11-14-2016, 09:42 PM
The second-most-disturbing development this week was songwriter Leonard Cohen passing away, on Monday. Cohen germinated in the same cultural cell-culture dish as my Mom, in Jewish Montreal in the 1940s. In his memory and honor, I’d like to share with you a song he wrote that well-captures today’s mood:
"Everybody knows that the dice are loaded.
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed.
Everybody knows the war is over.
Everybody knows the good guys lost.
Everybody knows the fight was fixed.
The poor stay poor, the rich get rich.
That's how it goes.
Everybody knows.
Everybody knows that the boat is leaking.
Everybody knows that the captain lied.
Everybody got this broken feeling.
Like their father or their dog just died.
Everybody talking to their pockets.
Everybody wants a box of chocolates,
And a long-stem rose.
Everybody knows.
Everybody knows that you love me, Baby.
Everybody knows that you really do.
Everybody knows that you've been faithful.
Ah, give or take a night or two.
Everybody knows you've been discreet.
But there were so many people you just had to meet
Without your clothes.
And everybody knows.
Everybody knows, everybody knows.
That's how it goes.
Everybody knows
Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes.
Everybody knows.
And everybody knows that it's now or never.
Everybody knows that it's me or you.
And everybody knows that you live forever,
Ah, when you've done a line or two.
Everybody knows the deal is rotten.
Old Black Joe's still pickin' cotton
For your ribbons and bows.
And everybody knows.
And everybody knows that the Plague is coming.
Everybody knows that it's moving fast.
Everybody knows that the naked man and woman
Are just a shining artifact of the past.
Everybody knows the scene is dead.
There's gonna be a meter on your bed
That will disclose
What everybody knows.
And everybody knows that you're in trouble.
Everybody knows what you've been through.
From the bloody cross on top of Calvary,
To the beach of Malibu.
Everybody knows it's coming apart.
Take one last look at this Sacred Heart
Before it blows.
And everybody knows.
Everybody knows, everybody knows.
That's how it goes.
Everybody knows."
- Leonard Cohen, “Everybody Knows” (1988).
Leonard Cohen, inspiration to millions, R.I.P.
https://youtu.be/Lin-a2lTelg
"Everybody knows that the dice are loaded.
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed.
Everybody knows the war is over.
Everybody knows the good guys lost.
Everybody knows the fight was fixed.
The poor stay poor, the rich get rich.
That's how it goes.
Everybody knows.
Everybody knows that the boat is leaking.
Everybody knows that the captain lied.
Everybody got this broken feeling.
Like their father or their dog just died.
Everybody talking to their pockets.
Everybody wants a box of chocolates,
And a long-stem rose.
Everybody knows.
Everybody knows that you love me, Baby.
Everybody knows that you really do.
Everybody knows that you've been faithful.
Ah, give or take a night or two.
Everybody knows you've been discreet.
But there were so many people you just had to meet
Without your clothes.
And everybody knows.
Everybody knows, everybody knows.
That's how it goes.
Everybody knows
Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes.
Everybody knows.
And everybody knows that it's now or never.
Everybody knows that it's me or you.
And everybody knows that you live forever,
Ah, when you've done a line or two.
Everybody knows the deal is rotten.
Old Black Joe's still pickin' cotton
For your ribbons and bows.
And everybody knows.
And everybody knows that the Plague is coming.
Everybody knows that it's moving fast.
Everybody knows that the naked man and woman
Are just a shining artifact of the past.
Everybody knows the scene is dead.
There's gonna be a meter on your bed
That will disclose
What everybody knows.
And everybody knows that you're in trouble.
Everybody knows what you've been through.
From the bloody cross on top of Calvary,
To the beach of Malibu.
Everybody knows it's coming apart.
Take one last look at this Sacred Heart
Before it blows.
And everybody knows.
Everybody knows, everybody knows.
That's how it goes.
Everybody knows."
- Leonard Cohen, “Everybody Knows” (1988).
Leonard Cohen, inspiration to millions, R.I.P.
https://youtu.be/Lin-a2lTelg