You Want It Darker
Leonard Cohen Lyrics
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If you are the healer, it means I'm broken and lame
If Thine is the glory, then mine must be the shame
You want it darker
We kill the flame
Magnified, sanctified, be Thy holy name
Vilified, crucified, in the human frame
You want it darker
Hineni, hineni
I'm ready, my Lord
There's a lover in the story
But the story's still the same
There's a lullaby for suffering
And a paradox to blame
But it's written in the Scriptures
And it's not some idle claim
You want it darker
We kill the flame
They're lining up the prisoners
And the guards are taking aim
I struggled with some demons
They were middle class and tame
I didn't know I had permission to murder and to maim
You want it darker
Hineni, hineni
I'm ready, my Lord
Magnified, sanctified, be Thy holy name
Vilified, crucified, in the human frame
A million candles burning for the love that never came
You want it darker
We kill the flame
If you are the dealer, let me out of the game
If you are the healer, I'm broken and lame
If Thine is the glory, mine must be the shame
You want it darker
Hineni, hineni
Hineni, hineni
I'm ready, my Lord
Hineni
Hineni, hineni
Hineni
Leonard Cohen’s song “You Want It Darker” is a haunting interpretation of accepting death and confronting the darkness within oneself. The lyrics depict a dialogue between Cohen and a higher power, where he proclaims his readiness to meet his maker. Through the lyrics “If you are the dealer, I'm out of the game” and “If you are the healer, it means I'm broken and lame,” Cohen acknowledges that he is ready to leave this mortal world and enter the unknown. The phrase “You want it darker” is repeated throughout the song, evoking a sense of impending doom and finality.
The lyrics also explore themes of shame and redemption, expressed through the lines “If thine is the glory then mine must be the shame” and “We kill the flame.” Cohen is accepting his own faults and is ready to face the consequences of his actions. The Jewish phrase “Hineni” which means “Here I am” is repeated throughout the song, which is traditionally used when someone is called to perform religious duties. Cohen is using the phrase to signify that he is ready to answer the call of his higher power and accept his fate.
Line by Line Meaning
If you are the dealer, I'm out of the game
If you're the one in control, I want no part in this anymore.
If you are the healer, it means I'm broken and lame
If you're the one who can fix me, then it means I'm beyond repair and helpless on my own.
If thine is the glory then mine must be the shame
If you're the one who is deserving of praise, then that means I must be the one who is unworthy and shameful.
You want it darker
You desire a world that is more dismal and foreboding.
We kill the flame
We extinguish the light and hope that used to exist.
Magnified, sanctified, be thy holy name
We acknowledge and revere your divine name and presence.
Vilified, crucified, in the human frame
We have often been reviled and put through intense suffering, as though we were crucified in human form.
A million candles burning for the help that never came
Though we have prayed for aid and guidance many times, it has never come.
Hineni, hineni
Here I am, ready to serve and follow your will.
There's a lover in the story
There is someone who loves in this tale.
But the story's still the same
Even so, the narrative remains unchanged and unfulfilled.
There's a lullaby for suffering
There exists a soothing tune for all those who suffer.
And a paradox to blame
Yet we often feel that there is a contradiction or inexplicable twist to this situation.
But it's written in the scriptures
It is recorded in the holy texts and teachings.
And it's not some idle claim
This is not just an empty assertion.
They're lining up the prisoners
Human beings are being held captive en masse.
And the guards are taking aim
Those in power and authority are preparing to attack and harm the captives.
I struggled with some demons
I battled against my inner demons and dark thoughts.
They were middle class and tame
My demons were surprisingly conventional and unremarkable, despite their negative impact on me.
I didn't know I had permission to murder and to maim
I was unaware that I had the authority or freedom to cause harm to others.
If you are the dealer, let me out of the game
If you are the one calling the shots, please release me from this cycle of control.
If you are the healer, I'm broken and lame
If you are the only one who can mend me, then it means that I am facing a dire state of disrepair and disability.
If thine is the glory, mine must be the shame
If you are truly deserving of honor and acclaim, then I must accept that I am deserving of guilt and embarrassment.
