Музыкант Леонард Коэн посмертно удостоен "Грэмми"

My Interpretation No question whether Leonard knew this will be his swan song - 'twas why the song was published on the Net before the album came out. He had wanted it out there before he died, and waiting for the entire album might have turned out too late. He also wrote a farewell letter to his old love Marianne Ihlen when she was dying, saying: "Know that I am so close behind you that if you stretch out your hand, I think you can reach mine." So, now doubt there - he knew. Nor is there any question whom he's talking to in the song. Question is, however, what exactly does "You want it darker" mean. Who wants it darker? The person he's talking to? God? Or if not, who else then? Also *what* does this subject want darker - and most important, *WHY*? You might ask: What difference does that make? Why would a single "You" be so important to the meaning of the whole song? Well, because it changes everything! It turns the whole thing upside down. Namely, I don't see that Cohen is making peace with God here. Quite the contrary in fact. I think, he's proclaiming a mighty grudge against God! Why? Well, most obviously because of these verses: A million candles burning for the help that never came A million candles burning for the love that never came I can't think of any other interpretaion to these than: millions of people are asking (praying) for help, but God never listens or answers. God is supposed to guide, help and love humans, however none of that help, nor love are ever there. Worse yet - when Cohen says: You want it darker We kill the flame it's of utmost importance to know whom this "You" refers to. I think it still refers to God, and if so, these two verses can be interpreted as: It's God that wants us to do bad things ("*You* want it darker") and we tend to always obey that ("We kill the flame"). Not a very merciful and loving God then, is it? When you view it like this, then verses: If you are the dealer, I'm out of the game If you are the healer, it means I'm broken and lame If thine is the glory then mine must be the shame suddenly make much more sense as well. In this case they mean: "I have enough of being a game peon - a mere toy to a god, whom lets people sufer, yet churches and priests still sing glory to HIM and assign all the shame to those same suffering people." There's a lover in the story But the story's still the same There's a lullaby for suffering And a paradox to blame But it's written in the scriptures And it's not some idle claim You want it darker can be interpreted as: if God is so loving ("There's a lover in the story"), then how come what The Book ("The story") says is nothing but a "lullaby for suffering" - suffering that the whole human history actually is. This doesn't make sense - it's a paradox. Though the priests/churches don't see it that way (they just apportion the blame to people instead). And it isn't just how they *interpret* those books (Torah, Bible, etc.) - it's what's actually written: God wants us only to suffer, and a loving creature would never do that. Then there's: They're lining up the prisoners And the guards are taking aim I struggled with some demons They were middle class and tame I didn't know I had permission to murder and to maim You want it darker First two verses I understand either as: "My time has come and I know I'm about to die" or "There's always some killing done in the world, justified by whatever reasons" (I'm leaning a bit towards second interpretation, but knowing Cohen, it might very well be that he meant both at the same time.) Next three verses I understand as: "I know I've done some bad things in my life, however nothing as bad as some much more influential people do, namely they murder and maim - justifying it as that they have the authority and permission for it". And then again it is: "*You* want it darker..." When you see it like that, then: Hineni, hineni I'm ready, my lord doesn't mean simply: "Here I am, kneeeling down, bowing my head and begging for mercy", but proud: "Behold! Here I stand. I'm ready to go. But not because I blindly accept what I was told, but because I don't want to take any of this crap any more. I want out of the game. It never was my game anyway." That is how I understand it. And believe how it was meant to be understood. Kudos Leonard! One of your most powerful songs ever. And you've certainly created more than your fair share of those.