Cohen knows he is aware that he is dying by the time he started writing and recording this album. I miss this man so much, I was addicted to his poetry and music since I was a teen. This song gives me chills. When Cohen was asked if he feared death he chuckled and said "Fear? No, death is not what I fear, it's the preliminaries." Thank you for your reaction.
He is chiding God for allowing humanity our will. He is ready to leave to find the same God who has abandoned us. He knew his days were numbered when he wrote and recorded this.
You are brave brother to play this...much respect to you...Leonard had a very hypnotic voice as he grew older...he was a champion of the common man...most of his songs portrayed the human condition with compassion and illustrated all the strengths and weaknesses of us all and used this lense equally on himself...
This was Leonard's last album when he was in his early 80's and near death. He literally had to will himself to get out of what would soon be his deathbed and finish this album. This song is about preparing to die and reaching out to God, even though he always questioned His plan and why He allowed such evil into the world.
@@qwertygjfeykbstikudeukfsvncwyv A Millions of candles that were lighted in Church hoping for "His Help", only to be totally let down, over and over again, yet believing the propaganda or organized religion.
Leonard Cohen has been my man for 50 years. He just got better and deeper over the years. He was dying when this album was made. His son Adam set up the recording session and Leonard bought a medical-grade easy chair to support his spine as it was deteriorating. He died soon after, the day before Trump was elected. I figured he knew nothing good was going to happen, so made a statement. The Shaar Hashomayim choir, from a Montreal synagogue is the backup.
If you want something a little lighter but just as profound from Leonard try "If it be your will" with the Webb sisters from his Live in London concert...absolutely beautiful...very uplifting
I think this is an indictment against G-d. It has very little to do with Cohen making his peace before dying. Oh, no. just pay attention to the lyrics-- "a million candles burning for the help that never came?" "I didn't know I had permission to murder and to main?" "If you are the Healer, I am broken and lame?" Cohen is accusing God, and being almost sarcastic. "What, You want it darker? Fine; we kill the Flame." Hineini! Here I am, Lord! Cohen never could make a break from G-d; but neither could he forgive Him for the evil He allows in the world. Listen carefully to the lyrics of "Hallelujah;" it is NOT a joyful song, as so many try to make it out to be.
It's difficult to talk briefly about this masterpiece. As many people have said, it's Cohen's death song, made in contemplation of his last days and no doubt heavily influenced by the death of Marianne. He himself died a short while after recording this and followed behind Marianne, holding her hand. Cohen claimed that he wasn't religious, but he was. His whole work, poetry, novels and songs are imbued with religion and in his last days he celebrated his Jewish heritage with the use of the Synagogue choir and Cantor as well as the centrepiece of the song, "Hineni," which means "here I am." But even here Leonard's fascination with Jesus is apparent. It's about a man before his maker too. The first verse is a comparison between the glory of God and the inadequacy of man and it has the first use of "you want it darker" which is the result of the killing of the pleas for help made in the lighting of candles. As far as the use of "the help that never came" in the case of God this is reminiscent of the words quoted by Jesus on the cross, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me," in the case of humanity it might be an allusion to the depravity of mankind. The third verse is probably the most religious as it looks at the paradox of a loving God who allows evil to flourish amongst His people. Cohen asserts that the love of God is true because "It's written in the Scriptures," yet still we end with the flame being extinguished. The fourth verse is about a Holocaust, not THE Holocaust and looks at the evil and hatred in the world. It pictures guards lining up prisoners to execute them, but at the same time, the evil is banal (commonplace) and omnipresent. Like the demons themselves, evil is middle class and tame, not just barbaric and savage, and people are given permission by God to "murder and maim" and they use it. In the final two verses the song swings around again to the beginning. It appears to me that Cohen is acknowledging both the perfection of God and that He allows the world to become worse and worse until the crisis of the Judgment. But still, amidst all of the evil, Cohen says to Him, "Here I am Lord." That's my interpretation but there are many better ones. It's worth mentioning that you need to listen to Cohen intoning his words, as with his other songs he doesn't just utter them, he plays with them. The rhythms he uses to do this are very interesting in themselves. The song was produced by his son, Adam Cohen.
