Leonard Cohen – Anthem (“bought and sold and bought again… the dove is never free”)

LEONARD COHEN LYRICS

“Anthem”, by Leonard Cohen

The birds they sang 
at the break of day 
Start again 
I heard them say 
Don’t dwell on what 
has passed away 
or what is yet to be. 
Ah the wars they will 
be fought again 
The holy dove 
She will be caught again 
bought and sold 
and bought again 
the dove is never free. Ring the bells that still can ring 
Forget your perfect offering 
There is a crack in everything 
That’s how the light gets in. We asked for signs 
the signs were sent: 
the birth betrayed 
the marriage spent 
Yeah the widowhood 
of every government — 
signs for all to see. 

I can’t run no more 
with that lawless crowd 
while the killers in high places 
say their prayers out loud. 
But they’ve summoned, they’ve summoned up 
a thundercloud 
and they’re going to hear from me. 

Ring the bells that still can ring … 

You can add up the parts 
but you won’t have the sum 
You can strike up the march, 
there is no drum 
Every heart, every heart 
to love will come 
but like a refugee. 

Ring the bells that still can ring 
Forget your perfect offering 
There is a crack, a crack in everything 
That’s how the light gets in. 

Ring the bells that still can ring 
Forget your perfect offering 
There is a crack, a crack in everything 
That’s how the light gets in. 
That’s how the light gets in. 
That’s how the light gets in.

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6 responses to “Leonard Cohen – Anthem (“bought and sold and bought again… the dove is never free”)

  1. absolutely superb piece by leonard cohen, one of my many favourite singers and musicians! i just wonder if people listening to it fully understand what he is trying to say…..

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    • I don’t want to belittle anyone, but I share your thought…I keep playing it from time to time, just hoping that somebody would feel the same way…You know I really feel, people don’t really care to dig too deep, into meaning, and if they do they keep to themselves about the way they feel, and not because they’re “private”, but from detachment…When you think, and you become one with this feelings, you loose some of that self confidence about the righteous way many grew up with…
      I cannot even say “it’s their loss”, ans we all lose!
      Thanks for the great thought Mike!

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      • well, george….i have always said what i feel…even if people like it or hate it!
        many years ago i lost a job because of that…i didnt agree with what the management were doing, so they booted me out….and you know what, george…we were doing work that people’s lives depended on…!! so yes, i agree totally….in a way, people dont want to dig deep…i feel that to do so, they may unearth feelings they have no outlet for…!
        at least you have a like-minded partner now, george…LOL!

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      • Quite so….But without courage for a cause there is no cause for courage! (If I may say so!)!
        Nice chat Mike,

        Cheers,

        George.

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      • agreed 101%…take care, george!

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      • You too Mike! Recognition, first step in finding solutions!

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