I'm Your Man in 1988 marked Cohen's turn to synthesized productions and remains his most popular album. In 1992, Cohen released its follow-up, The Future, which had dark lyrics and references to political and social unrest.
Cohen returned to music in 2001 with the release of Ten New Songs, which was a major hit in Canada and Europe. His 11th album, Dear Heather, followed in 2004. Following a successful string of tours between 2008 and 2013, Cohen released three albums in the final four years of his life: Old Ideas (2012), Popular Problems (2014) and You Want It Darker (2016), the last of which was released three weeks before his death.
Leonard Cohen was born into a middle-class Jewish family in Westmount, Quebec, on September 21, 1934. His Lithuanian mother, Marsha Klonitsky ("Masha"; 1905–1978), was the daughter of a Talmudic writer, Rabbi Solomon Klonitsky-Kline, and emigrated to Canada in 1927. His paternal grandfather, whose family had moved from Poland to Canada, was Lyon Cohen, the founding president of the Canadian Jewish Congress. His father, Nathan Bernard Cohen (1891–1943), who owned a substantial clothing store, died when Cohen was nine years old. The family observed Orthodox Judaism, and belonged to Congregation Shaar Hashomayim, to which Cohen retained connections for the rest of his life. On the topic of being a Kohen, Cohen told Richard Goldstein in 1967, "I had a very Messianic childhood. I was told I was a descendant of Aaron, the high priest."
Cohen attended Roslyn Elementary School and completed grades seven through nine at Herzliah High School, where his literary mentor Irving Layton taught, then transferred in 1948 to Westmount High School, where he studied music and poetry. He became especially interested in the poetry of Federico García Lorca. Cohen involved himself actively beyond Westmount's curriculum, in photography, on the yearbook staff, as a cheerleader, in the arts and current events clubs, and even served in the position of president of the Students' Council while "heavily involved in the school's theater program". During that time, Cohen taught himself to play the acoustic guitar, and formed a country–folk group that he called the Buckskin Boys. After a young Spanish guitar player taught him "a few chords and some flamenco", Cohen switched to a classical guitar. He has attributed his love of music to his mother, who sang songs around the house: "I know that those changes, those melodies, touched me very much. She would sing with us when I took my guitar to a restaurant with some friends; my mother would come, and we'd often sing all night.
Cohen frequented Saint Laurent Boulevard for fun and ate at such places as the Main Deli Steak House. According to journalist David Sax, Cohen and one of his cousins would go to the Main Deli to "watch the gangsters, pimps, and wrestlers dance around the night". Cohen enjoyed the formerly raucous bars of Old Montreal as well as Saint Joseph's Oratory, which had the restaurant nearest to Westmount, for him and his friend Mort Rosengarten to share coffee and cigarettes. When Cohen left Westmount, he purchased a place on Saint-Laurent Boulevard, in the previously working-class neighbourhood of Little Portugal. He would read his poetry at assorted nearby clubs. In that period and that place, Cohen wrote the lyrics to some of his most famous songs.