I don’t think you could call Cohen religious if he said himself that he wasn’t. You _could_ however, call him spiritual, because then it’s not tied to any religion. 😊
Are you saying that he held Marianne's hand when she was dying? Did not know that. But, yes, he did die a few months later. You have some interesting interpretations of this song. In any case, I'm 74 and this song scares the hell out of me. I mean, is God not all loving and forgiving? And the music is not so much religious or choir-like but more like a foreboding chant. Really a dark song but I hope Leonard Cohen is resting in peace.
@@edprzydatek8398 Hi Ed, No, he wasn't there at her death, I was just making an allusion to the first paragraphs of his letter to her. “Well Marianne, it’s come to this time when we are really so old and our bodies are falling apart and I think I will follow you very soon. Know that I am so close behind you that if you stretch out your hand, I think you can reach mine." I'm not scared of death, I had a life-threatening condition a few years back and I realised then that although I don't welcome pain and I wanted to see my young children grow I wasn't scared of dying, but maybe that's because of my faith. But I can see what you mean about the song, it does sound very dark and seems to talk about a God who either doesn't care or has no power to care. But I think that the clue is in the word, "Hineni." Cohen may see a world where it seems to him there is little hope, but his recurrent commitment is, "Here I am, I'm ready, My Lord."
I am in my 70s now and have been a die-hard Leonard Cohen devotee for well over thirty years. He has so many great songs, I will not recommend just one as my favorite. But I will say that before you pass judgement on this one, please listen to others recorded when he was a younger man than this. He is truly in a class by himself and is one of the greatest of all time. Love your reactions, thank you!
"Magnified and sanctified" is the beginning of the prayer we say for the dead called the "kaddish", which means holiness. He was reciting his own kaddish for himself. He was feeling his death. "Heninee" can also mean I am here and ready to go to God. The soul is holy but human deeds can be an abomination of holiness. I agree with your interpretation.
This album was released 17 days before Leonard died. He sings the Hebrew word hineni, which means “here am I” followed in English by “I’m ready my lord”. He was ready to meet his maker.
At the time this album came out, hearing him sing "I'm ready my lord" and then he died.. still gives me the absolute chills even after listening it million times and the time that passed since he left us 🥲🥰
At the end of the chorus Cohen sings “Hineni, hineni; I'm ready, my lord.” Hineni is Hebrew for “here I am,” and is the response Abraham gives when God calls on him to sacrifice his son Isaac. It is also the name of a prayer of preparation and humility, addressed to God, chanted by the cantor on Rosh Hashanah.
This was his last album and he died shortly after recording it. This song is powerful as fuck because it’s essentially his last will and testament as an artist and a musician. And as a man who knows his days are numbered. Powerful. His other stuff is great too. And if you like this kind of music, I’d highly recommend you listen/react to some Tom Waits songs.
Pure genius! I don't think I've ever heard a Leonard Cohen song that didn't grab my brain and heart and not want to let go. Nothing else to say. Great reaction, Harri !
Kudos to you for reacting to Leonard Cohen. A true poet. Next you should listen to some of his early work like Suzanne, Goodbye Marianne and Sisters of Mercy before moving on to his most popular song, Hallelujah.
Have listened to Leonard Cohen since the early 90's (thanks to a movie called Pump Up The Volume, where his track Everybody Knows is used quite regularly - and is a definite must to check!) Then a high school teacher introduced me to his album, The Future - eyes were officially opened to his brilliance! Had to dig deeper. When this track hit - I was rapt, but I also had this feeling that he knew his end was near. Sure enough - he passed 17 days after the album was released! RIP Mr. Cohen - Canadian songwriting legend! You were ready for the Lord...let's hope they were ready for you! Peace.
This song is off of Cohen's last album, and is the title track (the album is also called You Want It Darker). The album was written and recorded while he was terminally ill with leukemia. Almost every song on it is about some aspect of facing death.
Lenny is a legend.. I've loved his music since the early 1990's when a friend of mine introduced me to his music by playing me i'm your man.. incredible poet
In my opinion Leonard was a poet who became a musician vs Bob Dylan who was a musician who became somewhat of a poet. Although I like Bob Dylan, my vote for the person who should have won the Nobel award for literature is Leonard Cohen vs Bob Dylan.
