Boogie Street
Leonard Cohen Lyrics

O crown of light, o darkened one
Leonard Cohen addresses an unknown person or entity, describing them with contrasting images of light and darkness, suggesting a complex nature that he never expected to encounter.

I never thought we'd meet
Cohen expresses his surprise at encountering this mysterious figure after never anticipating their encounter.

You kiss my lips, and then it's done
The encounter appears to be brief and potentially intimate, as the figure kisses Cohen's lips before moving on.

I'm back on boogie street
Despite the brief interlude, Cohen returns to his usual surroundings on Boogie Street, suggesting that this encounter may have been a temporary diversion from his everyday life.

A sip of wine, a cigarette
Cohen describes a typical routine involving enjoying a drink and a cigarette.

And then it's time to go
This routine comes to an end, implying that Cohen must move on with his life.

I tidied up the kitchenette
Cohen describes a domestic task, suggesting a sense of order and routine in his life.

I tuned the old banjo
Cohen prepares his musical instrument, suggesting the importance of music in his life.

I'm wanted at the traffic jam
Cohen suggests that he is scheduled to be somewhere important, highlighting the busyness of his life.

They're saving me a seat
Despite the hectic schedule, others have arranged to accommodate Cohen, implying importance and prestige.

I'm what I am, and what I am
Cohen accepts and embraces his identity, suggesting a sense of self-assurance.

Is back on boogie street
Despite any external distractions or encounters, Cohen returns to his comfortable everyday surroundings.

And o my love, I still recall
Cohen addresses an unknown person, possibly a romantic interest, reflecting on past experiences.

The pleasures that we knew
Cohen reminisces about past joys shared with the person he addresses.

The rivers and the waterfall
Cohen describes specific memories of natural features like rivers and waterfalls, adding a vivid detail to his reminiscing.

Wherein I bathed with you
Cohen recalls an intimate, vulnerable moment shared with the person he addresses.

Bewildered by your beauty there
Cohen reflects on the impact of the person's beauty, highlighting their alluring nature.

I'd kneel to dry your feet
Cohen describes a supportive and intimate gesture, emphasizing his devotion to the person he addresses.

By such instructions you prepare
Cohen hints at the impact this person had on him, suggesting that they may have taught him important lessons.

A man for boogie street
Cohen suggests that these past experiences have helped shape him into the person he is today, someone who is accustomed to the everyday life on Boogie Street.

So come, my friends, be not afraid
Cohen addresses his friends, encouraging them to join him and reassuring them that there is no need to be afraid.

We are so lightly here
Cohen reminds his friends of their fleeting nature, emphasizing the importance of living in the present moment.

It is in love that we are made
Cohen emphasizes the importance of love in shaping who we are as individuals.

In love we disappear
Cohen suggests that love is all-consuming, leading us to fully immerse ourselves in it and potentially lose ourselves within it.

Tho' all the maps of blood and flesh
Cohen references the human body and its external representations, suggesting that these tools are not enough to fully understand our existence.

Are posted on the door
Cohen suggests that even with medical diagrams, charts, and maps, there is still so much unknown about the human experience.

There's no one who has told us yet
Despite all this information, Cohen suggests that there is no one who has fully explained the meaning of life to us yet.

What boogie street is for
Cohen concludes with this final line, repeating the title of the song and leaving the listener to ponder the true meaning behind it.