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.
Hunter's Lullaby
Leonard Cohen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He's lost in the forest so wild
And he cannot take his wife with him
He cannot take his child
Your father's gone a-hunting
Through the quicksand and the clay
And a woman cannot follow him
Your father's gone a-hunting
Through the silver and the glass
Where only greed can enter
But spirit, spirit cannot pass
Your father's gone a-hunting
For the beast he cannot bind
And he leaves a baby sleeping
And his blessings all behind
Your father's gone a-hunting
And he's lost his lucky charm
And he's lost the guardian heart
That keeps the hunter the harm
Your father's gone a-hunting
He asked me to say goodbye
And he warned me not to stop him
I wouldn't, I wouldn't even try
The song "Hunter's Lullaby" by Leonard Cohen tells the story of a father who has gone hunting into the wild forest, leaving his wife and child behind. The first few lines suggest that the father may be lost in the woods, and thus unable to find his way back to his family. As the lyrics progress, it becomes clear that the father must go on this hunt alone, and that his wife cannot follow him. The song goes on to suggest that the hunt is for something elusive and dangerous, something that can harm the hunter.
The song is both a lament for the absence of the father and a warning about the dangers of greed and chasing after that which is impossible to attain. The metaphor of the hunt is used to describe the human condition of striving for something out of reach beyond our grasp, be it financial security, personal happiness, or even spiritual enlightenment. The song speaks to the beauty and danger involved in this process of searching, while also warning against the harm that can come from being consumed by our goals or losing sight of what is truly important.
In conclusion, Hunter's Lullaby is a profound song that employs hunting as a metaphor for the inescapability of human desire and the dangers it can bring. The lyrics, coupled with the haunting melody, evoke a sense of longing, nostalgia, and warning all at once. It highlights the human tendency to pursue something that is unattainable and dangerous, and reminds us of the importance of balancing this with our obligation to our families and communities.
Line by Line Meaning
Your father's gone a-hunting
Your father is out there searching, seeking for something that has caught his attention.
He's lost in the forest so wild
He is in a place that is unpredictable, and one could easily lose direction.
And he cannot take his wife with him
He is on a solo mission, and everyone else must stay behind.
He cannot take his child
His responsibilities cannot be availed of by the son or daughter, as he is the only one who must face his journey.
Through the quicksand and the clay
He moves through areas that are treacherous and not easy to navigate.
And a woman cannot follow him
The journey is not appropriate for everyone, even someone who might be familiar with the area.
Although she knows the way
The knowledge of the way does not make her any more suitable.
Through the silver and the glass
He is going through a place where there's an abundance of wealth and money.
Where only greed can enter
The path he travels is not one for those who possess a lack of self control or restraint regarding their desires.
But spirit, spirit cannot pass
The journey does not encourage or reward those who seek knowledge, enlightenment or peace.
For the beast he cannot bind
The true object of his inclination cannot be conquered or contained.
And he leaves a baby sleeping
He departs a significant part of his legacy behind as he focuses on his mission.
And his blessings all behind
The safety and care of those who depend on him is not as important as his desires.
He asked me to say goodbye
He confided in someone close to him to break the news of his departure.
And he warned me not to stop him
He is resolute in his decision to leave, he does not need anyone's approval or permission to pursue his goal.
I wouldn't, I wouldn't even try
The initial enthusiasm and curiosity about his expedition has worn off, and they are well aware of the danger and risk it carries.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LEONARD COHEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stjop2798
Your father's gone a-hunting
He's deep in the forest so wild
And he cannot take his wife with him
He cannot take his child
Your father's gone a-hunting
In the quicksand and the clay
And a woman cannot follow him
Although she knows the way
Your father's gone a-hunting
Through the silver and the glass
Where only greed can enter
But spirit, spirit cannot pass
Your father's gone a-hunting
For the beast he'll never bind
And he leaves a baby sleeping
And his blessings all behind
Your father's gone a-hunting
And he's lost his lucky charm
And he's lost the guardian heart
That keeps the hunter from the harm
Your father's gone a-hunting
He asked me to say goodbye
And he warned me not to stop him
I wouldn't, I wouldn't even try
@jeanettemezerhane7968
Leonard inolvidable, preciosa voz y mucho sentimiento. Lo adoro.
@celinastefanska9537
Witam cieszę się że mogę słuchać pięknej muzyki, wspaniały głos, merci 🌷🌿🌹🍀😍❤👌
@AngelinaJordan_private.account
Beautiful!❤ (But I love all of your music. 🎶)
@cutcowboy3696
One of my favorites By Leonard Cohen.
@stjop2798
Your father's gone a-hunting
He's deep in the forest so wild
And he cannot take his wife with him
He cannot take his child
Your father's gone a-hunting
In the quicksand and the clay
And a woman cannot follow him
Although she knows the way
Your father's gone a-hunting
Through the silver and the glass
Where only greed can enter
But spirit, spirit cannot pass
Your father's gone a-hunting
For the beast he'll never bind
And he leaves a baby sleeping
And his blessings all behind
Your father's gone a-hunting
And he's lost his lucky charm
And he's lost the guardian heart
That keeps the hunter from the harm
Your father's gone a-hunting
He asked me to say goodbye
And he warned me not to stop him
I wouldn't, I wouldn't even try
@marijavlahovic3574
great music,all music from Leonard is great.
Thanks for music
Rest in peace🙏
@odetekalil4572
Maravilhoso ❤️❤️❤️
@mitchellmccann6798
Forever & always!
@j.frankparnell6004
Lefty?
@birutegrafinina968
🙏Like that so much!! Thank you from heart!!🙌