Now the courtroom is quiet, but who will confess
Is it true you betrayed us? The answer is "yes"
Then read me the list of the crimes that are mine
I will ask for the mercy that you love to decline
And all the ladies go moist, and the judge has no choice
A singer must die for the lie in his voice
And I thank you, I thank you for doing your duty
You keepers of truth, you guardians of beauty
Your vision is right, my vision is wrong
I'm sorry for smudging the air with my song

Oh, the night it is thick, my defences are hid
In the clothes of a woman I would like to forgive
In the rings of her silk, in the hinge of her thighs
Where I have to go begging in beauty's disguise
Oh goodnight, goodnight, my night after night

I am so afraid that I listen to you
Your sun glassed protectors they do that to you
It's their ways to detain, their ways to disgrace
Their knee in your balls and their fist in your face
Yes and long live the state by whoever it's made
Sir, I didn't see nothing, I was just getting home late


Lyrics submitted by Hosimosi

A Singer Must Die Lyrics as written by Leonard Cohen

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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    General Comment

    I absolutely adore singing this song because as most honest people frequently tell me, I generally can't carry a tune, except on a rare occasion when it is a surprise to myself as well, and I can never duplicate it. I love to sing though and don't let my lack of technical skill stand in the way of my passion. I take great delight in making a cacophany of sound when I put all volume into the lyric, "I'm sorry for smudging the air with my song," yet obviously I'm not or I wouldn't be singing it in the first place. Most of my family would love to kill the singer in me. I love the fact that death makes ladies moist. The vagueness of the line is meant I think to speak of the bloodthirsty arousal some people take in others' demise, and the exact opposite of which is moist eyes in the most physical sign of compassionate empathy. Truth and beauty are synonymous in my book, but what happens when you make your living as a singer/songwriter, you have vital reasons for selling out to pay the bills. The mythical "keepers of truth and guardians of beauty" are a conscience that reminds him it's not okay to use art for material gain, however, it also pokes fun at the idea that artists take themselves too seriously.

    aleiaon September 03, 2007   Link

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