01. Waiting for the Miracle
Leonard Cohen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been waiting night and day
I didn't see the time
I waited half my life away
There were lots of invitations
And I know you sent me some
But I was waiting
For the miracle, for the miracle to come
But, you see, my hands were tied
And I know it must have hurt you
It must have hurt your pride
To have to stand beneath my window
With your bugle and your drum
And me I'm up there waiting
For the miracle, for the miracle to come
Ah I don't believe you'd like it
You wouldn't like it here
There ain't no entertainment
And the judgments are severe
The Maestro says it's Mozart
But it sounds like bubble gum
When you're waiting
For the miracle, for the miracle to come
Waiting for the miracle
There's nothing left to do
I haven't been this happy
Since the end of World War II
Nothing left to do
When you know that you've been taken
Nothing left to do
When you're begging for a crumb
Nothing left to do
When you've got to go on waiting
Waiting for the miracle to come
I dreamed about you, baby
It was just the other night
Most of you was naked
Ah but some of you was light
The sands of time were falling
From your fingers and your thumb
And you were waiting
For the miracle, for the miracle to come
Ah baby, let's get married
We've been alone too long
Let's be alone together
Let's see if we're that strong
Yeah let's do something crazy,
Something absolutely wrong
While we're waiting
For the miracle, for the miracle to come
Nothing left to do
When you know that you've been taken
Nothing left to do
When you're begging for a crumb
Nothing left to do
When you've got to go on waiting
Waiting for the miracle to come
When you've fallen on the highway
And you're lying in the rain,
And they ask you how you're doing
Of course you'll say you can't complain
If you're squeezed for information,
That's when you've got to play it dumb
You just say you're out there waiting
For the miracle, for the miracle to come
The song "Waiting for the Miracle" by Leonard Cohen is a poignant exploration of waiting for a transcendent experience or life-changing event, which may never come. The singer talks about spending half of their life waiting and turning down invitations, all in the pursuit of a miracle that has yet to arrive. The use of the word miracle is symbolic, as it represents the ultimate hope for salvation, healing or enlightenment, that is deeply personal and urgent.
The notion of waiting in this song is multi-layered, as it is imbued with frustration, anxiety, and resignation. The singer is grappling with the fact that despite their faith and trust, the miracle they have waited for may not materialize. The imagery of the Maestro playing Mozart but it sounding like bubble gum signal to the disillusionment of the singer, as the world is filled with empty promises and broken dreams. The use of sarcasm and irony in the line "I haven't been this happy since the end of World War II" reflects the bitterness towards the world's inability to deliver on its promise of a better life.
The dream sequence of the singer imagining their lover and waiting for them to arrive becomes a focal point of the song. The intimacy of the imagined scene is juxtaposed with the cold reality that the lover may not arrive, emphasizing the heart-wrenching suspense of waiting for a miracle that may never come. The song ends with an invitation to get married and do something crazy, symbolizing the desire to take control of one's fate and not wait for the uncertain.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, I've been waiting,
I've been waiting night and day
I've been waiting for something or someone for a very long time and it has consumed me
I didn't see the time,
I waited half my life away
I was so focused on waiting that I lost track of time and ended up devoting years of my life to it
There were lots of invitations
And I know you sent me some
But I was waiting
For the miracle, for the miracle to come
I had other opportunities but I chose to wait for something that I considered a miracle, something extraordinary that I couldn't find in those invitations
I know you really loved me
But, you see, my hands were tied
And I know it must have hurt you,
It must have hurt your pride
To have to stand beneath my window
With your bugle and your drum
And me I'm up there waiting
For the miracle, for the miracle to come
You loved me, but circumstances kept me from being with you, and I know it hurt you to see me waiting for something that might never come
Ah I don't believe you'd like it,
You wouldn't like it here
There ain't no entertainment
And the judgments are severe
The Maestro says it's Mozart
But it sounds like bubble gum
When you're waiting
For the miracle, for the miracle to come
The place where I am waiting is not pleasant or enjoyable, and the standards are high and unforgiving. Even things that are supposed to be great, like Mozart, lose their value when you're waiting for something else
Waiting for the miracle
There's nothing left to do
I haven't been this happy
Since the end of World War II
I am feeling hopeless and like there is nothing else I can do to make this miracle happen. Waiting has made me feel like I haven't been truly happy since a time long ago
Nothing left to do
When you know that you've been taken
Nothing left to do
When you're begging for a crumb
Nothing left to do
When you've got to go on waiting
Waiting for the miracle to come
When you've been taken advantage of or hurt, you may feel like there's nothing else to do but wait for something that may or may not come
I dreamed about you, baby
It was just the other night
Most of you was naked
Ah but some of you was light
The sands of time were falling
From your fingers and your thumb
And you were waiting
For the miracle, for the miracle to come
I had a dream about you where you were vulnerable and exposed, and time was running out for you. Even in my dreams, I am waiting for the miracle
Ah baby, let's get married
We've been alone too long
Let's be alone together
Let's see if we're that strong
Yeah let's do something crazy,
Something absolutely wrong
While we're waiting
For the miracle, for the miracle to come
Let's take a big step and get married, since we've been alone for so long. It may not be the best idea, but we're both waiting for something anyway
When you've fallen on the highway
And you're lying in the rain,
And they ask you how you're doing
Of course you'll say you can't complain
If you're squeezed for information,
That's when you've got to play it dumb
You just say you're out there waiting
For the miracle, for the miracle to come
When things are going poorly, it's best to play it cool and say you're waiting for something to turn things around, even though you don't know if it actually will
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Leonard Cohen, Sharon Robinson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Диляра Галимовна Вильданова
Не буду писать о том, насколько велик Леонард Коэн, насколько притягательны его песни, насколько осиротел мир после его кончины...
