Lyr Req: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)
From: meself
Date: 11 Nov 10 - 01:38 PM

"I've heard this song is actually about prostitutes"

Of course - isn't that the sort of thing a person hears about EVERY song that is discussed (here or elsewhere)? (See the "She'll Be Comin' 'Round the Mountain" thread).

(Okay, I don't know if anyone actually mentions prostitutes in that thread, but why not? A great opportunity there for some aspiring intellectual.)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 11 Nov 10 - 03:56 AM

'Guest Eliza/eliza

"Woodsie
You may be right about the exact date. I started Uni in the autumn of '67, and I'm almost sure I was still in my first year when I heard the songs. But memory plays tricks!"


This isn't Eliza Carthy...as she wasn't born until 1975....but in some posts (not in this thread) this poster has signed as 'ec x'

Confusin', huh? ;0)

Subject: RE: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)
From: JHW
Date: 21 Oct 10 - 10:52 AM

GUEST Woodsie that is curious about the album date. I can only say that the usual orange CBS label does say (P)1967
I guess I didn't keep the receipt

Subject: RE: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)
From: Slag
Date: 20 Oct 10 - 03:33 AM

You know Joe, that is one of the things that is so misunderstood by some critics of the church, various affiliated organizations and members at large. Once someone has espoused faith these critics narrow their view and watch and wait to see if they stumble and should they well, to them, that is some kind of confirmation that it is all bogus. They've missed the point entirely.

Yes the person has changed. They are re-oriented towards God and that which is good but they are still human beings, imperfect. All stumble and fall but they get back up and continue on in the right direction, forgiven, under grace.

The ones who give, in the broadest sense of the word, religion, a black eye are the ones who are hiding out in a religion, using it for their own wrong purposes. And sad to say, religion is not the only place these type are hanging out. Every organizatin has klnown them.

Subject: RE: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 Oct 10 - 01:12 AM

Last month, I became an associate member of the Sisters of Mercy. I've heard this song is actually about prostitutes, but it holds true for much of the work of the sisters - giving comfort to the afflicted.

I know there are Mudcatters who will find fault with the sisters, and I know there were some sisters who did wrong. I believe that bishop-accountability.org has only one American nun listed on its list of American Catholic Church child molesters - and she was a Sister of Mercy.

The Sisters of Mercy were founded by Catherine McAuley in 1831, to serve the poor of Dublin. I'm sure they have failed at times, but many Sisters of Mercy have done wonderful things to bring comfort to the afflicted.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)
From: Janie
Date: 19 Oct 10 - 06:59 PM

His voice and singing have, imho, improved with age.

I came to his music kinda backwards. I discovered his poetry before I understood he was a song writer, when a beloved teacher/mentor died and I stumbled across his poem, "There Are Some Men." I was such a hick I didn't know he also wrote songs. Not long afterward I was listening to Judy Collins sing his songs, but wasn't one to pay attention to who wrote the songs on an album. It was 2 or 3 years before I finally read the liner notes.

Subject: RE: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)
From: catspaw49
Date: 19 Oct 10 - 06:53 PM

So Marie.....Since you stopped..........I assume you're a Cohen follower/fan and as the partial lyrics to the "Suzanne" follow-up were unearthed, perhaps you could check and see if he ever completed them.

BTW.......I also found some other partial lyrics to something I figure is also a follow-up from him named "Cousins of Percy."


Spaw

Subject: RE: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)
From: GUEST,Marie
Date: 19 Oct 10 - 06:17 PM

Sisters of Mercy is a Cohen classic. Just beautiful. Leonard performed the song early in his 2008-2010 tour. Cohen's World Tour comes to an end December 12. Tell him what his concerts have meant to you. Please sign the Thank You card that will be presented to Leonard on December 12. Details at the Speaking Cohen website: Thank You Card

Subject: RE: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)
From: gnu
Date: 18 Oct 10 - 04:54 PM

Spaw... I am taken aback. That is gross, man. Honey? On French toast? Yer sick.

