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.
Sisters Of Mercy
Leonard Cohen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They were waiting for me when I thought that I just can't go on
And they brought me their comfort and later they brought me this song
Oh, I hope you run into them, you who've been travelling so long
Yes, you who must leave everything that you cannot control
It begins with your family, but soon it comes around to your soul
Well, I've been where you're hanging, I think I can see how you're pinned
Well, they lay down beside me, I made my confession to them
They touched both my eyes and I touched the dew on their hem
If your life is a leaf that the seasons tear off and condemn
They will bind you with love that is graceful and green as a stem
When I left they were sleeping, I hope you run into them soon
Don't turn on the lights, you can read their address by the moon
And you won't make me jealous if I hear that they sweetened your night
We weren't lovers like that and besides, it would still be alright
We weren't lovers like that and besides, it would still be alright
The lyrics to Leonard Cohen's song "Sisters of Mercy" describe the singer's encounter with a group of women who offer him comfort and solace at a time when he can no longer go on. The sisters of mercy, as the title suggests, are a metaphorical representation of kindness and compassion, a group of people who are always there to lend a helping hand. The singer suggests that those who have been traveling for a long time will also encounter these sisters, who will provide them with the love and support they need.
The second verse of the song suggests that the need for the sisters of mercy arises not only from external circumstances like family problems, but also from internal struggles. The singer notes that he's been in a similar place as those who need the sisters' help, and understands the sense of being pinned down and unable to escape from one's own thoughts and feelings. The third verse speaks to the healing power of the sisters' love, even suggesting that they have the ability to "bind" the broken pieces of one's life together once again.
Overall, "Sisters of Mercy" is a powerful and evocative song that speaks to the importance of kindness, compassion, and love in difficult times. Its simple yet profound lyrics have resonated with listeners for decades, and continue to speak to the human experience today.
Line by Line Meaning
All the sisters of mercy, they are not departed or gone
The people who help and support us during difficult times are always there for us, even if we don't see them.
They were waiting for me when I thought that I just can't go on
During his darkest hours, the Sisters of Mercy were there for Leonard Cohen to give him comfort and hope.
And they brought me their comfort and later they brought me this song
Through their kindness and compassion, the Sisters of Mercy not only provided Leonard Cohen with comfort but also inspired him to create this song.
Oh, I hope you run into them, you who've been travelling so long
Cohen encourages others who feel lost and alone to seek out the Sisters of Mercy for their guidance and support.
Yes, you who must leave everything that you cannot control
Cohen acknowledges that there are aspects of life that are beyond our control, and that we must learn to let go and move on.
It begins with your family, but soon it comes around to your soul
Starting with our relationships with our family, our search for meaning and purpose in life soon becomes an inward journey towards our own soul.
Well, I've been where you're hanging, I think I can see how you're pinned
Cohen empathizes with those who are struggling and says that he has been there himself and can understand their pain.
When you're not feeling holy, your loneliness says that you've sinned
In moments of despair, people may feel a sense of guilt or shame as if they have done something wrong to deserve their suffering.
Well, they lay down beside me, I made my confession to them
The Sisters of Mercy provided Cohen with a safe space to open up and be vulnerable about his innermost feelings and fears.
They touched both my eyes and I touched the dew on their hem
Through their caring touch, the Sisters of Mercy connected with Cohen's heart and soul, and he felt a sense of renewal and hope.
If your life is a leaf that the seasons tear off and condemn
Cohen acknowledges the transient nature of life and how difficult it can be to face the inevitability of change and loss.
They will bind you with love that is graceful and green as a stem
Despite the impermanence of life, the love and support we receive from those we cherish can bring lasting comfort and solace.
When I left they were sleeping, I hope you run into them soon
Cohen expresses his gratitude and hopes that others may also have a chance to experience the kindness and generosity of the Sisters of Mercy.
Don't turn on the lights, you can read their address by the moon
Cohen suggests that the Sisters of Mercy are not easy to find, but rather can be discovered through intuition and guidance from the natural world.
And you won't make me jealous if I hear that they sweetened your night
Cohen expresses that he does not feel possessive or jealous of the relationship others may have with the Sisters of Mercy, but rather hopes that they bring love and comfort to all who need it.
We weren't lovers like that and besides, it would still be alright
Cohen clarifies that his relationship with the Sisters of Mercy was not a romantic one, but rather one of mutual respect and appreciation that transcends all other forms of love.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Leonard Cohen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mehmet Koca
This is real art, I can feel it In my bones, In my heart and my soul... Leonard was the man, I will always feel pure respect for him.
Zach Kopka. Zake
Ever heard tower of song?
Mehmet Koca
@Zach Kopka. Zake Yes, I did
David Brown
Oh Leonard, you always found angels to sing with you.
Neil finer Campbell
Saw the t. Hotel reminiscent of Holmes ... The red hand
Leonardoes164
@Neil finer Campbell what a fella!
Jeff Buckley
Yeah Jeff Buckley is waiting for a long time
David Mitchell
His songs are like poetry and are like a comfort blanket to me.
jim boyko
May Mr. Cohen's music never die .
S Greg
Wont around my house and, I live on top of a small mountain, so all neighbours below shall never forget either. granny still rocking it. they must think some nut bag is at it, i go fromoldies, classical, new, Rap, especially my sons music, it rips through the gulley. I was once sent an anon letter saying whilst they love the music, could it stop before dawn, lol, 'Nah we had a full band up here, I write , mates make music, i cant sing but give me a drum set and a mic and i am going at it.