I was fortunate enough to see him live on many occasions. I bought his first album "the songs of Leonard Cohen" not long after it was released in the late 60's I have every album after that. He was a great entertainer and performer. RIP Leonard
You must remember that Leonard was rapidly comimg to the end of his life and these pieces are his commentary/observations on what he sees of this world
“Hineni, hineni; I'm ready, my lord.” Hineni is Hebrew for “here I am,” and is the response Abraham gives when God calls on him to sacrifice his son Isaac. It is also the name of a prayer of preparation and humility, addressed to God, chanted by the cantor on Rosh Hashanah.
The opening cuire is from his synagogue. Very unique song. Hineni is also a special word, "Here I am" and "I'm ready", first used by Issac as Abraham was getting ready to sacrifice him as God commanded him.
The phrase “Hineni” means “Here I am!” in Hebrew. It is both a call to God stating readiness and an affirmation from God that things are moving. If you believe in that sort of thing.
Yes, he is challenging God. He's saying "God you want evil in the world? You must because millions of prayers went unanswered. Ok. I will give you evil....If that's not what you want then actually show me ."
This song has everything a great L cohen song has. It’s a conversation with death, a look at our world and the misery we spread. The thousand candles looking for help that never came always make me think of Aleppo.
At the end of the chorus Cohen sings “Hineni, hineni; I'm ready, my lord.” Hineni is Hebrew for “here I am,” and is the response Abraham gives when God calls on him to sacrifice his son Isaac. It is also the name of a prayer of preparation and humility, addressed to God, chanted by the cantor on Rosh Hashanah.
interpreting poetry, or any art, is tricky because "good" art is universal in that we see ourselves reflected in it; we all interpret it as it applies to ourselves. That said, I think he is speaking for all humanity, asking how dark it must become before He comes again. As bad as it is, is it still not enough? Do you want it darker? That's how it hits me, anyway.
He is in part challenging The Creator for things that have been allowed and yet he still has reverence for The Creator - the "Million candles burning" is a reference to the Holocaust and the question of how can a loving God allow that to happen - it was a struggle between his faith and history - the juxtaposition of his love for God and his anger at God and in the end, the acceptance of God's will.
This is just another example of Leonard’s genius. When he was younger, his lady had to convince him to sing. I am glad he listened. His gravelly deep voice was so unique and powerful. Truly a Canadian legend. Thanks for this one, Harri
Leonard Cohen was a Jewish anglophone poet, in a protestant anglophone community, amongst a francophone community. He was a poet and scholar, that was everywhere amongst all those communities. Learning teaching sharing creating. He was with the poets, the painters, the sculptors, the lame and the weak, the downtrodden and the hopeful. The revolutionaries and people who were tired of this shit. Of all languages and faith. And... *then* he went into music. I'm a Québécois francophone. And I can tell you he is universally beloved here. In the 70s when he came back to Montréal from time to time, he'd give a 45min to 1hr interview to the French CBC, in french, just talking music and philosophy. To the end he was talking his shit and reflecting, pondering... you want it darker? A legend... he is missed..
Thank you, Harri, for sharing this--I'd not heard it until now. His talent was magnificent. An interesting life and what an impressive body of music and poetry he left behind for us.
Harri, I am really enjoying your reactions and thoughtful comments. I am a lover of the singer songwriters. On my Mount Olympus, Dylan is Zeus and right along side him are Leonard Cohen, John Prine and Tom Waits. There are a whole lot of other wonderful writers along with them, including Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen. While we are on Cohen, please play Chelsea Hotel# 2. It’s a beautiful ballad about his brief romantic encounter with Janis Joplin. You will love it! Thank you.
"Suzanne" (his first song), "Sisters of mercy", "Avalanche", "Did I ever love you", "One of us cannot be wrong" and so many more a lighter than this one. Well, actually all of his songs are great and lighter than this one. I'm looking forward to you reacting to more songs by Leonard Cohen. Thank you.
"Hineni" is Hebrew for "Here I Am". It's the first thing the Patriarch Abraham said when God called upon him. I believe this is one of Cohen's last recordings, getting ready to meet his Maker.