Subject: RE: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)
From: catspaw49
Date: 18 Oct 10 - 09:05 AM

Yeah.......I can see where Judy Collins had a problem with it. She had that song about cooking with honey and this one would have put her in a bad light......or a good light, depending on your tastes.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)
From: Slag
Date: 17 Oct 10 - 07:12 PM

Yeah, Spaw! That sure scrambled my eggs. Ben wobbles, does he?

Subject: RE: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 17 Oct 10 - 11:50 AM

Spaw,
I am appalled.
Russ (Permanent GUEST)

Subject: RE: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)
From: catspaw49
Date: 17 Oct 10 - 02:41 AM

"too" true......geeziz.......I need two pruufreed mor.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)
From: catspaw49
Date: 17 Oct 10 - 02:37 AM

I dunno Russ......Now I was never of big fan of Cohen but Suzaanne was not so bad. I found though that he had written a companion piece that went unfinished when Judy Collins found it to true to life and said she would never record it. I was lucky to acquire this remnant, just one verse, for your perusal..........

Roxanne will go down
On her knees and she'll blow you
And when she has finished
She'll rise up tall and go to
The kitchen where you tell her
She has pleased you to the utmost
So she gets out eggs and honey
As if to make you French Toast
But she stuffs the eggs inside her
Like a large pair of Ben-Wa Balls
Then she drizzles honey on your dick
Til it slowly flows and then falls
In a puddle....On the tile floor

Well, you get the idea of how that might be insulting to Collins and all but still, it might have sold.................




Spaw

Subject: RE: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 11:40 PM

Spaw,

You not only keep us coming back for more, but some of the more benighted catters actually beg you for more.

Russ (Permanent GUEST who can quit any time)

Subject: RE: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)
From: Slag
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 10:55 PM

Now I'm thinking, "Sisters of Misery"??

Subject: RE: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)
From: Slag
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 10:54 PM

Yes Spaw, LH, KV, I and a couple of the others were fish, hook line and chum!

Subject: RE: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)
From: Little Hawk
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 07:33 PM

It's "when" that troubles me... ;-) You just never know when it's going to happen next, and that gets hard on the nerves.

Subject: RE: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)
From: gnu
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 05:45 PM

I know why. And I appreciate it.

Subject: RE: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)
From: catspaw49
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 04:39 PM

Tell ya' Russ.....Most folks never seem to care much about the "how." They all seem to be a lot more troubled about the "why."

Spaw

Subject: RE: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)
From: Little Hawk
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 04:29 PM

Geez! That's asking a lot, Nick! ;-)

Subject: RE: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)
From: Nick
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 03:17 PM

You don't think they printed the covers (full colour - cost savings on bigger runs) less often than the sleeves (cheap black and white and current)

How clever were they?

If you are up for it come and join the Opposable Thumbs Brigade.

Subject: RE: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)
From: GUEST,Woodsie
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 11:06 AM

The Songs of Leonard Cohen sleeve says 1966, CBS album label 1967.
Advertised on the sleeve are albums by Barbra Streisand, Andy Williams, Blood Sweat & Tears, Tony Bennett, Marmalade, Tim Hardin, Mike Bloomfield, Gun, Johnny Cash, Dr Byrds, Georgie Fame, Johnny Mathis, The Peddlars, The Tremeloes, Love Affair, Bob Dylan (Nashville Skyline)

You've just proved my point, Nashville Skyline was released in March 1969! So how can an album released in 1966 be advertising an album from 3 years in the futue? This must have been printed in early 1969 and purchased sometime after that! The item on the sleeve note could well have been written at an earlier date than the actual album release date which was Dec 27th 1967 in US and sometime later in 1968 in UK.

Subject: RE: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 10:51 AM

Spaw,

How do you do it?