Hineni, hineni
Here I am, presenting myself to be used as per your command.
Hineni, hineni
Here I am, ready to serve you in any way that you see fit.
Hineni
I am willing to do your bidding, whatever it may entail.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Leonard Cohen, Patrick Leonard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@corbeau-_-
he basically sings how dark humanity is - we kill the flame (with permission to murder and to maim).
He's ready because of this: a million candles burning for a love that never came... He's ready (for eternal darkness - the flames burn for no one in the end).
It's also more than just Hineni, it's hineni twice. This seems to refer to the bible, the 2nd time it is mentioned is when Abraham presents his son to god - to sacrifice him: Here I am... Perhaps I'm too cynical about it, but wanting it darker is hard to see in a lighter sense ;)
"God calls Abraham by name, and Abraham’s response (Gen 22:1) is hineni: here I am. We can assume that God knows where Abraham is, and that Abraham himself knows that God does not need any help finding Abraham. So Abraham’s hineni is a response of a servant to his master, just as Abraham has already responded several times in faith earlier in Genesis: to leave his home and go where God sends him (Gen 12:1), and to trust in God’s promises (Gen 12:2-3; Gen 15, Gen 17 and Gen 18). But note that Abraham makes this first hineni response to God in chapter 22, before he knows what the Lord wants of him.
Abraham’s second hineni is in response to his son Isaac, as they are on the journey towards the mountain where Isaac is to be sacrificed. Isaac addresses Abraham as “my father”, and Abraham responds “hineni, my son” (Gen 22:7). This hineni is the loving response of a father to his son’s call, even more poignant as we know that Abraham is being asked to sacrifice his beloved son, his “only son” (Gen 22:2).
Abraham’s third and final hineni comes when the angel of the Lord intervenes, just as Abraham is about to kill his son. The angel calls his name twice: “Abraham, Abraham”, and Abraham responds: hineni (Gen 22:11). Abraham’s third hineni is once again the response of a servant, but from a deeper place, both emotionally and spiritually, from his first two “hineni”s. We may say that his first hineni comes out of awe, the second from love, and the third from his suffering. And therefore hineni implies not just readiness, not just service, but also surrender and taking responsibility – even being ready to change course if that’s what the Lord asks us to do.".
This is the only thing that makes me doubt my cynicism here... The 2 hineni's refer to love - seemingly.
At any rate, he considered himself to be a Jew and a Buddhist, an odd mix at best - making it harder to properly read into ;)
He knew the end was nigh, that is sure.
@NedGorman
Amen, goodguypete. . '17 calls upon us all to grow a few inches in height, ignore the media's narcissistic projections of red & blue states, mix 'em up and make 'em purple.
Mr. Cohen understood that. His poetry was the lance piercing the armor of petty bloviating con men like "The King of Orange" and his fascist minions:
"I can't run no more
with that lawless crowd
while the killers in high places
say their prayers out loud.
But they've summoned, they've summoned up
a thundercloud
and they're going to hear from me."
@ehgoksor
He's a part of the Old School, that we can never replace. Nobody can sing like him.
I don't know.. Like, what the hell are we going to do know ?
Leonard is gone.. And with him, a part of the music generation that, kept it going, no matter what.
There were no talking about, quitting while on top. Taking a break.
i actually believe, that his song, was his way of telling us that this was his last piece of art. He knew he were dying, and this was his way of telling us.. By making one hell of a good album.
So many childhood memories with his music. Damn it !
R.I.P Leonard. #SoLong
Hineni, Hineni
I'm ready, my lord..
@sonicfoxxmusic4281
Thanks to everybody who answered my question on this thread.
A LEONARD COHEN STORY...to go down in history maybe.....
I would love to share a very touching and funny moment in my life which included my best friend's son who hated Leonard Cohen and the fact that my best friend and i had spent years, nay decades taking ridicule from my best friend's son because of our adoration for everything that is and was Leonard Cohen.
