Wednesday, October 28, 2009

FIRST WE TAKE MANHATTAN by Leonard Cohen



They sentenced me to twenty years of boredom
For trying to change the system from within
I'm coming now, I'm coming to reward them
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

I'm guided by a signal in the heavens
I'm guided by this birthmark on my skin
I'm guided by the beauty of our weapons
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

I'd really like to live beside you, baby
I love your body and your spirit and your clothes
But you see that line there moving through the station?
I told you, I told you, told you I was one of those

Ah, you loved me as a loser
But now you're worried that I just might win
You know the way to stop me, but you don't have the discipline
How many nights I prayed for this, to let my work begin
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

I don't like your fashion business, mister
And I don't like these drugs that keep you thin
I don't like what happened to my sister
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

I'd really like to live beside you, baby
I love your body and your spirit and your clothes
But you see that line there movin' through the station?
I told you, I told you, told you I was one of those

And I thank you for those items that you sent me
The monkey and the plywood violin
I practiced every night, now I'm ready
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

I am guided

Ah, remember me, I used to live for music
Remember me, I brought your groceries in
Well, it's Father's Day and everybody's wounded
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

2 comments:

  1. I enjoy Leonard and his intriguing lyrics and voice. My favorite is "Democracy." Thanks for posting this; it helps in centering oneself.

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  2. Great Cohen song, Mr. Engineer!
    I have been having a prime Manhattan experience. I cannot begin to express how great everyone here has been to me.
    I sat in a great Italian restaurant in Battery Park, on the water looking directly at the Statue of Liberty at night after the wedding.
    Yesterday, I hung out in Asbury Park, NJ in a garage operated by my nephew...he customizes Harley Davisons and builds hot rods...real American Art! He is buddies with the BOSS who uses his creations a props for photo shoots....
    The dude came to the wedding in a 23 Studebaker "hot rod" called The Contraption....
    Architects, Artists,Authors, Bikers...we got it all coming today for the reception.

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