Russ (Permanent GUEST)

Subject: RE: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)
From: Little Hawk
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 10:24 AM

Well, at least it gave Dylan and Cohen a benchmark to aim for, right? Even if they could never quite attain such lyrical majesty! ;-D Joni Mitchell was so blown away by the brilliantly subtle lyrics in "Honey" that she went off in a huff and sat around for hours glowering and smoking one cigarette after another, knowing she could never match it.

Subject: RE: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)
From: Kampervan
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 04:58 AM

Yeah, Ok, I was well and truly suckered in.

Nice one Catspaw. i'll be writing out 100 times -

" I must learn not to take things at face value"


Now, back to learning The Birdie Song.

k/van ;-}

Subject: RE: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)
From: gnu
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 04:36 AM

Spaw... that did hit me in the pit of my stomach.

Subject: RE: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)
From: Slag
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 02:41 AM

Oh! OK Spaw. I see your points!

Subject: RE: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 Oct 10 - 11:09 PM

Remember my warning, Kampervan...

Subject: RE: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)
From: catspaw49
Date: 15 Oct 10 - 10:37 PM

Those of you like Kampervan are probably unaware of the infamous "missing verses" of Honey which are far more poignant in their simplicity. I'm sure that neither Cohen nor Dylan ever produced anything that matched it for strength and clarity.

"HONEY".......(revised edition)

See the tree,
How big its grown
And now you're dead
I can't get blown
I've got an itch.
When you were alive
It cost twenty-five
Why did you always charge so much
You fuckin' bitch

Our tree grew large,
It fell on you
Now you're gone,
My balls are blue
I can't get laid.
So now I've started shagging sheep
And sometimes chickens in their sleep
But they want paid.


Oh Honey I miss you
Cause when you were alive
I could at least get a hand job
For a buck fifty-five.

Geeziz........What a piece of writing PLUS it ties in well with Janie's "boner" comment.



Spaw

Subject: RE: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)
From: Slag
Date: 15 Oct 10 - 10:30 PM

Yeah, I'll never forget the first time I heard "Honey", a well named song. Honey is used to force down otherwise bad tasting medicine down the little kiddies throats which is about what Mr. Goldsboro's little ditty seemed to me. Syrupy nauseatingly sweet. Claptrap crap. I really can't say enough bad about it! But Hey! That's just my opinion. It doesn't fit my tastes and Cohen does.

Subject: RE: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 Oct 10 - 10:18 PM

Hmmmm, I remember one of those "long straight-haired girls" and her chaste guitar picking....I wonder whatever happened to beautiful Merri.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)
From: Janie
Date: 15 Oct 10 - 10:14 PM

Not to mention defense.

'Spaw just don't want to admit to the numerous boners he had to go behind the dormitory to "deal with" from the effects of so many long straight-haired girls leaning over their nylon-stringed guitars as they chastely finger-picked and sang Cohen's lovely poetry in young, pure soprano and contralto voices.

Subject: RE: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)
From: Little Hawk
Date: 15 Oct 10 - 09:45 PM

LOL! You gonna take that, Spaw! I expect you to mount a vigorous defence.

Subject: RE: Sisters of Mercy (Leonard Cohen)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 Oct 10 - 09:20 PM

Kampervan, be careful not to believe what Catspaw says about anything...

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: Kampervan
Date: 15 Oct 10 - 08:46 PM

Sorry Catspaw49, but I think that 'Honey' is way too trite and superficial.

Dylan and Cohen are far more believable and emotionally intense.

It's like 'Love is' compared to Emily Dickinson

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: frogprince
Date: 15 Oct 10 - 07:46 PM

I somehow missed hearing "Alexandra Leaving" until a couple of months back. Mu god, what a lyric.

