Anyhow
Leonard Cohen Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I know it really is a pity
The way you treat me now
I know you can’t forgive me
But forgive me anyhow
The ending got so ugly
I even heard you say
You never ever loved me
But could you love me anyway

I dreamed about you baby
You were wearing half your dress
I know you have to hate me
But could you hate me less?
I used up all my chances
And you’ll never take me back
But there ain’t no harm in asking
Could you cut me one more slack?

I’m naked and I’m filthy
And there’s sweat upon my brow
And both of us are guilty
Anyhow
Have mercy on me baby
After all I did confess
Even though you have to hate me
Could you hate me less?

It’s a shame and it’s a pity
I know you can’t forgive me
The ending got so ugly
You never ever loved me
Dreamed about you baby
I know you have to hate me
I’m naked and I’m filthy
And both of us are guilty




Anyhow
Have mercy on me baby

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Leonard Cohen's song Anyhow seem to be a plea for forgiveness from someone who has wronged their lover. The singer acknowledges that the relationship has ended badly, and that their partner may even hate them now. Yet despite this, they ask if their partner could still love or forgive them, even if it's just a little bit. The singer dreams of their lover, and even though they know it's a long shot, they request another chance to make things right in the relationship. The song ends with a sense of desperation and guilt, as the singer acknowledges their own faults and begs for mercy.


Overall, the song seems to be both an apology and a plea for redemption. The singer acknowledges their own mistakes and misgivings, but still holds onto the hope that their lover may be able to forgive them anyway. The lyrics are somewhat melancholic and introspective, and paint a picture of a failed relationship that has left both parties feeling hurt, guilty, and unsure of what comes next.


Line by Line Meaning

I know it really is a pity
I understand that it is a tragedy


The way you treat me now
The way you behave towards me at present


I know you can’t forgive me
I know that it is impossible for you to pardon me


But forgive me anyhow
Please forgive me regardless


The ending got so ugly
The conclusion was horrific


I even heard you say
I overheard you express


You never ever loved me
You never loved me at any point


But could you love me anyway
But is it possible for you to love me nonetheless


I dreamed about you baby
I had a dream about you, babe


You were wearing half your dress
You had half of your clothing on in my dream


I know you have to hate me
I realize that you must despise me


But could you hate me less?
Is it conceivable for you to loathe me less?


I used up all my chances
I exhausted all of my opportunities


And you’ll never take me back
And you will never take me back


But there ain’t no harm in asking
But there is no harm in requesting


Could you cut me one more slack?
Can you give me one more chance?


I’m naked and I’m filthy
I am completely exposed and unclean


And there’s sweat upon my brow
And sweat is running down my forehead


And both of us are guilty
And both of us committed an offense


Anyhow
Regardless


Have mercy on me baby
Please have compassion on me, babe


After all I did confess
Despite the fact that I admitted everything


Even though you have to hate me
Though you must hate me


Could you hate me less?
Is it possible for you to hate me less?


It’s a shame and it’s a pity
It is unfortunate and regrettable


I know you can’t forgive me
I am aware that you cannot pardon me


The ending got so ugly
The conclusion was so terrible


You never ever loved me
You never loved me at all


Dreamed about you baby
I had a dream about you, babe


I know you have to hate me
I am aware that you must detest me


I’m naked and I’m filthy
I am completely exposed and unclean


And both of us are guilty
And both of us committed an offense


Anyhow
Regardless


Have mercy on me baby
Please have compassion on me, babe




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: LEONARD COHEN, PATRICK LEONARD

