Blessed Is The Memory
Rosemary Standley feat. Dom La Nena Lyrics
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That you made in the barn
When the kittens were born
And you could not keep warm
So you moved away the mountain
That the sun rose behind
You said yourself a prayer
You lost them in your freedom
You need him now, you're wild
Blessed is the memory
Of everybody's child
And the vow of compassion
That you swore through your teeth
When the war began to end
And the photographs weep
Well, nobody blames you
As the train pulls away
With its cargo of snow
For these German paper-weights
You lost them in your freedom
You need him now, you're wild
Blessed is the memory
Of everybody's child
Well, its five in the morning
There's no one home
Except for your wife
And your child on the phone
Somebody's got to listen
To a promise or two
Oh, this room is far too small
For a pilgrim like you
You lost them in your freedom
You need him now, you're wild
Blessed is the memory
Of everybody's child
So, now that you've decided
To follow the sun
Like a shadow of birds
Or a King on the run
Oh, your chains are too dark
For the seas you must swim
You're smiling at the seaweed
But your smile is too grim
You lost them in your freedom
You need him now, you're wild
Blessed is the memory
Of everybody's child
Blessed is the memory
Of everybody's child
Blessed is the memory
Of everybody's child
The song "Blessed Is the Memory" by Rosemary Standley feat. Dom La Nena is a haunting and introspective ballad that reflects on the promises we make to ourselves and others and the weight they carry with us throughout our lives. The first verse describes a promise made in a moment of vulnerability, as the singer remembers a time when someone promised to move away the mountain that blocked the sun and lay down with someone who was blind. The promise appears to have been made to someone they cared for deeply, perhaps a lover or someone close to them, but ultimately they were unable to keep it, losing the person in their freedom.
The second verse recalls a vow of compassion made during a time of war and suffering, when the singer swore to do something to help those affected. But as the train pulls away with its "cargo of snow," the singer is left feeling powerless and guilty for not doing more.
The final verse reflects on the weight of promises and the impact they have on our lives, even as things change and we are forced to move on. The singer is alone in a small room with their thoughts, feeling like a pilgrim on a journey with no clear destination. Despite their failures and regrets, they acknowledge the importance of memories and the ways they continue to bless and guide us, even in moments of darkness.
Overall, the song is a beautifully crafted meditation on the power of promises and the ways they shape our lives, both positively and negatively. The lyrics are deep and poetic, filled with vivid imagery and metaphors that draw the listener into the narrative and encourage them to reflect on their own experiences with promises and memories.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember the promise
I recall the commitment that you made
That you made in the barn
The agreement we had inside the barn
When the kittens were born
During the birth of the kittens
And you could not keep warm
And you were feeling cold
So you moved away the mountain
You cleared the obstacle ahead
That the sun rose behind
Through which the sun used to emerge
You said yourself a prayer
You invoked a prayer
Laid down with the blind
And kept your eyes shut
You lost them in your freedom
Your personal freedom resulted in losing them
You need him now, you're wild
You need his support, but you're untamed
Blessed is the memory
Praiseworthy is the recollection
Of everybody's child
Of each and every person's offspring
And the vow of compassion
Also the pledge of pity
That you swore through your teeth
That you took an oath with gritted teeth
When the war began to end
As the war was near its conclusion
And the photographs weep
Amid the pictures shedding tears
Well, nobody blames you
Surely no one accuses you
As the train pulls away
When the train steers off
With its cargo of snow
Along with its load of snow
For these German paper-weights
For these paperweights that came from Germany
Well, its five in the morning
It's dawn
There's no one home
The house is empty
Except for your wife
Except for your spouse
And your child on the phone
And your kid over the phone
Somebody's got to listen
Someone should lend an ear
To a promise or two
To one or two vows
Oh, this room is far too small
This space is too cramped
For a pilgrim like you
For a traveller like you
So, now that you've decided
Therefore, because you've made up your mind
To follow the sun
To pursue the sun
Like a shadow of birds
Like the silhouette of birds
Or a King on the run
Or a fleeing ruler
Oh, your chains are too dark
Your shackles are too opaque
For the seas you must swim
For the oceans you've got to swim in
You're smiling at the seaweed
You're grinning at the alga
But your smile is too grim
However, your smile is too solemn
Blessed is the memory
Praiseworthy is the recollection
Of everybody's child
Of each and every person's offspring
Blessed is the memory
Praiseworthy is the recollection
Of everybody's child
Of each and every person's offspring
Blessed is the memory
Praiseworthy is the recollection
Of everybody's child
Of each and every person's offspring
Writer(s): LEONARD COHEN
Contributed by Chase G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.