leonardcohenforum.com

I think I still didn't answer this question... at least, don't remember... My favourite lines are from the same song:


And just when I was sure that his teachings were pure
He went and drowned himself in the pool.


Talking of the entire songs I'd choose another ones as my favourite (or, rather, "more favourite" since I love this one, too). But the lines are these. Such disappointment sounds here !

from So Long Marianne:
Well you know that I love to live with you, but you make me forget so very much. I forget to pray for the angels, and then the angels forget to pray for us.
and from The night comes on:
I needed so much to have nothing to touch, I've always been greedy that way.
Just a couple of my favorites from among many, many great lines!

My favourite lines are from "Stories of the street":

We are so small between the stars, so large against the sky;
and lost among the subway crowd I try to catch your eye.

I don't know why, but somehow I like the comparison between the individual star amongst the many, and the lone person in the subway crowd (at least that is my uneducated interpretation).

And 30+ years ago, in the years just after Songs of Love and Hate was released, my favourite lines were:

I leave the lady meditating
on the very love which I, I do not wish to claim,
I journey down the hundred steps,
but the street is still the very same.

It appealed................................

from The Traitor

But I lingered on her thighs a fatal moment
I kissed her lips as though I thirsted still

and

So daily I renew my idle duty
I touch her here and there -- I know my place
I kiss her open mouth and I praise her beauty
and people call me traitor to my face

Hi all, I'm new. I loved all of your line choices, and wanted to contribute some of my own:

(this one has been pulling at me lately):
We were locked in this kitchen
I took to religion
and I wondered how long she would stay
I wanted so much to have nothing to touch
I've always been greedy that way
-The Night Comes On

My absolute favorite, of course:
And what can I tell you, my brother, my killer?
What can I possibly say?
I guess that I miss you, I guess I forgive you,
I'm glad you stood in my way.
-Famous Blue Raincoat

Take this longing from my tongue
All the useless things these hands have done
Let me see your beauty broken down
Like you would do, for one you loved
-Take This Longing (is that the right title?)
(I love the way he sings this, I think that's why I like it)

And we're still making love
In my secret life

and also;
And quiet is the thought of you
The file on you complete
Except what we forgot to do
A thousand kisses deep.

Hi Greenfairy ~

I like your choices, as well. Are you from the U.K.? I ask because of your name . Welcome to the Forum .

~ Lizzytysh

If you're not feeling holy, your loneliness tells that you've sinned.

So come, my friends, be not afraid. We are so lightly here. It is in love that we are made - in love we dissappear.

You told me again you preferred handsome men - but for me you would make an exception.


(Sorry for mistakes, had no time to look at reprinted lyrics)

Hi everyone!

This may not be the right place for this post, as it isn't exactly a "favourite" line, but I quoted the following lines in my Ethics final exam, and they must have impressed the tutors, because I got 83%......

Do not choose a coward's explanation
That hides behind the cause and the effect

(It would be a bit too complicated to explain right now how that linked to the question, even if I could remember, unfortunately.)

My actual favourite line is the same one Anth just quoted, "So come, my friends" etc.

I chose a very personal line:

"Why, I'm fire," he replied,
"And I love your solitude, I love your pride."

from Joan of Arc

I think it's fascinating when a man loves or admires characteristics of a woman which don't seem to be attractive at first sight. But Cohen chose "solitude" and "pride". These are very strong words.
This line is so personal for me because I wished one day a man would say this to me. (And not I love your smile or your eyes).
Yes, I often do feel lonely.
And, I guess, I'm proud, too.

Thanks for the welcome, Lizzy! I'm actually from the US.

I thought of another line to add, although it isn't in his music - "Never make decisions when you have to pee." It's from Beautiful Losers. I use it all the time.

Newby alert, hi there
"If your life is a leaf that the seasons tear of and condemn
They will bind it with love that is gracefull and green as the stem"

"As someone long prepared for the occasion;
In full command of every plan you wrecked –
Do not choose a coward’s explanation
that hides behind the cause and the effect"

My wife made a compilation tape and this was on it (Alexander leaving)
Driving in the car while listening to the tape for the first time the song caught me out and i had to pull over for a while.

I'm going to pare them down and get three in! But there are just so many more!

I've seen your flag on the marble arch, but love is not a victory march, it's a cold and it's a broken hallelujah. -Hallelujah

Let me see your beauty when the witnesses are gone. Let me feel you moving like they do in Babylon. -Dance Me To THe End of Love

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. Sisters of Mercy

Boy, when a person get's going - they come to the top quite easily - I could do this all day!

Lost in the rages of fragrance, lost in the rags of remorse
Lost in the waves of a sickness, that loosens the high silver nerves.
-The Window

ok THAT'S IT. ENOUGH FOR ME! I CAN'T STOP!!!

You stand there so nice In your blizzard of Ice O please let me come into the storm

I've noticed that a lot of Leonard's lines refer to 'ice' or 'cold' 'storm'- as much as I would like to - I'm not going to get started on my favourite LC lines with those references!