moonshadow ray offeringsAll the sisters of mercy,
They are not departed or gone.
They were waiting for me
When I thought that I just cannot go on.
And they brought me their comfort,
Later they brought me this song.
Ah yes I hope you run into them,
You who've been travelling so long.
Yeah, you who must leave everything
That you cannot control.
It begins with your family,
But soon it comes around to your soul.
Well I've been where you're hanging
And I think I can see how you're pinned:
Yeah when you're not feeling holy,
Your loneliness tells you, you've sinned.
They lay down beside me,
I made my confession to them.
They touched both my eyes,
I touched the dew on their hem.
If your life is a leaf
That the seasons tear off and condemn
Ah they will bind you with love
That is graceful 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 that they sweetened your night:
Ah we weren't lovers like that
And besides it would still be all right
Leonard Cohen
This man is brilliant. Lately, I have been listening to a version of this hauntingly beautiful song of redemption and love which was recorded by Sting and it has been floating in my head all week. The lyrics keep returning to me as I wonder about the many people whose lives are so complicated and messed up these days......and who feel a sense of sinned loneliness as Cohen so eloquently expresses. I love the nature images.......the use of the moon as a guide, spring renewal....forgiveness and rebirth.
It is a song of hope for anyone who has found themselves "pinned" by their own sins......who felt the the loneliness of screwing up. We've all been there one way or another.......at different times in our lives. Cohen has offered us a gift to understanding this.
Who are the sister's of mercy? I have a picture in my head of who they are and what they look like, but am wondering what images are conjured up for you when you read the lyrics or listen to the song?
It is a song of hope for anyone who has found themselves "pinned" by their own sins......who felt the the loneliness of screwing up. We've all been there one way or another.......at different times in our lives. Cohen has offered us a gift to understanding this.
Who are the sister's of mercy? I have a picture in my head of who they are and what they look like, but am wondering what images are conjured up for you when you read the lyrics or listen to the song?
11 comments:
The sisters of mercy are those who reach out to me in acceptance when I feel unacceptable. They are friends, professionals, strangers, relatives, colleagues. They are different people at different times. Their compassion is the common thread.
How could it be said better than caroline. I hope though that I am a sister of mercy to my own as well. It seems like a gift to be one of them. xx
I must agree also with caroline....
They are those people who love me well.....
strange to think of sisters of mercy being blokes....glad some are though
interesting.......I think you may be right, Caroline. Maybe anyone who reaches out when we are feeling the most vulnerable is a sister (or brother) of mercy. I hadn't thought about it that way.
My thoughts led me down a path of thinking that they were more ethereal, like guardian angels who quietly visited in the middle of the night to pass on the message from above of unconditional love.
you mystic you...
nah......just a dreamer. you're the mystic. :)
You know I never listened to Cohen - was always told how depressing he was...and I believed...
I agree with Caroline, they are the gems who arrive just as you need them, who show the most unconditional love and understanding...
and indeed one who has been there the most is male :)
Hi Katie....Welcome home! Hope your weekend away was resoundingly wonderful..... am a little bit envious :)
Cohen's voice is a little dark, but his songs and poetry resonates love and faith. He writes about relationships and feelings and grace.
I have heard Sisters of Mercy sung by a few others....including Cohen. My preference is Sting who sings it with the Chieftains. check it out!
Thank you for these lyrics ... a wonderful reminder of mercy and redemption ... xx, JP
My sisters of mercy are those who not only embrace me always, but confidently admit that they are often in need of the sisters of mercy.
If we could rid the world of the falsity of the loneliness of sin just by being who we are- that would be quite a transformation.
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