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.
Passing Through
Leonard Cohen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"do you hate mankind for what they done to you? "
He said, "talk of love not hate, things to do - it's getting late.
I've so little time and I'm only passing through."
Passing through, passing through.
Sometimes happy, sometimes blue,
Glad that I ran into you.
I saw adam leave the garden with an apple in his hand,
I said "now you're out, what are you going to do? "
"plant some crops and pray for rain, maybe raise a little cane.
I'm an orphan now, and I'm only passing through."
Passing through, passing through ...
I was with washington at valley ford, shivering in the snow.
I said, "how come the men here suffer like they do? "
"men will suffer, men will fight, even die for what is right
Even though they know they're only passing through"
Passing through, passing through ...
I was with franklin roosevelt's side on the night before he died.
He said, "one world must come out of world war two" (ah, the fool)
"yankee, russian, white or tan," he said, "a man is still a man.
We're all on one road, and we're only passing through."
Passing through, passing through ...
(let's do it one more time)
Passing through, passing through ...
Leonard Cohen's song Passing Through is a reflection on the transience of life and the importance of love and compassion in the face of adversity. The song consists of four verses, each featuring a different historical figure, all of whom are facing their own hardships and struggles. The first verse features Jesus on the cross, with the singer asking him if he hates mankind for what they have done to him. Jesus replies by urging the singer to focus on love and the things that need to be done before his time on earth is up.
The second verse features Adam, who has been expelled from the Garden of Eden and is now an orphan in the world, just passing through. He tells the singer that he plans to plant crops and raise some cane, but ultimately, he is just another person trying to make his way through life.
The third verse features George Washington, who is leading his troops through Valley Forge in the dead of winter. The singer asks him why men suffer and fight, even when they know they are just passing through. Washington replies that men will always fight for what is right, even if it means sacrificing their own lives.
The final verse features Franklin Roosevelt, who is reflecting on the destructive power of World War II. He muses that despite the differences between people, we are all just passing through this world and we must come together as one in order to create a better tomorrow.
Overall, Passing Through is a poignant and philosophical song that encourages listeners to reflect on the fleeting nature of life and to focus on love and compassion while we are here.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw jesus on the cross on a hill called calvary
I witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus on Calvary Hill.
"do you hate mankind for what they done to you? "
I asked Jesus if he held any resentment towards humanity for crucifying him.
He said, "talk of love not hate, things to do - it's getting late.
Jesus advised against hate and suggested that love should be the focus instead because time is running out.
I've so little time and I'm only passing through."
As someone who is just passing through this world, Jesus acknowledged the scarcity of time left to spread his message of love.
Passing through, passing through.
Acknowledging the transient nature of life.
Sometimes happy, sometimes blue,
Our experiences in life are a mix of joys and sorrows.
Glad that I ran into you.
Grateful for the chance encounter with the listener of this song.
Tell the people that you saw me passing through.
Encouraging the listener to spread the word about his existence and message of love.
I saw adam leave the garden with an apple in his hand,
I witnessed the biblical story of Adam being expelled from the Garden of Eden for eating the forbidden fruit.
I said "now you're out, what are you going to do? "
I asked Adam what he planned to do after being banished from the garden.
"plant some crops and pray for rain, maybe raise a little cane.
Adam responded that he would start anew by planting crops, praying for rain, and perhaps even raising some sugar cane.
I'm an orphan now, and I'm only passing through."
Feeling like an outcast, Adam recognized his transitory nature and the temporal nature of his problems.
I was with washington at valley ford, shivering in the snow.
I accompanied George Washington at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania during the harsh winter of 1777-78.
I said, "how come the men here suffer like they do? "
I inquired about the hardships being endured by the men at Valley Forge.
"men will suffer, men will fight, even die for what is right
Washington replied that even though men suffer and die for their cause, they will do so because it is the right thing to do.
Even though they know they're only passing through"
Despite recognizing the impermanence of life, Washington acknowledged the drive among humans to do what is right even if it does not change their temporal destiny.
I was with franklin roosevelt's side on the night before he died.
I was present with President Franklin Roosevelt on the night before he passed away.
He said, "one world must come out of world war two" (ah, the fool)
Roosevelt expressed his belief that World War II must bring about a unified world though the author thinks he was naïve or foolish in his belief.
"yankee, russian, white or tan," he said, "a man is still a man.
Regardless of one's nationality, race, or ethnicity, humans are all cut from the same cloth.
We're all on one road, and we're only passing through."
As humans on this short, shared journey known as life, we are all transient and have to make the best of our time on Earth.
Passing through, passing through ...