Да, невозможно слушать его композиции и оставаться равнодушным...
Этой песне более тридцати лет, но она не потеряла своей актуальности и привлекательности. Впрочем, как и все его шедевры...
Спасибо Мастеру! Браво и вечная память!
Перевод Вячеслава Чистякова.
Я, крошка, постоянно ждал,
но пребывал в незнании -
полжизни пролетело
при этом ожидании.
Мне предлагали многое,
и ты мне предлагала,
а я, вот, жаждал чуда,
мечтал, чтобы настало.
Я знаю, – ты любила,
но нам недоставало
возможности быть вместе,
а гордость пострадала:
под окнами моими
ты в барабан стучала,
а я всё жаждал чуда,
мечтал, чтобы настало.
Хорошего тут мало:
ни тени наслажденья,
когда тебя не слышат,
плюс злобность осужденья.
Маэстро скажет: Моцарт, -
мне всё равно покуда
живу и ожидаю
когда случится чудо -
на чудо уповаешь,
то, значит, ничего
тебе не остаётся,
как только ждать его.
Такого счастья для себя
не знал с конца войны.
Ничто тут не поможет…
Как попрошайка вы.
Ничто тут не поможет...
Что вы должны желать,
Что чувствовать должны,
какие устремления,
когда вам надо ждать
чудесное мгновение?
Ты мне приснилась, крошка, -
прислала мне привет, -
была почти что голой,
но излучала свет;
песок часов струился
сквозь пальцы рук твоих,
ты ожидала чуда
для нас с тобой двоих.
Давай жить вместе, крошка, -
Пусть и излишний ход, -
Отдельно будем верить
что чудо к нам придёт.
Ничто тут не поможет…
Без сил, вот, ляжешь вдруг,
свалившись на дорогу,
и спросят: Как ты, друг?
Ничто тут не поможет…
Прикинешься тупым:
Уже который год,
я поджидаю чудо,
надеясь, что придёт.