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: acegardener
Date: 15 Oct 10 - 07:42 PM

I think I first saw cohen at the troubador way back in the 60's when he was bumming around london, then again at the Isle of wight festival , I had 3 albums for years up in the attic. I didn't bother with him for years then rediscovered him through the internet. His lyrics always amused me even though they where dubbed 'music to commit suicide to'. I went to a recent tour concert and was smitten again as I can relate to his themes on getting old. Closing Time is now my favourite. (she's a hundred but she's wearing something tight)

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: Nick
Date: 15 Oct 10 - 07:18 PM

It was a long time ago but seems like yesterday

At some point or another I owned a number of those albums including the Manitaa de Plata one

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: JHW
Date: 15 Oct 10 - 07:12 PM

The Songs of Leonard Cohen sleeve says 1966, CBS album label 1967.
Advertised on the sleeve are albums by Barbra Streisand, Andy Williams, Blood Sweat & Tears, Tony Bennett, Marmalade, Tim Hardin, Mike Bloomfield, Gun, Johnny Cash, Dr Byrds, Georgie Fame, Johnny Mathis, The Peddlars, The Tremeloes, Love Affair, Bob Dylan (Nashville Skyline), Chicken Shack, Simon & Garfunkel (Bookends), Manitas de Plata, Taj Mahal, Ray Conniff, and West Side Story.
It was a long time ago

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: catspaw49
Date: 15 Oct 10 - 07:03 PM

Oh yeah......I was sure you would have been. And what about that feeling deep in the pit of your stomach? I figured it would hit you there as well.......................

Spaw

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: Little Hawk
Date: 15 Oct 10 - 06:58 PM

(GMUMPHHHH!!!) ;-) Trying desperately to maintain my equanimity here... Yeah, well put, Spaw. I have never been able to forget the first time I listened to Bobby Goldsboro singing "Honey". I was immediately transported...somewhere...ineffable.

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: catspaw49
Date: 15 Oct 10 - 06:50 PM

I think both Cohen and Dylan are far too "ethereal" at times to really touch the soul the way a song like "Honey" by Bobby Goldsboro does. With far less philosophy and far more realism, "Honey" pierces the heart of the listener as few other songs can.   The visualizations are spot on and vivid ("See the tree how big its grown") and transport the listener immediately into the deeper meanings.

In "Honey" as opposed to "Sisters" or "Suzanne," there is a blatant and woeful pleading that goes right to the pit of the stomach without the need for flowery language or long strings of multi-syllabic and often complicated phrasings.   Symbolism is best left to all night bull sessions and not emotional and heartfelt songs.

Spaw

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: Nick
Date: 15 Oct 10 - 06:24 PM

Just watching Leonard Cohen on BBC4 at the moment and can't help being distracted as he reminds me too much of Mr Spock

Still enjoying him though - onto Bird in the Wire and I wonder if that's Bones on the guitar. Perhaps they'll pan to the drummer and it will be Scotty. Music's good.

I have a copy of Rock machine in the other room not far from my copy of Songs of Leonard Cohen that I purchased round then (1968 I'd guess). I always reckoned that he must have learned to play the guitar from the same book as me. I sat and worked out the whole album in those far gone days where you did it by ear rather than find the wrong chords on the internet :)

A friend sang Sisters of Mercy on Wednesday and I still play it as I did from then.

Onto Suzanne now. Spoken and whispered rather than sung...

As three asides: Guitar playing on Judy Collins version of Suzanne on the 'In My Life' album mentioned above is still one of my favourite (and different) accompaniments to a song. Though I prefer Roberta Flack's cover which I haven't listened to for years (note to self) Was the bass player late to the recording of "So Long Marianne" - have a listen and you'll see what I mean; turns up late and then goes for it

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 11 Oct 10 - 12:29 PM

Woodsie
You may be right about the exact date. I started Uni in the autumn of '67, and I'm almost sure I was still in my first year when I heard the songs. But memory plays tricks!

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: GUEST,Woodsie
Date: 11 Oct 10 - 09:40 AM

The first time I heard this song was on an album called The Rock Machine Turns You On which I bought in late 1968 for 15/7 yes that's seven old pennies and the horrible price label that left a dirty sticky mark on the cover when peeled off! I amazed at the people (in UK) that are claiming to have had (or been familiar with) the record in 1967 as it was not released in the UK until 1968 CBS63241 and in the US only a short time before on December 27th 1967! Is this some sort of one-up-manship?

