Leonard Cohen: So Long, Marianne

"I began this on Aylmer Street in Montreal and finished it a year or so later at the Chelsea Hotel in New York. I didn't think I was saying goodbye, but I guess I was." (Leonard Cohen)
1. Come A 
over to the window, my little 
Bm 
darling,

D 
I'd like to try to read your 
A 
palm.

G 
I used to think I was some kind of 
D 
Gypsy boy,

F#m 
before I let you take me 
E 
home.
Esus4 
 


R: E E7 
Now
A 
 so long, Marianne,

F#m 
it's time that we began

to E 
laugh 
Esus4 
and 
E 
cry 
E7 
and 
E 
cry 
Esus4/E 
and

E 
laugh a
E7 
bout it all
A 
 again.
Asus4 A Asus4 A 
 


2. 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.

R: Now so long, Marianne…

3. We met when we were almost young
deep in the green lilac park.
You held on to me like I was a crucifix,
as we went kneeling through the dark.

R: Oh so long, Marianne…

4. Your letters they all say that you're beside me now.
Then why do I feel alone?
I'm standing on a ledge and your fine spider web
is fastening my ankle to a stone.

R: Now so long, Marianne…
5. For now I need your hidden love.
I'm cold as a new razor blade.
You left when I told you I was curious,
I never said that I was brave.

R: Oh so long, Marianne…

6. Oh, you are really such a pretty one.
I see you've gone and changed your name again.
And just when I climbed this whole mountainside,
to wash my eyelids in the rain!

R: Oh so long, Marianne…

(last two verses not on CD)

7. Oh your eyes, well I forgot Your eyes
Your body's at home in every sea.
How come you gave away your news to everyone
That you said was a secret for me.

R: Oh so long, Marianne…

8. If you leave, where will I keep you then
In my heart as some men say
But I who was born to love everyone
Why should I keep you so far away?

R: Oh so long, Marianne…