Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen is dead. 

He, along with Tom Waits are my favourite lyricists. I had the great fortune to see him in concert a few years back when he was forced to tour after being robbed of millions by his ex -manager. He was in his late 70s but you wouldn't have known it. The showmanship. The voice. It was perfection really, if you believe in such a thing.

He left a profound legacy. For me, he left words that never fail to illuminate the darkness.

Such as the words to his song, Anthem, which after Trunp's victory, resonate and... resonate.

The birds they sang at the break of day

Start again I heard them say

Don’t dwell on what has passed away

or what is yet to be.

Ah the wars they will be fought again

The holy dove she will be caught again

bought and sold  and bought again

the dove is never free.

Ring the bells that still can ring

Forget your perfect offering

There is a crack in everything

That’s how the light gets in.

We asked for signs the signs were sent:

the birth betrayed the marriage spent

Yeah the widowhood of every government –

signs for all to see.

I can’t run no more with that lawless crowd

while the killers in high places say their prayers out loud.

But they’ve summoned, they’ve summoned up a thundercloud

and they’re going to hear from me.

Ring the bells that still can ring …

You can add up the parts but you won’t have the sum

You can strike up the march, there is no drum

Every heart, every heart to love will come

but like a refugee.

Ring the bells that still can ring

Forget your perfect offering

There is a crack, a crack in everything

That’s how the light gets in.

RIP