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: Little Hawk
Date: 11 Oct 10 - 09:17 AM

Ha! ;-D The ultimate annoying version of "My Way" is when it's done live by Paul Anka himself, Eliza. The man is a true master when it comes to delivering spectacular episodes of the raging male ego.

Listen to this gem, for instance:

Paul Anka goes berserk...

And then, of course, there's that timeless classic, "Havin' My Baby".

Argh!

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 11 Oct 10 - 07:22 AM

Some super ideas, thank you! I think a person's choices should reflect very much their character and the life they've led. Wouldn't it be excellent if a CD of the music could be produced for each of the mourners to keep? Each Funeral CD would become quite collectable later! Maybe this is already done somewhere? Personally I feel music is a poignant and potent channel for memories and emotions, it so quickly rekindles everything one felt at the time. Much more effective than a spoken Eulogy! I can well imagine, Little Hawk, people being driven to commit murder during "My Way", I've had to restrain myself many a time! (I also unfortunately get a fit of the giggles, which is decidedly inappropriate.)

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 10 Oct 10 - 10:34 PM

Eliza,
You might consider
Kate Wolf's "Across the Great Divide", Lester Flatt's "Who will sing for me", Rosalie Watson's "Your Long Journey."

Whenever we sing one of these, somebody in the group will say that they want the song to be sung at their funeral.

Russ (Permanent GUEST)

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: Beer
Date: 10 Oct 10 - 03:27 PM

I like what you had to say Little Hawk in your post of 08 Oct 10 - 05:18 PM
I want to add here that Bruce Murdoch's departure years ago left a vacuum that is now being filled once again. Bruce was in my opinion a great writer in the 60/70 and his recent release (since getting back into the songwriting fold )is as good if not better 30 years later. His c/d "Matters of the Heart" is a gem. And more to come I'm sure.
Ad.

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: Little Hawk
Date: 10 Oct 10 - 03:19 PM

I heard they banned people from singing the song "My Way" at Karaoke places in Indonesia, recently, because it had provoked so many murders and assaults. ;-) It's one of the most pompous songs of all time, almost guaranteed to annoy...

However, the song I have always regarded as perfect for playing at my funeral is one of Bob Dylan's: "Lay Down Your Weary Tune"

And one of my own: "The Great Survivors" (that's you, me, all of us...)

Dylan's song is a beautiful hymn to the sacredness of life and of all existence. Mine is a celebration of the courage and value of our souls as they make the great crossing to whatever lies beyond here.

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 10 Oct 10 - 02:33 PM

Russ, I've been thinking further about Songs for My Funeral (not in a morbid way,just musing) Some funerals here are dire, with 'My Way' etc. all rather cringe-making. I think I'd like something funny such as George Formby's When I'm Cleaning Windows, or even The Laughing Policeman. And definitely Leonard Cohen and Enya. Roll Out the Barrel should also go down well, and some Morris Dance music, eg Speed the Plough and Just As the Waters Were a-Flowing. Any other ideas anyone?

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: Ed T
Date: 09 Oct 10 - 07:06 PM

I can't really figure out why, maybe his voice, maybe a combination of many things in the song...but, this Frank Black version of "I burn today" reminds me of Cohen.

Frank Black

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: JHW
Date: 09 Oct 10 - 04:37 PM

The sleeve notes for 'Songs of Leonard Cohen' tell indeed of his several books of poetry before he ever sang.

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 09 Oct 10 - 03:29 PM

Eliza,

We seem to be in our own little word in this thread.

I've told my musical friends that if they decide to have some kind of gathering after I'm dead (it's optional), I'd like them to start by going round the circle and playing songs they've learned from me.

Russ (Permanent GUEST)

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 09 Oct 10 - 12:36 PM

Cohen's early life had much to do with the way he writes.

