The Traitor
Leonard Cohen Lyrics

Now the Swan it floated on the English river
The song starts with the image of a swan floating on a river as a symbol of charisma and beauty.

Ah the Rose of High Romance it opened wide
The rose is also seen as a symbol of love, particularly a passionate and intense love.

A sun tanned woman yearned me through the summer
The singer reflects on his romantic exploits, particularly with a woman who was in love with him during the summer.

And the judges watched us from the other side
This line suggests that there was a sense of scrutiny surrounding the artist's relationship, as if people were judging it from afar.

I told my mother "Mother I must leave you
The artist confesses to his mother that he must leave home for an unknown period of time.

Preserve my room but do not shed a tear
The singer asks his mother not to cry or be too upset when he leaves, but to keep his room intact while he's away.

Should rumour of a shabby ending reach you
The singer gives his mother a warning for the possibility of a bad outcome in his life, but at the same time takes some responsibility for this event.

It was half my fault and half the atmosphere"
The artist shows some acceptance of the consequences of his own actions, but also recognizes that outside influences played a role in the outcome.

But the Rose I sickened with a scarlet fever
The artist describes how he caused harm and eventually 'killed' the passionate love that he had with the woman who loved him during the summer.

And the Swan I tempted with a sense of shame
The artist describes how he tempted and corrupted the sense of beauty and love represented by the swan with shameful actions.

She said at last I was her finest lover
The woman with whom the singer had the romantic encounter declares that he was her most beloved partner.

And if she withered I would be to blame
She blames the artist for her eventual decline, both from the illness and also from the pain caused by the artist's actions.

The judges said you missed it by a fraction
The singer likens the people around him to judges, who ironically point out the small details that the singer has missed or failed to achieve.

Rise up and brace your troops for the attack
The judges encourage the singer to stand up and face adversity, prepared to fight for his dreams and beliefs.

Ah the dreamers ride against the men of action
The singer acknowledges that there are different types of people, and sometimes those who have bold dreams may not be as successful as those who take action to make their dreams come true.

Oh see the men of action falling back
Despite the admiration for action-oriented individuals, the artist notes that there isn't always 100% success, and emphasizes that failure can indeed happen to anyone.

But I lingered on her thighs a fatal moment
The artist reveals an intimate and sensual moment he had with the woman he loved and caused illness, sickening her forever.

I kissed her lips as though I thirsted still
The singer is still drawn to the woman embodying the passion he had during the summer, and longs for it still.

My falsity had stung me like a hornet
The singer admits his own shortcomings and admits that he is now experiencing consequences of his own dishonest and hurtful behavior.

The poison sank and it paralyzed my will
The artist indicates that the experience of harming someone he loved so much has caused a level of pain and inaction in him.

I could not move to warn all the younger soldiers
The artist reflects on his own inability to help and protect those who might have been similarly vulnerable to his actions.

That they had been deserted from above
The artist acknowledges that he has let down people who may have looked to him for guidance or support due to the reality of his own failure.

So on battlefields from here to Barcelona
The singer highlights the idea that his inactions have extended beyond his own personal circle, and reinforce notions of betrayal.

I'm listed with the enemies of love
The artist admits to being a roadblock for love, seen as an opponent of love, and therefore facing consequences of that decision.

And long ago she said "I must be leaving,
The singer recalls a conversation he had with the woman from the summer and describes her departure from him.

Ah but keep my body here to lie upon
The singer remembers the desire of the woman who loved him to have her body be close to his, long after their imminent parting.

You can move it up and down and when I'm sleeping
The singer recalls an intimate moment with the woman he loved, who gave him permission to move her body as much as he wanted (when she was asleep).

Run some wire through that Rose and wind the Swan"
The woman asked the artist to create a tableau with her (represented by the rose) and himself (represented by the swan), while they were physically apart, but spiritually connected.

So daily I renew my idle duty
The artist admits that he can't move on from the romantic encounter he had with the woman, and continues to relive the past over and over again.

I touch her here and there, I know my place
The singer tries to hold on to the memories of the woman he loved by touching her in her memory and acts as if there is still a connection between them.

I kiss her open mouth and I praise her beauty
The singer shows that he still longs for the woman he loved, both physically and emotionally, and demonstrates respect and admiration for her beauty.

And people call me traitor to my face
Given the artist's inability to let go of the past, others judge him harshly, making him feel as if he is betraying someone or something, such as the concept of 'moving on'.