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

Edit Lyrics

Lyrics submitted by Hosimosi

A Singer Must Die Lyrics as written by Leonard Cohen

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

A Singer Must Die song meanings

Add Your Thoughts

9 Comments

+1
Song Meaning
The first and second verse are about the long-enduring battle between the poet and the critic, or, even longer battle between the poet and the philosopher (SEE: The Republic, Book II, III, and X)

The word "moist" here could have dual meanings or even a sexual meaning (as suggested in another comment), but it's very common for the term to be used simply meaning "teared up." So, I think he meant that the ladies got teary-eyed, but he could be wrong.

In the third verse is talking about mourning the end of a relationship.There is the image of him "in" her clothes. I don't think he means he literally dressed himself in her clothes, rather I think he indulged himself in touching or smelling them. He says he would like to forgive her, but he also says he must go begging to her; these statements together are obviously confusing.

By the fourth verse, we've gone from talking about a "you" (the keepers of truth) to the third a "her" and the fourth back to a "you." In the fourth I think he is talking again to the keepers of truth. He is saying the critic remains stoic and untouchable while he assaults the vulnerable poet. He seems to view the relationship as being unfair in this way.

What is most confusing about the song is how the third verse fits into the theme of the critic vs. poet. Was the woman he loved a critic of his, romantically or through his literature? Why is she or the fact that he must say goodbye to her pertinent to the song? I would appreciate anybody who thinks they understand it.

The first and second verse are about the long-enduring battle between the poet and the critic, or, even longer battle between the poet and the philosopher (SEE: The Republic, Book II, III, and X) The word "moist" here could have dual meanings or even a sexual meaning (as suggested in another comment), but it's very common for the term to be used simply meaning "teared up." So, I think he meant that the ladies got teary-eyed, but he could be wrong. In the third verse is talking about mourning the end of a relationship.There is the image of him "in" her clothes. I don't think he means he literally dressed himself in her clothes, rather I think he indulged himself in touching or smelling them. He says he would like to forgive her, but he also says he must go begging to her; these statements together are obviously confusing. By the fourth verse, we've gone from talking about a "you" (the keepers of truth) to the third a "her" and the fourth back to a "you." In the fourth I think he is talking again to the keepers of truth. He is saying the critic remains stoic and untouchable while he assaults the vulnerable poet. He seems to view the relationship as being unfair in this way. What is most confusing about the song is how the third verse fits into the theme of the critic vs. poet. Was the woman he loved a critic of his, romantically or through his literature? Why is she or the fact that he must say goodbye to her pertinent to the song? I would appreciate anybody who thinks they understand it.

Reason:

lydianon September 26, 2010 Link
- 1 Reply Log in to reply
There was an error.

@lydian

My initial thought is that he's singing an elegy to Karen Carpenter.<br /> SHE is the "beauty in disguise" that had to die.<br /> <br /> Thoughts? Pro / Con?<br />

Cyberpopeon April 29, 2011