Cohen (Kohen) had a trust income from his father's estate, which allowed him to pursue his varied interests.
He received a degree from McGill University, where he published his first book of poetry while an undergraduate. While there, he was president of the Debating Society. He then studied law, and attended Columbia University for one year. In the 1990s he spent several years in a Buddhist monastery.
He has published prose books as well as poetry.
He lists several literary influences- Irving Layton (a friend from high school days), Henry Miller, Walt Whitman, Frederico Garcia Lorca.

His latest book, Book of Longing, published in 2006, contains prose, poetry, and is illustrated by his drawings.

December performance dates are in Vancouver, Oakland CA. and Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas.

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 09 Oct 10 - 09:44 AM

Leonard Cohen quoted in Telegraph 41, p. 30

"[Bob] said, 'I like this song you wrote called Hallelujah.' In fact, he started doing it in concert. He said, 'How long did that take you to write?' And I said, 'Oh, the best part of two years.' He said, 'Two years?' Kinda shocked.

And then we started talking about a song of his called I And I from Infidels. I said, 'How long did you take to write that.' He said, 'Oh, 15 minutes.' I almost fell off my chair. Bob just laughed."

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: Little Hawk
Date: 09 Oct 10 - 08:32 AM

Dylan is still a very fine writer, Slag, but his talents seem to be moving more to prose lately. Have you read his book "Chronicles - Volume 1"? It's a fine piece of writing, really brings back the time.

I agree with everything you've said about Leonard Cohen. The man is a true poet of the highest calibre. He has said that it sometimes takes him years to craft a specific song before he thinks it's ready. That means he is using a very different approach than Dylan does.

Dylan seems to come up with stuff fast...in a "flash" of insight. I call that "instinctive" writing, and that is the way I write songs too, and I find it produces the best ones. The ones I have to labour over and tinker with for lengthy periods of time usually get discarded, because they're not so good at all. I'll tell you what I think is really happening with those "flash" songs....I don't think they're coming from me, I think they're coming through me from a source that is way beyond me (though ever near), and I am like the pen that's being held in that source's hand. I am the scribe, that's all. My own character, of course, does affect how the message comes through a bit...but I am not the original source of the message. I'm serving that source in my own way, as best I can.

I can't speak for how Cohen does it, but I'd say he has honed the craft of being a poet to a tremendously high level. He's like a master luthier of songs. I'm sure the same "source" helps him too, but he works differently through the process.

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: Slag
Date: 09 Oct 10 - 06:35 AM

I think the difference is that Leonard it a true poet, of the first water. Dylan seems to have been a flash in the pan, not a one hit wonder by any strectch but isn't it funny how we loose the light little by little and the days grind by til the 'danes* take us down or until we just forget those creative fires and how they felt.

Cohen always had a maturity to his works that is missing in many of the others. I think that is what gives it a timeless quality, as relevant today as when we first heard them. I think in Mr. Cohen's case you could genuinely apply the word genius without fear of being overly enthusiastic of exuberant. He fits the definition. He always has.

*the Mundanes, that is!

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 09 Oct 10 - 04:37 AM

Russ, I'm the same, I have to be careful when listening to songs/tunes from my past, they're potent indeed! In a low mood a while ago I started choosing "Songs to play at my Funeral" and felt terribly tearful at all the memories they evoked, good and bad. Then I felt jealous; my mourners would have a jolly good time listening to all that, and me not there to participate! I do find Enya very evocative, perhaps because I'm half Scots and half Irish. Celts are often very emotional.

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: GUEST,Lanfranc on holiday and cookieless
Date: 08 Oct 10 - 06:55 PM

Like most of us at the time, Leonard Cohen first came to my notice when I heard "Suzanne" and "Dress Rehearsal Rag" on Judy Collins' album "In My Life" (IMHO one of the greatest albums of all time - Cohen, Dylan, Brecht, Brel, Newman, Lennon & McCartney, Donovan ... on one album, all brilliantly performed!). This was before it became de rigeur to be a songwriter performing your own material if you wanted to be successful singing anything other than traditional songs in a folk club, coffee bar or whatever.