So, after years of ridicule on the subject, the following really happened. My best friend's son decided to get married. A night before the wedding, we were all around at my best friend's house when he decided to play one of Leonard's songs. Off marched my best friend's son to do what he normally did. TURN THE CD PLAYER OFF and replace Leonard with other songs as soon as his father's back was turned. A huge argument ensued and in the battle many swear words were exchanged. So, that sets up the night before the wedding.
Moving forward to the day of the wedding and trust me, you couldn't make this up. I am sitting next to my best friend's brother who has decided to film the wedding(with permission) and just as he turns the camera towards my best friend's son, i happen to notice my best friend talking to his ex-wife. Quite a lovely moment captured on the camera. But what came next has to be one of the funniest things i have ever witnessed. The vicar has started to talk very quietly to the bride-to-be and the groom(my best friend's son remember..and ultimate hater of Mr Cohen and his music), when suddenly, with no warning a song starts to gently play in the background...Leonard Cohen's SECRET LIFE...my best friend picks up on the moment and turns to look at his brother and in particular, myself to see if i have heard Leonard. Damn right i had. I was doing my level best not to give away my "internal laughter of epic proportions" and slowly failing in my task..looks passed back and forth(with larger and larger smiles..and a little laughter until suddenly my best friend's brother started laughing because he had noticed my best friend's son had suddenly woken up to the idea that somehow LEONARD COHEN has found his way into the wedding.
Now the laughter has spread as people in the congregation who were asking each other what the laughter was about and word was spreading about what is happening...THE WHOLE CHURCH IS NOW IN FITS OF LAUGHTER...as the slightly angry groom turned and said to the vicar....
"sorry Vicar, do you mind me asking..WHAT IN THE HELL IS THAT PLAYING FOR....WHO ARRANGED THIS SH*T"...the vicar's answer came swift and sure.."i guess that would be the great Leonard Cohen himself son...i think the man worthy of playing at anybody's wedding..or FUNERAL of course...are you ready to get married my son?"
THE MARRIAGE barely lasted a year....topped sadly by Leonard's sad demise.
STILL...we have the great man's creation..RIP sir...as one songwriter to another...respect to you.
@briankelly85
Do not stand at my gave and weep
I am not there,
I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.I am the sunlight
On the ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn’s rain.When you awaken in the morning hush,
I am the swift uplifting rushof quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there.
I did not die.My Spirit is still alive…
@felixmarques
Stones Jones
Hatred? My comment describes religious teachings as “a source of joy and insight”. Maybe you're a bit blinded yourself, and didn't read my comment carefully.
This the song's description straight from the album's press release:
«1. “You Want It Darker”
Hypnotic groove. The surprise of a great synagogue choir. An unflinching exploration of the religious mind.
“Didn’t know I had permission to murder and to maim.”»
Mine is definitely one of the possible interpretations. I hadn't even thought of it like that until I read the press release.
Moreover, my post doesn't say that religious people are all terrible. It just says that the song might criticize that specific behavior. I didn't claim that drive towards darkness manifested in every religious person.
You can miscast me as a religion-hater, but that's entirely your decision. If I hated religious themes, why on Earth would I be a fan of Cohen anyway…?
@xXESSwiftXx
God - How deep would you like your voice?
Leonard Cohen - Yes
@l1585
wasn't his voice higher before like in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svitEEpI07E
@heulveul4075
couldn't resist laughing out loud.
@lizb1489
🤣🤣🤣🤣
@Raz337
Some say his first love lost her virginity just from him whispering in her ear.
@muhammadrifqi7308
@@l1585 he took up smoking and then his voice went two octaves lower. Personally i found his deep voice to fit much better with his often bleak, defeatist lyrics. It gave him this tired-and-don't-care persona of an aging old man.
@highlordxeleth
"A million candles burning for the love that never came."
Damn. This one cuts deep.
@leegibson18
What's crazy is it a religious reference saying a million prayers to God went unanswered.
@teaz3139
@@christywright3430 @Christy Wright Bro, Cohen was Jewish but he didn't believe that one bit. The candles likely represent the souls of the million who died in Auschwitz, which was controversially never bombed.
@Freecell82
@DanOfTheWild Imagine fucking justifying not stopping the holocaust