Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Come over to the window, my little darling
I'd like to try to read your palm
I used to think I was some kind of Gypsy boy
Before I let you take me home
Now so long, Marianne
It's time that we began to laugh
And cry and cry and laugh about it all again
Well, you know that I love to live with you
But you make me forget so very much
I forget to pray for the angels
And then the angels forget to pray for us
Now so long, Marianne
It's time that we began to laugh
And cry and cry and laugh about it all again
We met when we were almost young
Deep in the green lilac park
You held on to me like I was a crucifix
As we went kneeling through the dark
Oh, so long, Marianne
It's time that we began to laugh
And cry and cry and laugh about it all again
Your letters, they all say that you're beside me now
Then why do I feel alone?
I'm standing on a ledge and your fine spider web
Is fastening my ankle to a stone
Now so long, Marianne
It's time that we began to laugh
And cry and cry and laugh about it all again
For now I need your hidden love
I'm cold as a new razorblade
You left when I told you I was curious
I never said that I was brave
Oh, so long, Marianne
It's time that we began to laugh
And cry and cry and laugh about it all again
Oh, you are really such a pretty one
I see you've gone and changed your name again
And just when I climbed this whole mountainside
To wash my eyelids in the rain
Oh, so long, Marianne
It's time that we began to laugh
And cry and cry and laugh about it all again
I'd like to try to read your palm
I used to think I was some kind of Gypsy boy
Before I let you take me home
Now so long, Marianne
It's time that we began to laugh
And cry and cry and laugh about it all again
Well, you know that I love to live with you
But you make me forget so very much
I forget to pray for the angels
And then the angels forget to pray for us
Now so long, Marianne
It's time that we began to laugh
And cry and cry and laugh about it all again
We met when we were almost young
Deep in the green lilac park
You held on to me like I was a crucifix
As we went kneeling through the dark
Oh, so long, Marianne
It's time that we began to laugh
And cry and cry and laugh about it all again
Your letters, they all say that you're beside me now
Then why do I feel alone?
I'm standing on a ledge and your fine spider web
Is fastening my ankle to a stone
Now so long, Marianne
It's time that we began to laugh
And cry and cry and laugh about it all again
For now I need your hidden love
I'm cold as a new razorblade
You left when I told you I was curious
I never said that I was brave
Oh, so long, Marianne
It's time that we began to laugh
And cry and cry and laugh about it all again
Oh, you are really such a pretty one
I see you've gone and changed your name again
And just when I climbed this whole mountainside
To wash my eyelids in the rain
Oh, so long, Marianne
It's time that we began to laugh
And cry and cry and laugh about it all again
Lyrics submitted by Hosimosi, edited by JohnnyLurg, traumermusing
So Long, Marianne Lyrics as written by Leonard Cohen
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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The most beautiful thing in this song, to me, is the absence of bitterness, even if the relationship has ended. In fact, he's asking that they should "laugh and cry" about all of it, like two old friends would over childhood memories.
The song begins with how they were at the beginning; reading palms by the window, growing out of his Gypsy boy phase... Their love was perhaps a bit naive ('almost' young), the kind where one takes the role of a savior (like a crucifix), where one 'forgets' things that are dear to him/her...
In this song, it feels like he was the first to realize what was missing ('why do I feel alone?') but he couldn't leave, feeling tied down by her. The actual reason for their breakup is that he was 'curious'. That, to me, doesn't say much, but that's probably the point. It sounds vague and lacks commitment. Imagine asking "Will you always love me?" and being answered "I'm curious to see if I will"... this is typically where women's sirens go off ;) He then excuses himself with "I never said that I was brave". Not brave enough to leave, not brave enough to keep her. In the end, it had to be her that leaves him.
I think it's possible to truly love someone knowing that you're not made for each other. Hence, the lack of bitterness I find in this song. So long, Marianne! I still think you're pretty, I still care about you. So long!
Washing my eyelids in the rain. I've done this. Rain is often a metaphor for sadness (in books, movies, etc). Nothing feels better than to cry in the rain with your nose pointing at the stars (looking up, not down). Feels like the whole world is crying with you and at the same time, it washes your own tears away...
the last paragraph was beautiful