Ken Girard
Baby, I've been waiting,
I've been waiting night and day
I didn't see the time,
I waited half my life away
There were lots of invitations
And I know you sent me some
But I was waiting
For the miracle, for the miracle to come
I know you really loved me
But, you see, my hands were tied
And I know it must have hurt you,
It must have hurt your pride
To have to stand beneath my window
With your bugle and your drum
And me I'm up there waiting
For the miracle, for the miracle to come
Ah I don't believe you'd like it,
You wouldn't like it here
There ain't no entertainment
And the judgments are severe
The Maestro says it's Mozart
But it sounds like bubble gum
When you're waiting
For the miracle, for the miracle to come
Waiting for the miracle
There's nothing left to do
I haven't been this happy
Since the end of World War II
Nothing left to do
When you know that you've been taken
Nothing left to do
When you're begging for a crumb
Nothing left to do
When you've got to go on waiting
Waiting for the miracle to come
I dreamed about you, baby
It was just the other night
Most of you was naked
Ah but some of you was light
The sands of time were falling
From your fingers and your thumb
And you were waiting
For the miracle, for the miracle to come
Ah baby, let's get married
We've been alone too long
Let's be alone together
Let's see if we're that strong
Yeah let's do something crazy,
Something absolutely wrong
While we're waiting
For the miracle, for the miracle to come
Nothing left to do
When you know that you've been taken
Nothing left to do
When you're begging for a crumb
Nothing left to do
When you've got to go on waiting
Waiting for the miracle to come
When you've fallen on the highway
And you're lying in the rain,
And they ask you how you're doing
Of course you'll say you can't complain
If you're squeezed for information,
That's when you've got to play it dumb
You just say you're out there waiting
For the miracle, for the miracle to come
Samuel Cernuto
(Intro}
[Verse 1]
Baby, I've been waiting
I've been waiting night and day
I didn't see the time
Yeah I waited half my life away
There were lots of invitations
And I know you sent me some
But I was waiting
For the miracle, for the miracle to come
[Verse 2]
I know you really loved me
But, you see, my hands were tied
I know it must have hurt you
It must have hurt your pride
To have to stand beneath my window
With your bugle and your drum
And me I'm up there waiting
For the miracle, for the miracle to come
[Verse 3]
Yeah, I don't believe you'd like it
You wouldn't like it here
There ain't no entertainment
And the judgements are severe
The Maestro says it's Mozart
But it sounds like bubble gum
When you're waiting
For the miracle, for the miracle to come
[Interlude]
Waiting for the miracle
There's nothing left to do
I haven't been this happy
Since the end of World War II
[Chorus]
Nothing left to do
When you know that you've been taken
Nothing left to do
When you're begging for a crumb
Nothing left to do
When you've got to go on waiting
Waiting for the miracle to come
[Verse 4]
Yeah I dreamed about you, baby
It was just the other night
Most of you was naked
Ah but some of you was light
The sands of time were falling
From your fingers and your thumb
And you were waiting
For the miracle, for the miracle to come
[Verse 5]
Ah baby, let's get married
We've been alone too long
Let's be alone together
Let's see if we're that strong
Yeah let's do something crazy
Something absolutely wrong
While we're waiting
For the miracle, for the miracle to come
[Chorus]
Nothing left to do
When you know you've been taken
Nothing left to do
When you're begging for a crumb
Nothing left to do
When you've got to go on waiting
Waiting for the miracle to come
[Verse 7]
When you've fallen on the highway
And you're lying in the rain
And they ask you how you're doing
Of course you'll say you can't complain --
If you're squeezed for information
That's when you've got to play it dumb:
You just say you're out there waiting
For the miracle, for the miracle to come
{Outro}
Назар Беницкий
Привіт з України дякую за вашу працю і музику всім людям доброї волі мира розуміння себе та процесів що відбуваються в всесвіті здоров'я успіхів у ваших справах
Dave Kemp
Probably my favourite Leonard Cohen song ever. So haunting, so beautiful, so tragic. Few artists could ever hope to encompass in an album what he could in a song. You're still missed, Mr. Cohen, and you'll always have such a special place in my heart.
Ekaterina Samigulina
for this comment I hugs you endlessly
Masuk Marcelina
😢❤his lyrics... "i didnt see the time... n i waited half my life away... hits hard.. why dont i just DO IT?🎉
pauline bowers
I absolutely agree with you xx
Татьяна Ширяевская
Боже! Ты наградил этого человека талантом,чудесным голосом! Упокой его душу! 🙏🙏🙏💕💕💕
Гугл Гонит
Его песни, всегда с нами !!!
Vera Kornievskaya
His songs penetrate the heart and stay there forever.
Maritta Titta Okkonen
I agree 💖
Vlad B
Wow
That’s so true
You hit the nail on the head.
God bless you!!!