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Treaty Lyrics
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 high 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 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 aerial
Ah, 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 high 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
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 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 aerial
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
He shed his scales to find the snake within
But born again is born without a skin
The poison enters into everything
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
Song Info
Submitted by
bloodangel On Nov 12, 2016
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Cohen's allusions are always complex and this nod to Ariel is no exception. I think you'll find your answer in Shelley's poem With a guitar. To Jane. Then again, maybe not, but that's my take on it.
@mpg48 I just saw this comment today, I don't get notified if it's not tied to the thread. Very well said, they are always complex. Thank you for the tip I will check it out.
@mpg48 I just saw this comment today, I don't get notified if it's not tied to the thread. Very well said, they are always complex. Thank you for the tip I will check it out.
@mpg48 Aeriel is known as the Lion of Judah. Gender neutral Archangel, guardian of all the created nature, of all the immanence of God. Treaty is a Psalm to God. A psalm of disorientation tinged with regret at end of life. We are gifted life and the angels watch over us, but we are free to fail. “We sold ourselves for love but now we’re free.” Aligns with line in You want it Darker, “I didn’t know I had permission to murder and to maim” . We are free, but we have conscience and sense of duty to live in a...
@mpg48 Aeriel is known as the Lion of Judah. Gender neutral Archangel, guardian of all the created nature, of all the immanence of God. Treaty is a Psalm to God. A psalm of disorientation tinged with regret at end of life. We are gifted life and the angels watch over us, but we are free to fail. “We sold ourselves for love but now we’re free.” Aligns with line in You want it Darker, “I didn’t know I had permission to murder and to maim” . We are free, but we have conscience and sense of duty to live in a higher way, but we often fall short. So there is remorse, felt deeply at end of life
With "you are my aerial" I figured he was talking about a floating, connected existence. But, with it being Cohen, I'm sure it's meaning is heavily layered.
I’m assuming the Treaty Mr Cohen speaks of is between himself and G_d. Other views?
@cmr3053
@cmr3053
I wholesomely agree, but the lyrics, "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 (which is true), or its the one line that makes this song a plea that Leonard no longer believes in a God...
I wholesomely agree, but the lyrics, "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 (which is true), or its the one line that makes this song a plea that Leonard no longer believes in a God...
@cmr3053 I agree with you.
@cmr3053 I agree with you.
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.
@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 : ): ) : )
@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 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. 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...
@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. 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 : )
@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 : )
@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."
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."
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...
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 ♥
@emptyempty
@emptyempty
I was also finally compelled to creat an account because of this song alone lol
I was also finally compelled to creat an account because of this song alone lol
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. 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...
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. 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.
@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.
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...
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. It takes a wrestling with God to create a...
@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. It takes a wrestling with God to create a divine song.
@MarkBehets very well said sir, agreed.
@MarkBehets very well said sir, agreed.
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.
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.
Blessings, and love~
Blessings, and love~
@emptyempty Thanks and lots of enjoyment with Leonard’s songs!
@emptyempty Thanks and lots of enjoyment with Leonard’s songs!
I'm confident that "aerial" in this sense is a metaphor that goes along with the reference to "static" (signal interference of electromagnetic waves). In the US, we would almost always call it an "antenna", but it is "aerial" to many, if not most, other English-speaking locales. Whomever is being referenced is, obviously, someone who helps the speaker to hear invisible signals more clearly.
With regard to following verses: They’re dancing in the street, it’s Jubilee We sold ourselves for love but now we’re free
I found that Jubilee is a Jewish celebration where all slaves are set free. But why says Cohen in the next verse ‘we’? Does he mean ‘me and God’ as the whole song is about him and God? How can God sell himself and thereafter become free?
I think longing for a 'treaty' is longing for security and common ground once a meaningful love affair is over. The first and second stanzas describe the relationship as something domestically blissful and as miraculous as turning water into wine (first stanza), + as something which made the singer complete: his partner was his truth ('I haven't said a word ... that any liar couldn't say as well') and both earth and sky/aerial (second stanza). The 'static' of silence after the separation is thus hard to believe contrasted with such a deep communication.
The chorus introduces the central theme, which is freedom. On the one hand, the singer would rather be bound by a treaty establishing how things might continue even regardless of costs, ego etc. ('I do not care who takes this bloody hill') On the other hand there is some freedom gained by the separation. Being in love meant enslavement and breaking up is liberating ('we sold ourselves for love, but now we're free'), like a jubilee in the Jewish tradition. Through this separation he also realizes he treated his partner as a fragment of himself rather than a flesh-and-blood human being, reminiscent of the biblical story of Adam and Eve as made from his rib (I'm sorry for the ghost I made you be/Only one of us was real and that was me')
This mistake was something the singer was perhaps 'baffled' to realize he was making, like the snake in the biblical story in the third stanza. The kind of evil we inflict in relationships is banal in this sense, and it's not clear it's even possible to change: besides the incredible vulnerability of starting anew ('born again is born without a skin'), there is no guarantee the inherent faults will disappear rather than 'poison everything'. I think this solution of internal change is contrasted to that of a treaty (external, agreed by someone else). The fact that he says 'I wish there was a treaty' (not 'let's sign a treaty') suggests he is pessimistic even this is possible: wars between human beings end in 'static', not better agreements.
Hi, I also just signed up after reading all of the brilliant comments y'all posted here.
I listened to "Treaty" twice and I just had to know what he was eluding to. Most of you validated my personal perspective of the song and at the same time, others opened my mind to new theories. Thank you for your insights. Happy to be here, Sue
As usual every phrase could be analysed here but I think the gist is LC is at the end of his life and having spent a lot of time looking for God or a meaning he hasn’t found one he is fully reconciled with. He wants to call it a day, or agree to disagree about what’s right and wrong. He wants a treaty.
Ariel is a spirit in The Tempest, a comedy by William Shakespeare. He is servant, and he uses his magical abilities to do his tasks. He manipulates other characters in the play, by playing music, becoming invisible, and appearing in different forms. Maybe the learned Leonard alluded to the Bard?