Leonard Cohen. The Flame
If I took a pill
I'd feel you so much better
I'd write you a poem
That sounds like a letter
I'd kill someone mean
And I'd cut off his ear
And I'd send it to you
With “I wish you were here”
I'm trying to finish
My shabby career
With a white cigarette
And a curtain of beer
I begged you to come
I begged on the phone
How wrong can you get
I was better alone
I am trying to finish
My shabby career
With a little truth
In the now and here
Was I alone
When we swore
To keep it true
Was I alone
Or was I there
With you
Temptations
There were more
Than a few
Was I alone
Or was I there
With you
Was I alone
When the mind
Was split in two
Was I alone
Or was I there
With you
There was death
But I knew
What to do
Was I alone
Or was I there
With you
A Street
You'll have to wait
If you're waiting
For an argument
With me
You'll have to wait
Till it's over
And life and death
Agree
I used to be your favourite drunk
Good for one more laugh
Then we both ran out of luck
And luck was all we had
You put on a uniform
To fight the Civil War
I tried to join but no one liked
The side I'm fighting for
So let's drink to when it's over
And let's drink to when we meet
I'II be standing on this corner
Where there used to be a street
You left me with the dishes
And a baby in the bath
And you're tight with the militias
You wear their camouflage
I guess that makes us equal
But I want to march with you
An extra in the sequel
To the old red-white-and-blue
So let's drink to when it's over
And let's drink to when we meet
I'll be standing on this corner
Where there used to be a street
I cried for you this morning
And I'll cry for you again
But I'm not in charge of sorrow
So please don't ask me when
I know the burden's heavy
As you bear it through the night
Some people say it's empty
But that doesn't mean it's light
So let's drink to when it's over
And let's drink to when we meet
I'll be standing on this corner
Where there used to be a street
It's going to be September now
For many years to come
Every heart adjusting
To the strict September drum
I see the Ghost of Culture
With the numbers on his wrist
Salute some new conclusion
Which all of us have missed
So let's drink to when it's over
And let's drink to when we meet
I'll be standing on this corner
Where there used to be a street
"Anyhow"
I know it really is a pity
The way you treat me now
I know you can’t forgive me
But forgive me anyhow
The ending got so ugly
I even heard you say
You never ever loved me
But could you love me anyway
I dreamed about you baby
You were wearing half your dress
I know you have to hate me
But could you hate me less?
I used up all my chances
And you’ll never take me back
But there ain’t no harm in asking
Could you cut me one more slack?
I’m naked and I’m filthy
And there’s sweat upon my brow
And both of us are guilty
Anyhow
Have mercy on me baby
After all I did confess
Even though you have to hate me
Could you hate me less?
It’s a shame and it’s a pity
I know you can’t forgive me
The ending got so ugly
You never ever loved me
Dreamed about you baby
I know you have to hate me
I’m naked and I’m filthy
And both of us are guilty
Anyhow
Have mercy on me baby
I'd feel you so much better
I'd write you a poem
That sounds like a letter
I'd kill someone mean
And I'd cut off his ear
And I'd send it to you
With “I wish you were here”
I'm trying to finish
My shabby career
With a white cigarette
And a curtain of beer
I begged you to come
I begged on the phone
How wrong can you get
I was better alone
I am trying to finish
My shabby career
With a little truth
In the now and here
Was I alone
When we swore
To keep it true
Was I alone
Or was I there
With you
Temptations
There were more
Than a few
Was I alone
Or was I there
With you
Was I alone
When the mind
Was split in two
Was I alone
Or was I there
With you
There was death
But I knew
What to do
Was I alone
Or was I there
With you
A Street
You'll have to wait
If you're waiting
For an argument
With me
You'll have to wait
Till it's over
And life and death
Agree
I used to be your favourite drunk
Good for one more laugh
Then we both ran out of luck
And luck was all we had
You put on a uniform
To fight the Civil War
I tried to join but no one liked
The side I'm fighting for
So let's drink to when it's over
And let's drink to when we meet
I'II be standing on this corner
Where there used to be a street
You left me with the dishes
And a baby in the bath
And you're tight with the militias
You wear their camouflage
I guess that makes us equal
But I want to march with you
An extra in the sequel
To the old red-white-and-blue
So let's drink to when it's over
And let's drink to when we meet
I'll be standing on this corner
Where there used to be a street
I cried for you this morning
And I'll cry for you again
But I'm not in charge of sorrow
So please don't ask me when
I know the burden's heavy
As you bear it through the night
Some people say it's empty
But that doesn't mean it's light
So let's drink to when it's over
And let's drink to when we meet
I'll be standing on this corner
Where there used to be a street
It's going to be September now
For many years to come
Every heart adjusting
To the strict September drum
I see the Ghost of Culture
With the numbers on his wrist
Salute some new conclusion
Which all of us have missed
So let's drink to when it's over
And let's drink to when we meet
I'll be standing on this corner
Where there used to be a street
"Anyhow"
I know it really is a pity
The way you treat me now
I know you can’t forgive me
But forgive me anyhow
The ending got so ugly
I even heard you say
You never ever loved me
But could you love me anyway
I dreamed about you baby
You were wearing half your dress
I know you have to hate me
But could you hate me less?
I used up all my chances
And you’ll never take me back
But there ain’t no harm in asking
Could you cut me one more slack?
I’m naked and I’m filthy
And there’s sweat upon my brow
And both of us are guilty
Anyhow
Have mercy on me baby
After all I did confess
Even though you have to hate me
Could you hate me less?
It’s a shame and it’s a pity
I know you can’t forgive me
The ending got so ugly
You never ever loved me
Dreamed about you baby
I know you have to hate me
I’m naked and I’m filthy
And both of us are guilty
Anyhow
Have mercy on me baby