leonardcohenforum.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlNHpCTf ... ed&search=

I heard it for the first time, today - I don't have the reissues, so - Blessed is today. I like it a lot.

Henning, thanks for the link and be blessed those who make these beautiful compositions and upload them to youtube.

I like it too this fantastic and unknown song. Speaking about reissues, of this disc I think very interesting Store Room , different from the live that we knew. A friend has recommended to me to get, of the reissue of Songs From A Room, the first Bird on The Wire he says that it is "rawer".

I don't know if money of these reissues comes to Cohen, in some case already I have bought up one disc for three times (one vinyl, another vinyl because the first one became exhausted and the CD) and now with the reissue the fourth one goes.

Blessed is the Memory

I remember the promise
that you made in the barn
when the kittens were born
and you could not keep warm
so you moved away the mountain
that the sun rose behind
and you said yourself a prayer
and laid down with the blind
but you lost them in your freedom
and you need him now you're wild
blessed is the memory
of everybody's child

And the vow of compassion
that you swore through your teeth
when the war began to end
and the photographs weep
well nobody blames you
as the train pulls away
with its cargo of snow
for these German paper-weights
but you lost them in your freedom
and you need him now you're wild
blessed is the memory
of everybody's child

Well it's five in the morning
there's no one at home
except for your wife
and your child on the phone
somebody's got to listen
to a promise or two
oh, this room is far too small
for a pilgrim like you
but you lost them in your freedom
and you need him now you're wild
blessed is the memory
of everybody's child

So now that you've decided
to follow the sun
like a shadow of birds
or a king on the run
oh, your chains are too dark
for the seas you must swim
you're smiling at the seaweed
but your smile is too grim
oh, you lost them in your freedom
you need him now you're wild
blessed is the memory
of everybody's child
blessed is the memory
of everybody's child
blessed is the memory
of everybody's child

I can't get enough of this video and the song. It has everything, the soft voice, rhythm is it, the message. Ah, it's got no message. Hey but it's perfect without a message. Who needs messages. At my age I would swap a message for a massage.

I sit here palming my eyelashes which are too long, so I was told. But I like it the way it is. And again I press replay. Sing for me Leonard, sing for me one last time.

Henning, I tried to access the link you posted but it seems the video has been removed due to some type of violation. Have you any other links to access it???

OH NO!!!!! Has this YouTube pulling of videos begun?? I didn't get a chance to listen last night.

'Terms of use violation' apparently.

That's what I've been hearing on NPR was going to happen. I've been wondering if it's going to be like "Invasion of The Body Snatchers" and anything that we've saved in our YouTube accounts will automatically disappear in the night, as well .


~ Lizzy

shame they went and pulled the cohen video... doesnt really make sense. if that was a violation surely they would have to pull most of the videos on youtube altogether?

well heres a link to a non video version on blessed is the memory: http://www.hypem.com/track/302173

That's the way it is. Now you see it, now you don't. One has to be quick for these things.

I've gotten the impression that the videos get pulled from YouTube when an 'interested' [relevantly involved legally] party complains, requests, or demands. So, until one of those happens, the videos remain.


~ Lizzy

Yes, blessed be the day when they decided to remaster L.C.s very first album and to add those two new songs to it.
When I was about twenty, far away from home, I heard for the first time in my life his voice, and I still remember listening "The Master Song" on a lousy winter afternoon in that little flat my girlfriends had at that time. Blessed is that memory. I did not understand it completely in those days, but now, thirty years later, I rejoice in listening to all those enchanting songs - and having the complete texts as well.
This is a great thing, and EVERYONE should have this remastered classical milestone album.
Believe me.
Mad Musicologist

Hi MM ~

in that little flat my girlfriends had

And equally fond memories of Sisters of Mercy, right ?


~ Lizzy

Yeah, I admit: I was tempted to state that. Now it's out. Those were days
of which I could also say "I got to remember that's a fine memory".
But seriously, by the way, think the topic of memory in L.C.s songs and other poetry is a very important one.
Without memories your life would be nebulous, you can not find "your line" when you do not know where you started and where you passed. And when you don't know "your line", you will be subject to oppression, psychologically, but in consequence also (I dare to say so) politically.
Anyone to comment on this? Please.
Thanks, Lizzy, for "provoking". That was fine.
Bye
M. M.

Thanks, Lizzy, for "provoking". That was fine.

No problem, MM... less egotistical this way .

It seems Leonard intentionally or inadvertently factored in his reportedly poor memory. Now... even if he can't remember what they were all about, he at least has some reminders of his experiences through his songs and poetry. Who knows? They may even jog a memory or two for him .

The tracking of time is a toughie, isn't it? Memories seem to rarely be linear, but at least you can sometimes bunch them and put those bunches in a row, enough to create some kind of timeline. At least that's been my experience.

Without memories your life would be nebulous, you can not find "your line" when you do not know where you started and where you passed. And when you don't know "your line", you will be subject to oppression, psychologically, but in consequence also (I dare to say so) politically.

Is this a thought/comment independent of Leonard's work or are you tying it in, as well? Either way, would you mind expounding on it?

Thanks.


~ Lizzy