When Cohen's first album came out in '67, I added "Sisters of Mercy", "So Long Marianne" and virtually every song on it to my repertoire (though I never could work out the guitar part to "Stranger Song"!).

Forty-odd years on, I still sing Cohen's songs (and others by Dylan, Ochs, Paxton, Joni Mitchell et al) that few others perform these days. My efforts are usually well received, though I am sometimes accused of being something of a dinosaur.

Adding your own interpretation to a song written by someone else is not highly regarded in some circles, but not everyone has it in them to be a songwriter. I have written several songs, but all too often, I think of a theme for a new song and then discard it because Cohen (or Brel, or Dylan or Ochs or whoever) has written something much better already.

Perhaps I just know too many good songs - and it'a amazing how many of them were written by Leonard Cohen!

Alan

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 08 Oct 10 - 05:53 PM

Eliza,

I think we were younger then than young people are today.
We were definitely naive, but I think we got a lot of things right.

My friends and I went to the the local coffee house. I don't think we used the term "folk club" in those days. And drank coffee rather than tea, of course. And ate peanuts. I definitely remember peanuts.

We knew most of the Tom Lehrer stuff by heart. But that was just part of a fairly large common repertoire.

One thing I fondly remember is how exciting the times were.

The songs I still love from that time have a special place in my mind. I have to approach them carefully. They elicit a heady brew of emotions. Joy and hope, sadness and regret, love and hate.

They definitely don't write 'em like that any more, but I think it would be impossible to write songs like that these days. It is such a different world we now live in.

Russ (Permanent GUEST and once and future folkie)

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: Little Hawk
Date: 08 Oct 10 - 05:18 PM

Sisters of Mercy is a wonderful and unforgettable song...like many of Leonard Cohen's. The man is a true poet. The French LOVE Leonard Cohen, because the French appreciate that sort of thing to the max. ;-)

Most songwriters can't sustain the intensity of their youthful writing past a certain point, and I think that's mainly because their overall physical/emotional vitality goes down with the aging process, and there's less fuel to burn, so to speak. Leonard Cohen, on the other hand, seems to be able to keep that fire burning. Ian Tyson has also written many of his best songs in the later part of his career. Dylan, I feel, was writing some very powerful stuff all the way through the 60s, 70s, 80s, and well into the 90s...but his output since the end of the 90s has dwindled quite noticeably.

(And so has mine, for that matter. I wrote a ton of stuff in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, but I only occasionally write a new song or poem now. I'm just not as hungry to do it anymore. I feel much more reflective than I did then.)

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 08 Oct 10 - 05:09 PM

We went every Saturday night to a folk club where they actually offered only bread and cheese and weak tea! It was thronged. We sang our hearts out and looked suitably grave and meditative. But those songs really got into my soul. I don't reckon they'd get many turning up nowadays for such a thing!

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: JHW
Date: 08 Oct 10 - 04:58 PM

Played 'Leonard Cohen' and 'New skin for the old ceremony' albums again and again back then.
Then came 'Death of a ladies man' pseudo rock and I lost interest until everyone was singing 'Hallelujah'
Will go straight down now and listen again with my cocoa. 'Greensleeves' and 'Who by fire' were favourites too and I have sung 'I lit a thin green candle' and 'The stranger song' though not since the days there were contemporary or traditional clubs and never the twain.
Indeed I might even get the guitar out.
Nostalgia - that's what folk is - Thanks

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: Newport Boy
Date: 08 Oct 10 - 04:47 PM

Recently, a questioner asked the Guardian's 'Notes & Queries' page:

'Why can't Bob Dylan and Paul McCartney write good songs anymore?'

The best of the answers was 'Because they're not Leonard Cohen'.

Phil

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: GUEST,Janie
Date: 08 Oct 10 - 04:42 PM

Same here.

