I've enjoyed reading the previous thought-provoking comments on the Leonard Cohen song, “Joan Of Arc” @ songmeanings.net. I personally consider the 'fire' in his lyrics as neither the devil, nor God. Over the years, Cohen has expressed himself as not only a sensual, hopeless romantic but as also a sometimes dubious yet hopeful believer in God. I can only imagine his concerns over the life and untimely death of Joan of Arc. Past and continuing manipulations by religious groups must revolt him. Paradoxes abound. Though condemned at the time as a heretic, she's been hailed as a saint. Though emotionally and mentally confused, she's still offered up by many as a visionary. Cohen advises us differently. Before dying a virgin, she previously lived a delusional life of darkness. Her pride and blind religious zeal evolved into ill-advised love and false light. When she's rendered to dust, the “fire” becomes not only her cruelly misguided mental burden but also her painful physical downfall. She simply continued to supply "fire" with the fuel it needed to even exist. With his song's sardonic "la-la-la" refrain, I can sense the pragmatic, yet feel the ever romantic Cohen. He is emotionally mourning the unfulfilled love life of Jeanne d'Arc as a truly terrible waste.
"Past and continuing manipulations by religious groups must revolt him." LOL. Do tell us what Leonard Cohen thought of arrogant, bigoted atheists ;) Did he have a song for your type as well?
"Past and continuing manipulations by religious groups must revolt him." LOL. Do tell us what Leonard Cohen thought of arrogant, bigoted atheists ;) Did he have a song for your type as well?
I've enjoyed reading the previous thought-provoking comments on the Leonard Cohen song, “Joan Of Arc” @ songmeanings.net. I personally consider the 'fire' in his lyrics as neither the devil, nor God. Over the years, Cohen has expressed himself as not only a sensual, hopeless romantic but as also a sometimes dubious yet hopeful believer in God. I can only imagine his concerns over the life and untimely death of Joan of Arc. Past and continuing manipulations by religious groups must revolt him. Paradoxes abound. Though condemned at the time as a heretic, she's been hailed as a saint. Though emotionally and mentally confused, she's still offered up by many as a visionary. Cohen advises us differently. Before dying a virgin, she previously lived a delusional life of darkness. Her pride and blind religious zeal evolved into ill-advised love and false light. When she's rendered to dust, the “fire” becomes not only her cruelly misguided mental burden but also her painful physical downfall. She simply continued to supply "fire" with the fuel it needed to even exist. With his song's sardonic "la-la-la" refrain, I can sense the pragmatic, yet feel the ever romantic Cohen. He is emotionally mourning the unfulfilled love life of Jeanne d'Arc as a truly terrible waste.
Tom Puszewski 8/12/12
"Past and continuing manipulations by religious groups must revolt him." LOL. Do tell us what Leonard Cohen thought of arrogant, bigoted atheists ;) Did he have a song for your type as well?
"Past and continuing manipulations by religious groups must revolt him." LOL. Do tell us what Leonard Cohen thought of arrogant, bigoted atheists ;) Did he have a song for your type as well?