So Long Marianne
Leonard Cohen Lyrics

Come over to the window, my little darling
Leonard wants Marianne to come closer to him so that he can read her palm.

I'd like to try to read your palm
Leonard wants to predict Marianne's future by examining the lines on her palm.

I used to think I was some kind of Gypsy boy
Leonard used to think of himself as a free-spirited nomadic person.

Before I let you take me home
Before Leonard allowed Marianne to take him home and settle down in a committed relationship.

Now so long, Marianne
Now that the relationship is ending, Leonard is saying goodbye to Marianne.

It's time that we began to laugh
It's time Leonard and Marianne laughed together.

And cry and cry and laugh about it all again
They should let their emotions out and share their memories with each other.

Well, you know that I love to live with you
Leonard loves spending time with Marianne.

But you make me forget so very much
Marianne makes him so happy that he forgets important things.

I forget to pray for the angels
Leonard forgets to seek divine assistance.

And then the angels forget to pray for us
As Leonard forgets to pray, the Angels may forget to intercede on their behalf.

We met when we were almost young
They fell in love when they were still in their youth.

Deep in the green lilac park
They met in a park surrounded by lilacs.

You held on to me like I was a crucifix
Marianne held on to Leonard tightly, as if he were a religious relic.

As we went kneeling through the dark
They crawled through the dark, holding each other tightly and moving together.

Your letters, they all say that you're beside me now
Marianne's letters to Leonard give the impression that she is always with him.

Then why do I feel alone?
However, Leonard still feels lonely despite the letters.

I'm standing on a ledge and your fine spider web
Leonard feels trapped by Marianne's hold on him like a spider web on a ledge.

Is fastening my ankle to a stone
He feels weighed down by his relationship with Marianne.

For now I need your hidden love
Despite everything, Leonard still requires Marianne's love.

I'm cold as a new razorblade
Leonard is emotionally cold and unfeeling.

You left when I told you I was curious
Marianne left Leonard when he expressed an interest in seeing other people.

I never said that I was brave
Leonard confesses he was scared of being alone.

Oh, you are really such a pretty one
Leonard thinks Marianne is a beautiful woman.

I see you've gone and changed your name again
Marianne has changed her name a few times that reflects her personality.

And just when I climbed this whole mountainside
Leonard has made a lot of effort for the relationship.

To wash my eyelids in the rain
He wants to wash his face and forget his previous memories of Marianne.

Oh, so long, Marianne
The song ends with Leonard bidding a final farewell to Marianne.

It's time that we began to laugh
Though their relationship has come to a sad end, it's time to move on and be happy.

And cry and cry and laugh about it all again
It's time to let emotions out and cherish memories together.