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 08 Oct 10 - 04:41 PM

Yes Russ, like you I heard it first in '67. (Edinburgh Uni) I wonder if we were more tender then than young people today? I remember mooching about in a dreamy fashion to all sorts of lovely folk songs eg the Curragh of Kildare, My Love is Like a Red Red Rose, Suzanne (Leonard Cohen again). But we also laughed like drains at Tom Lehrer's Vatican Rag (remember that?) Do you think we were different in those days to youth today, more naive perhaps?

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 08 Oct 10 - 04:31 PM

I've been singing the song since '67. I too was in college (as we say in the states). Still knocks me out after all these years like it did the first time I heard it. Wonder how many of us met our own sisters of mercy.

Russ (Permanent GUEST and aging folkie)

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 08 Oct 10 - 03:32 PM

If you haven't heard the song, click here!

Subject: RE: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: gnu
Date: 08 Oct 10 - 02:53 PM

... and forward.

Subject: leonard cohen sisters of mercy
From: GUEST,Eliza (guest)
Date: 08 Oct 10 - 02:22 PM

Have just listened again to The Sisters of Mercy by Leonard Cohen after over 40 years. The lyrics are beautiful, no wonder it enchanted me the first time round! (I was seventeen and just arrived at Uni.) Haven't songs from one's past got enormous power to whisk you back?

Subject: Lyr Add: SISTERS OF MERCY (Leonard Cohen)
From: bo
Date: 25 Mar 97 - 01:38 PM

SISTERS OF MERCY
By Leonard Cohen
Rec on Best of Leonard Cohen and others.
Co. 1967 Stranger Music, Inc. (BMI)

Oh, the sisters of mercy, they are not departed or gone.
They were waiting for me when I thought that I just can't go on;
And they brought me their comfort and later they brought me this song.
Oh, I hope you run into them, you who've been traveling so long.

Yes, you who must leave everything that you cannot control:
It begins with your family, but soon it comes round to your soul.
Well, I've been where you're hanging. I think I can see how you're pinned.
When you're not feeling holy, your loneliness says that you've sinned.

They lay down beside me. I made my confession to them.
They touched both my eyes and I touched the dew on their hem.
If your life is a leaf that the seasons tear off and condemn,
They will bind you with love that is gracious and green as a stem.

When I left, they were sleeping. I hope you run into them soon.
Don't turn on the lights. You can read their address by the moon.
And you won't make me jealous if I hear they have sweetened your night.
We weren't lovers like that, and besides, it would still be all right.

Subject: Lyr Add: SISTERS OF MERCY (Leonard Cohen)
From: Saunis
Date: 23 Mar 97 - 10:34 PM

Verse 1: Oh the sisters of mercy they are not departed or gone.
They were waiting for me, when I thought that I just can't go on.
Then they brought me their comfort and later they brought me their song.
Oh I hope you run into them, you, who've been traveling so long.

Verse 2: Yes, you who must leave everything that you cannot control.
It begins with your family and soon it comes round to your soul.
Well I've been where you're hanging and I think I can see how you're pinned.
When you're not feeling holy, your loneliness says that you've sinned.

Verse 3: They lay down beside me, I made my confession to them.
They touched both my eyes, and I touched the dew on their hem.
If your life is a leaf that the seasons tear off and condemn
They will bind you with love that is graceful and green as a stem.

Verse 4: When I left they were sleeping, I hope you run into them soon.
Don't turn on the light, you can read their address by the moon.
And it won't make me jealous if I learn that they've sweetened your night.
We weren't lovers like that, and besides, it would still be all right.

By Leonard Cohen

I'm pretty sure I got it all in there for you, but I'm working from memory. Hope this helps.

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 3-May-03.

Subject: Lyrics Req: Sisters of Mercy
From:
Date: 23 Mar 97 - 09:50 PM

Am seeking words to folk song - haven't heard it since the 70's. Here's what I remember of it: "The sisters of mercy, they are not forgotten or gone, they come to you gently when you feel that you just can't go on..." Excuse any cultural mistakes, this is my first posting/exposure to a newsgroup. Is a request for an e-mail response a totally rude thing to ask. Thanks for any help. Vicki Carr