Tower Of Song
The Jesus a Mary Chain Lyrics
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And I ache in all the places where I used to play
And I'm crazy for love, but I'm not coming on
I'm just paying my rent every day in the tower of song
I said to Hank Williams, "How lonely does it get?"
Hank Williams hasn't answered yet
But I hear him coughing all night long
Come on
I was born like this, I had no choice
I was born with the gift of a golden voice
And twenty seven angels from the great beyond
They tied me to this table right here in the tower of song
So you can stick your little pins in that voodoo doll
I'm very sorry baby doesn't look like me at all
And I'm standing by the window where the light is strong
They don't let a woman kill you, not in the tower of song
Come on
Now you can say that I've grown bitter, hut of this you maybe sure
The rich have got their channels in the bedrooms of the poor
And there's a mighty judgment coming, but I maybe wrong
You see I hear these funny voices in the tower of song
Now I bid you farewell I don't know when I'll be back
They're moving us tomorrow to that tower down the track
But you'll be hearing from me baby long after I'm gone
I'll be speaking to you sweetly from my window in the tower of song
Come on
The Jesus and Mary Chain's Tower of Song is a melancholic and introspective take on the passing of time and the effects it has on one's life. The opening lines paint a desolate picture of a man left alone as his friends have gone and his hair has turned grey. He feels the aches and pains of growing old and reminisces on the carefree days of his youth. Despite being in love, he is not pursuing anyone and instead focuses on earning his living, which he likens to paying his rent in the tower of song. He then imagines himself talking to the late country singer Hank Williams and hearing his coughing from a one hundred floors above in the tower of song.
The second verse is a reflection on the singer's own life, as he claims to have been born with the gift of a golden voice but ultimately finds himself tied down to a table in the tower of song. He tells off anyone who may try to harm him, figuratively speaking, by saying that they cannot kill him in the tower of song. He then comments on the social divide between the rich and the poor and foretells of an impending judgment, before concluding on a bittersweet note. He bids farewell to his listeners and states that they will hear from him long after he is gone, as he plans to continue speaking sweetly to them from his window in the tower of song.
Line by Line Meaning
Well my friends are gone, my hair is grey
I feel lonely and aged. My friends are gone, and my hair has turned gray.
And I ache in all the places where I used to play
My body is not as young as it used to be, and I feel the pains from where I used to play.
And I'm crazy for love, but I'm not coming on
I desire love deeply, but I am not actively pursuing it.
I'm just paying my rent every day in the tower of song
My job is making music, and I am dedicating my life to it.
I said to Hank Williams, 'How lonely does it get?''
I asked Hank Williams, how lonely one can get?
Hank Williams hasn't answered yet
Hank Williams has not responded yet.
But I hear him coughing all night long
Sometimes I can hear Hank coughing in the distance.
A one hundred floors above me in the, in the tower of song
Hank Williams may be in the same business with me, but he is much more experienced.
I was born like this, I had no choice
I have a gift for music, and I did not choose it.
I was born with the gift of a golden voice
I was born with the gift of a beautiful voice.
And twenty seven angels from the great beyond
I feel like I have the support of a higher power.
They tied me to this table right here in the tower of song
Music is all I know, and I am committed to it.
So you can stick your little pins in that voodoo doll
You can try to bring me down, but I won't let you.
I'm very sorry baby doesn't look like me at all
I'm not perfect, and I apologize if I don't meet your expectations.
And I'm standing by the window where the light is strong
I am in a place where I can see things clearly.
They don't let a woman kill you, not in the tower of song
Music can't hurt me, even if a woman does.
Now you can say that I've grown bitter, hut of this you maybe sure
People may think I have turned bitter, but that's not the case.
The rich have got their channels in the bedrooms of the poor
The wealthy have control over the poor.
And there's a mighty judgment coming, but I maybe wrong
There may come a reckoning, but I can't be certain.
You see I hear these funny voices in the tower of song
Music is always present in my life, and I am always hearing voices and sounds.
Now I bid you farewell I don't know when I'll be back
I am leaving now, and I am not sure when I will be able to return.
They're moving us tomorrow to that tower down the track
I will be moving to a new place where I can make music.
But you'll be hearing from me baby long after I'm gone
I will continue making music even if I am not here.
I'll be speaking to you sweetly from my window in the tower of song
My music will speak to you long after I am gone.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Leonard Cohen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
beefor sam
couldn't agree more, it's also one of the best covers of anything, ever
Lawn Greene
One of their unheralded classic recordings. Hope Leonard was proud of the tribute!
Alan Bateman
The Mary Chain always did great covers, RIP Mr Cohen
Night Mike
Totally one of their prime examples at how great they dotheir covers, they retain all spirit of the originals, one of their finest tracks.
Herron BMX Racing
Just listened to Tom Jones sining it on Later with Jools, he nailed it, but this is is by all means the best cover ever.
drumgold23
Yup. Absolutely the best version.
Wim Van de lagemaat
Best cover. Ever from Leonard cohen
d mac
the best version of this song...next to Cohen himself of course
Mike Thompson
d mac You said it!
Lezlie Sammon
Jesus himself love's this