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Martha Wainwright – You Cheated Me Lyrics 17 years ago
I read in an interview with Martha (which I'm trying to find again!!) that this song is about cheating yourself with drugs and alcohol etc, watch the music video too. =)

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Leonard Cohen – Dress Rehearsal Rag Lyrics 17 years ago
I definitely agree with the above posts on suicide attempts and rehearsing for the real thing. All thought I don't entirely disagree with the heroin addiction theory I think the song is referring more to a different kind of coping mechanism/self harm, cutting. There's obviously many references made to razor blades and wrists throughout the song. The one that really sells it for me is:
"But you've used up all your coupons
except the one that seems
to be written on your wrist
along with several thousand dreams.
Now Santa Claus comes forward,
that's a razor in his mit..."

Giving up on hopes and dreams, and going to the last resource, cutting (or shooting up if you prefer that theory).

So these 'rehearsals' are cutting with suicide in mind but then retracting and not cutting enough to die from. Or shooting up instead of trying suicide at all, until the next time.

Also,
Rag = to soak up blood?
Rag = To tie around arm for shooting up?

Also the allusions to heroin addiction could just be for the purpose of showing cutting as an addiction and a quick fix in a similar manner. But I'm beginning to agree more with heroin addiction.
what do you think?...

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