L.C. Song Hunt

General discussion about Leonard Cohen's songs and albums
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B4real
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Re: L.C. Song Hunt

Post by B4real »

holydove wrote:Alexandra Leaving

"and you who were bewildered by a meaning"
That's it, Rachel :D Over to you now!
It doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to B4real ~ me
Attitude is a self-fulfilling prophecy ~ me ...... The magic of art is the truth of its lies ~ me ...... Only left-handers are in their right mind!
holydove
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Re: L.C. Song Hunt

Post by holydove »

Thanks, Bev.

There are two songs with lyrics that suggest that the source of the narrator's knowledge is unknown or unknowable. Please name the 2 songs & state the lyrics.
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Hartmut
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Re: AW: L.C. Song Hunt

Post by Hartmut »

holydove wrote:Please name the 2 songs & state the lyrics.
Since you ask so nicely ...

That don't make it junk:
I know that I'm forgiven, but I don't know how I know

There for you:
Don’t ask me how I know it’s true
holydove
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Re: L.C. Song Hunt

Post by holydove »

That's it, Hartmut - well done!!

And it's good to know that saying "please" is so effective! I learned such politeness from you, of course, so I must thank you for your excellent teachings on social ethics.
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Hartmut
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Re: L.C. Song Hunt

Post by Hartmut »

Thank you, Rachel! - Though I think you are giving me a little bit too much credit.

So is it my turn now?

Okay:

There's a song with a line about a person hurrying to conduct himself respectably.

But a lot of lyrics sites show a misheard version of this line that reads as if it describes an animal that is running towards its food.

Would you be so kind as to name the song and the lines?
holydove
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Re: L.C. Song Hunt

Post by holydove »

Hartmut wrote:
Would you be so kind as to name the song and the lines?
Since you ask even more nicely. . .& because you pose such a great question:

Show Me The Place

"...so I hastened to behave"

And since you ask with such great eloquence, I'll even tell you the misheard version:

"so I hastened to the hay" :razz:
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Hartmut
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Re: AW: L.C. Song Hunt

Post by Hartmut »

Thank you for your polite answer, Rachel!

And of course you're spot on.

I just love the line about the hay ...
holydove
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Re: AW: L.C. Song Hunt

Post by holydove »

Hartmut wrote:
I just love the line about the hay ...
That was a pretty funny (not to mention, bizarre!) mishearing of the line! I remember thinking, "did they really think that's what Leonard was singing??!!" What could they possibly think that would mean?? Anyway. . .

Next question: There are at least 2 songs with lyrics in which the narrator questions the identity of the one (or ones) to whom, or about him, he speaks.
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Goldin
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Re: L.C. Song Hunt

Post by Goldin »

Hi Rachel,
As a non-native speaker I needed to consult a dictionary (ok, google translate) to be sure the verb "to question" has that many meanings as I thought (and even more). Maybe, I get it right -

And who shall I say is calling?
(Who by Fire)

I can't forget but I don't remember who
(I Can't Forget)
holydove
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Re: L.C. Song Hunt

Post by holydove »

Goldin wrote:
And who shall I say is calling?
(Who by Fire)
Hi Roman,

This answer - the line in Who By Fire - is correct.

Here are some hints for the second song: the 2 lines that I'm thinking of, in this song, are actually in the form of a question, & the question, like the line in Who By Fire, includes the word "who". You must have some very good english teachers, because your understanding of the language is quite amazing & far from laughable. In fact, I imagine your english lessons might be done soon. . .& that's not something that anyone should laugh about. . .
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Goldin
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Re: L.C. Song Hunt

Post by Goldin »

Thanks Rachel, you are so kind (as almost everyone here :lol: )!

By the way, doesn't your lattest post contain a hint? I guess, the second answer (or question, as you wish) comes from Teachers:

Who is it whom I address,
who takes down what I confess?
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Hartmut
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Re: AW: L.C. Song Hunt

Post by Hartmut »

holydove wrote:
Hartmut wrote:
I just love the line about the hay ...
That was a pretty funny (not to mention, bizarre!) mishearing of the line! I remember thinking, "did they really think that's what Leonard was singing??!!" What could they possibly think that would mean??
I suspect it was just one guy who transcribed the song when it was first released and when there were no official lyrics available. All the various lyrics sites must have 'appropriated' his transcription.

As to what he was thinking ... If he thought about it at all, then it presumably went something like this: 'Well, he [Cohen] has written about horses before, hasn't he? Also, it's probably a metaphor.'
holydove
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Re: L.C. Song Hunt

Post by holydove »

Goldin wrote:
By the way, doesn't your lattest post contain a hint? I guess, the second answer (or question, as you wish) comes from Teachers:

Who is it whom I address,
who takes down what I confess?
Roman, yes about the little hint in my post :), & yes, that's the answer (or the question. . .)!!

Hartmut, I'm sure you are right about the evolution of the misheard lyric, as well as the thought process (if any) involved (bizarre though it may be). . .Like maybe (metaphorically speaking): the chains are whips, the man is a horse, & the hay is Jesus. . .that's what you meant, right? :)
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Hartmut
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Re: AW: L.C. Song Hunt

Post by Hartmut »

holydove wrote:Like maybe (metaphorically speaking): the chains are whips, the man is a horse, & the hay is Jesus. . .that's what you meant, right? :)
Yes, of course. The hay always symbolizes Jesus. - That's why they call him Haysus in Spanish-speaking countries ...
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Goldin
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Re: L.C. Song Hunt

Post by Goldin »

Thanks again, Rachel!

And about teachers... We are close now to the middle of the summer, that means I should ( :? ) start preparing to the next academic year.
That's why this time we have a geographical question:

12222 km - what's that about?
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