Magnified, sanctified Be thy holy name Vilified, crucified In the human frame it's written in the scriptures And it's not some idol claim Powerful stuff
Hineni...Isaiah 6:8...whom shall I send, who will go? HINENI! ( HERE I AM!! LORD!! SEND ME!...it is a prophecy of YESHUA ( JESUS) COMING, whos very hebrew name means SALVATION ...
Leonard was a very special incredible poet, writer, singer. He saw the terrible things happening in the world and didn't like what God has allowed humans to do but knew that in the end all he could do was turn himself over to God.
Avalanche by Cohen from his album Songs of Love and Hate tells a story of greed of destroying nature I think? Well worth listening to. The lyrics are deep.
He's making the arguments against the possibility of a loving God, in a sacred song conversing with God, as he approaches his own death. Go Leonard. Holding all the contradictions.
I've thought about this issue (God allowing bad things to happen) and listened to this song a few times. Not that Cohen necessarily had to be right in his thinking, but it's worth considering what he meant. Not necessarily Cohen's conclusions, but God is the source of everything that exists, and the definition of good and evil. He made everything, and nothing happens outside his control. So what is good vs evil? There is no real standard outside of God himself. We have what we get from traditions and culture; we have our ideas on how to act and think, and we have instructions from the bible and other sources on how to live and what to do, for those who care. We believe that if we do certain things, certain other things will be the result.If you live a righteous life you earn blessings. But that often isn't the case. Death, for instance. We think of it as almost the absolute worst to die or be killed. For most of us, it's a frightening prospect. Most people when they're old and at the end are ready for it. Some long for it in youth, which is considered a shame and foolishness. Yet what matters is what God wants and plans. He arranges life and death, joy and suffering. If he wants it darker, then darker it is. We can argue and call God bad for that, but it doesn't matter. What is, is. What happens if you refuse God because of that? What happens if you accept it and still call it good? I don't know. We'll all find out eventually.
I think one should be aware that this was written after Cohen had received his fatal cancer diagnosis; it was a goodbye song, much like Merle Haggard when he was in hospital writing his "Kern River Blues", with lyrics like "I'm leaving in the morning, get my breakfast in the sky", which was put on paper after he had been told that he wouldn't make it.
Is this a man who knew he didn't have much time left and decided if he was going to meet his maker he'd have a few questions for his supposedly all loving God???
Such a beautiful poet. He lead such a remarkable life and so much of it is in his music. It was so sad to see him go. Dance Me to the End of Love is one of my favorites.
I like your reaction, Harri. Leonard is a singer and story teller, thus the spoken word with the song. We know his voice is deep. I understand that Leonard is not making any judgement on what has happened but is letting his maker know here I am for your judgement. Many of his song are in spiritual was that question man's actions upon others. I'm looking forward to more of your reactions.
When it's Leonard Cohen asking if you want it darker, you're know you're going to a very dark place indeed. An incredibly moving and powerful song. Gives me chills when he says "I'm ready my lord."
BTW - Magnified, Sanctified be thy holy name is an almost direct translation of the Aramaic first line of the Kaddish ( יִתְגַּדַּל וְיִתְקַדַּשׁ שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא- Yitgadal vyitkadash shemeh rabbah) , a prayer central to all Jewish prayer services, and which is traditionally recited daily by Jewish mourners for a year after the loss of a loved one. This line is brilliantly placed as he was aware that his own death was imminent. Also the way the following line (vilified Crucified…) deviates from the Jewish tradition to reference Cohen's life long fascination with Jesus. Hineni -הִנֵּֽנִי- (Here I am) is the prayer of humility composed by an anonymous Hebrew poet in the middle-ages, that is chanted by Jewish Cantors during the high holiday services where the community collectively prays for atonement from individual and collective transgressions. This was a deeply spiritual piece especially in light of Marianne's death (just before he wrote it) and his own imminent death just after he recorded it. This may have been Cohen's greatest masterpiece. Which is why we just had to record it. Please check out our version - You Want it Darker Performed by JAFFA ROAD Please leave a comment to let us know what you think of our interpretation of Cohen's incredible song. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-nsllSJt6F-A.html
