The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
I've seen you change the water into wine
I've seen you change it back to water too
I sit at your table every night
I try, but I just don't get by with you
I wish there was a treaty we could sign
I do not care who takes this bloody hill
I'm angry and I'm tired all the time
I wish there was a treaty
I wish there was a treaty
Between your love and mine
Ah, they're dancing in the street, it's Jubilee
We sold ourselves for love, but now we're free
I'm so sorry for that ghost I made you be
Only one of us was real
And that was me
I haven't said a word since you've been gone
That any liar couldn't say as well
I just can't believe the static coming on
You were my ground, my safe and sound
You were my Ariel
Oh, the fields are crying out, it's Jubilee
We sold ourselves for love, but now we're free
I'm so sorry for that ghost I made you be
Only one of us was real
And that was me
I heard the snake was baffled by his sin
He shed his scales to find the snake within
But born again is born without a skin
The poison enters into everything
And I wish there was a treaty we could sign
I do not care who takes this bloody hill
I'm angry and I'm tired all the time
I wish there was a treaty
I wish there was a treaty
Between your love and mine
I've seen you change it back to water too
I sit at your table every night
I try, but I just don't get by with you
I wish there was a treaty we could sign
I do not care who takes this bloody hill
I'm angry and I'm tired all the time
I wish there was a treaty
I wish there was a treaty
Between your love and mine
Ah, they're dancing in the street, it's Jubilee
We sold ourselves for love, but now we're free
I'm so sorry for that ghost I made you be
Only one of us was real
And that was me
I haven't said a word since you've been gone
That any liar couldn't say as well
I just can't believe the static coming on
You were my ground, my safe and sound
You were my Ariel
Oh, the fields are crying out, it's Jubilee
We sold ourselves for love, but now we're free
I'm so sorry for that ghost I made you be
Only one of us was real
And that was me
I heard the snake was baffled by his sin
He shed his scales to find the snake within
But born again is born without a skin
The poison enters into everything
And I wish there was a treaty we could sign
I do not care who takes this bloody hill
I'm angry and I'm tired all the time
I wish there was a treaty
I wish there was a treaty
Between your love and mine
Lyrics submitted by bloodangel
Treaty Lyrics as written by Leonard Cohen
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Someone please tell me, what does he mean by "you were my aerial"?
That's a pretty important lyric, I can't figure it out for the life of me ; )
thanks in advance~
@emptyempty Well Urban Dictionary implies it is a slang word for a basically amazing woman. This is actually backed by 110 votes with low amount of down votes so I guess it is used. The word comes from Greek and means something that is pertaining to the air rising aloft, high. Ultimately meaning a woman that does not belong to the Earth in our case - Aerial.
@jan1012966 awesome thank you!!!! I have never heard that word before but that makes perfect sense, thank you so much for replying I appreciate it very much : ): ) : )
@emptyempty it links to the line 'I just can't believe the static coming on'. He feels like a radio without an aerial - just crackling/white noise. He needs her, his aerial, to tune into life, to make sense of things.
@emptyempty I've been a fan of Leonard for many years, and a fan of this site for several as well. Your question about this excellent song actually compelled me to create an account at long last. <br /> I may be over simplifying, but I believe the line to be read and interpreted complete " You were my ground , my safe and sound, you were my aerial ". With no disrespect to the other thoughts provided. I believe that she was the earth he stood on and the air he breathed. Aerial can be defined as "of the air". I believe he felt that this person or entity was all.
@LCfanforlife you made my day by telling me that : ) glad to meet another LC fan and glad you were inspired to create an account. this is a truly amazing song, by a truly amazing artist. may his work remain forever : )
@n3veragain, I don't know why I never received a notification for your reply, I really like your interpretation. I like them all, I guess it will just have to be one of those things I never know completely. Many blessings : )
Hey everyone, I found something interesting out today, I heard someone reading from the Bible in Isaiah 29 and they used the word "Arial". The word is another name for Jerusalem, and can also be used to mean "victorious under God."<br /> <br /> As any good LC fan will know, Leonard was Jewish, and used these themes in his music often (even within this very song, his references to Jubilee are a great example). I am super confused by his spelling of it, though, as I dug out the digital booklet that came with the album and he spelled it "aerial" in the lyrics that came along with the cd. So, it looks like I am reading too much into this coincidence, but I thought I'd pass along the info nevertheless ; ) Shalom ♥<br />
@emptyempty <br /> <br /> I was also finally compelled to creat an account because of this song alone lol <br /> <br /> But my take on this song is that Leonard is writing about his relationship with God, and how either no longer believes or writing on a cynical perspective of Leonard's sinful nature. <br /> The lyrics, "I just cant believe the static coming on" can refer to the stationary position that God holds, with "aerial" in the next verse being God that is Leonard's driving winds that allow Leonard to pursue God. However, "I'm sorry for that ghost I made you be. One of us was real and that was me." was either; a change in perspective between him and God, a notion of cynicality comparing the realness of humanity to sinful nature, or its the one line that makes this song a plea that Leonard no longer believes in a God... So im still unsure, but would personally love Leonard to have a commentary on it.
@Flounderpumpkin thank you for your reply. I agree with you. To me, the whole song is discussing a Treaty between God and himself : ) and I think much of the album is the same, he was so close to death and was working through so much. I am so grateful that he shared this work with us.<br /> <br /> I am a spiritual person and that is why I have always held Leonard's music so close and dear. I always think he is speaking to or about God in a lot of his work, but I try to be careful that I'm not projecting too much ; )~ I do absolutely believe this entire song is written to God though. I agree with you.
@emptyempty I agree that this song results of Cohen’s wrestling with God during his life. He had both fantastic and very disappointing experiences with God, and now, at the end of his life, he longs for a treaty to stop the wrestling. You were my aerial could mean that God was his contact with the Universe, contact he lost since he began to doubt God is a loving being. But he doubts as well that he is not the one to blame in the fight, as he is a sinfull being. <br /> It takes a wrestling with God to create a divine song.
@MarkBehets very well said sir, agreed.<br /> <br /> After a few months thinking and discussing I very much feel that he is speaking to the Lord, and the song always resonates with me when I sing it as such. "You were my ground, my safe and sound, ...my aerial"... and because of that I can't believe the static coming on... that feeling in itself I commiserate with very well.<br /> <br /> Blessings, and love~
@emptyempty Thanks and lots of enjoyment with Leonard’s songs!