Reiterating the theme of transience in life.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: RICHARD BLAKESLEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
onehotgossip
Passing Through
Leonard Cohen
I saw jesus on the cross on a hill called calvary
"do you hate mankind for what they done to you? "
He said, "talk of love not hate, things to do - it's getting late.
I've so little time and I'm only passing through."
Passing through, passing through.
Sometimes happy, sometimes blue,
Glad that I ran into you.
Tell the people that you saw me passing through.
I saw adam leave the garden with an apple in his hand,
I said "now you're out, what are you going to do? "
"plant some crops and pray for rain, maybe raise a little cane.
I'm an orphan now, and I'm only passing through."
Passing through, passing through ...
I was with Washington at valley ford, shivering in the snow.
I said, "how come the men here suffer like they do? "
"men will suffer, men will fight, even die for what is right
Even though they know they're only passing through"
Passing through, passing through ...
I was with Franklin Roosevelt's side on the night before he died.
He said, "one world must come out of world war two" (ah, the fool)
"yankee, russian, white or tan, " he said, "a man is still a man.
We're all on one road, and we're only passing through."
Passing through, passing through ...
Passing through, passing through ...
Songwriters: Richard Blakeslee
Nicol Paul Miranda Mariappen
I saw jesus on the cross on a hill called calvary
"do you hate mankind for what they done to you? "
He said, "talk of love not hate, things to do - it's getting late.
I've so little time and I'm only passing through."
Passing through, passing through.
Sometimes happy, sometimes blue,
Glad that I ran into you.
Tell the people that you saw me passing through.
I saw adam leave the garden with an apple in his hand,
I said "now you're out, what are you going to do? "
"plant some crops and pray for rain, maybe raise a little cane.
I'm an orphan now, and I'm only passing through."
Passing through, passing through ...
I was with washington at valley ford, shivering in the snow.
I said, "how come the men here suffer like they do? "
"men will suffer, men will fight, even die for what is right
Even though they know they're only passing through"
Passing through, passing through ...
I was with franklin roosevelt's side on the night before he died.
He said, "one world must come out of world war two" (ah, the fool)
"yankee, russian, white or tan, " he said, "a man is still a man.
We're all on one road, and we're only passing through."
Passing through, passing through ...
Passing through, passing through ...
Fred Guldbrandsen
1) "I stood on that burning deck of the Dorcester that night while three chaplains gave their lifeboats to the crew-ew-ew,
hand in hand on bended knee they praised god eternally...
they were brothers and were only passing through.
2) "I saw John F Kennedy shot on that Dallas thoroughfare,
will freedom end now that his life if through-ough-ough,
he fought for freedom, liberty, every man's equality.
and we're only passing through.
3) "On a Memphis street I saw a great leader of men Fall,
in a fight for all mankind he found his tru-u-uth.
Dr. Martin Luther King was a man who had a dream,
we're all brothers and we're only passing through."
Antonio Lovranio
Bemti, znalo se da će jednom, ali jebga tako ti je to.
Jedno veliko Hvala za sve što smo od tebe čuli i dobili.
Jedan veliki R.I.P.
Fuck, it was known that one, but jebga that's the thing.
A big thank you for all that we have heard from you and get.
One big R.I.P.
Gus Hutchinson
I was at a party a few years ago and we all formed a a big drunken hug circle and sang this chorus at the top of our lungs. It was a spontaneous tribute to Leonard and a raucus bonding session for us.
We were all fans individually without realising everybody else was.
Kelly Coltrane
Cool.
Taiyo Nishihara
This comment really hit me in a spot i gotta admit.
Zilerte
This has to be the best song to sing drunken to
Nigel A. James - Vienna
This song is more than passing through - it is with us forever! Great
m s
I couldn’t agree more 🙏
John Shaw
Of course, this is a rare cover. Cohen did not write this folk song. Richard Blakeslee did in 1948, during a time when socialists and Marxists in America had a certain degree of optimism in the wake of the US and USSR being allies in the war. Blakeslee was a professor in a Chicago college, and clearly was a genius. Particularly great is the punning line which Adam speaks in the second verse: "Plant some crops and pray for rain, Maybe raise a little cane (or Cain)".....Adam might have been going to plant sugar cane, or cut up a bit (raise a little cain), or raise his son named Cain! Brilliant writing.
Constant Reader
"Raising Cain" was a nice little bit of comic relief before the very moving picture of a dying FDR's hopes that "one world must grow out of WWII (poor fool)"
wendy Darling
I have several LPs from the 70s this is one of them ,a very unique man .
Gav M
The history of mankind in one song. Thanks for passing through Prophet of Love.