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

Rosie ellen Hollingsworth

My beloved beloved darling

MY LOVE FOR YOU IS BEYOND COSMOS
I have been waiting for you
Too come
I thought you did not
Want me writing anymore
I am just lying in the bed
Day after day
Staring out the window
Which resemble bars now
Or stare blankly at the T.V
Unable to take anything in
Because all I think about twenty four seven
Is you my beloved beloved darling
I cry every day for you
I have now appetite for anything
Nothing means nothing any more
Only you only only you my darling
I can't contact you I don't know were you are
I have no numbers
I need to be with you
I need to be be beside you
We need to be together bound
Like two swans
Too survive my beloved one
I can't eat so I have a few nibbles
Which taste like cardboard
So I smoke thinking of my love my beloved
I thought you were waiting
For the weather too get warmer
Then you would come for me
But the weather got warmer
And no you
How could I hate you
I don't how too
I can only love you with all that I am
You say you are old
Not too me
I am old too
Sixty two is very old for a woman
But I am still me inside
And you are still you inside
Please please my love my beloved
Please don't leave me here
I need to be with you
How am I able to exist with out you
Please come come my beloved one
I sent you a a letter last night
Too Leonard Cohen Vevo
As I received email from them
It got sent back this morning
Apparently Google could not deliver it
I don't know why
I don't under stand my darling
So I am writing here
I love you my beautiful beautiful MAN
Nothing got ugly
I just got confused as usual
Your the one with all the brains
You always guid me
Were are you darling
I have don't have you too guid me
Please forgive my stupidity
Please come back too me
Don't ever leave me my beloved darling

I send these words too you on the rays of the sun
May she bring use together at last
I'M IN LOVE WITH YOU FOR ETERNITY
I AM YOURS AND ONLY YOURS KISSES FOR YOU
FOREVER ONLY LOVE EXIST BETWEEN USE



All comments from YouTube:

MsJuliadanny

Such a great poem... not just lyrics. Witty and tender.

Same Old Thing

I just love this song 💕

Joelle Mercier

Magnifique Chanson sacré Voix Bravo pour les Musiciens et La Vidéo mais Comme C est Beau

Same Old Thing

I wish someone would make a video for this song! I would if I knew how!

MultiScooped

Why so many dislikes?

Moon Dancer

I think this song is very sexy sounding. And the lyrics are VERY sexy.

buffobufo

+MultiScooped YES I WONDER TOOOO LOL ,

buffobufo

DONT HAVE WOOOOOORDS <3

Helmut Richter

buffobufo Vodafon

Rosie ellen Hollingsworth

My beloved beloved darling

MY LOVE FOR YOU IS BEYOND COSMOS
I have been waiting for you
Too come
I thought you did not
Want me writing anymore
I am just lying in the bed
Day after day
Staring out the window
Which resemble bars now
Or stare blankly at the T.V
Unable to take anything in
Because all I think about twenty four seven
Is you my beloved beloved darling
I cry every day for you
I have now appetite for anything
Nothing means nothing any more
Only you only only you my darling
I can't contact you I don't know were you are
I have no numbers
I need to be with you
I need to be be beside you
We need to be together bound
Like two swans
Too survive my beloved one
I can't eat so I have a few nibbles
Which taste like cardboard
So I smoke thinking of my love my beloved
I thought you were waiting
For the weather too get warmer
Then you would come for me
But the weather got warmer
And no you
How could I hate you
I don't how too
I can only love you with all that I am
You say you are old
Not too me
I am old too
Sixty two is very old for a woman
But I am still me inside
And you are still you inside
Please please my love my beloved
Please don't leave me here
I need to be with you
How am I able to exist with out you
Please come come my beloved one
I sent you a a letter last night
Too Leonard Cohen Vevo
As I received email from them
It got sent back this morning
Apparently Google could not deliver it
I don't know why
I don't under stand my darling
So I am writing here
I love you my beautiful beautiful MAN
Nothing got ugly
I just got confused as usual
Your the one with all the brains
You always guid me
Were are you darling
I have don't have you too guid me
Please forgive my stupidity
Please come back too me
Don't ever leave me my beloved darling

I send these words too you on the rays of the sun
May she bring use together at last
I'M IN LOVE WITH YOU FOR ETERNITY
I AM YOURS AND ONLY YOURS KISSES FOR YOU
FOREVER ONLY LOVE EXIST BETWEEN USE

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