A simple song, don’t you think? It was written in 1988…more than a decade before the term “Twin Towers” became a global emblem for all the “sides” of this world-wide chaos “They” resolutely refuse to designate a war. “They” think if the word isn’t used, the reality won’t come to pass, even as the gardens of Europe are being trampled by the feet of thousands who never had the space, money, or inclination to grow their own garden. Don’t expect them to care.

Meanwhile, here in our small world, the overly-orchestrated irony of Cohen’s finished product seems a sly counterpoint to this sunny September afternoon with its sotto voce slur of crickets…

The sky is so deeply blue and the air so friendly against the skin who would ever notice the sun’s infinitesimal turn toward Autumn? Even the sentinel tulip poplars are slow to signal their yellow flags too blatantly. It is only the small gum trees, leaves on fire, who are willing to warn anyone willing to see what they are sure is really coming…

[The lyrics are below the fold]

“They sentenced me to twenty years of boredom
For trying to change the system from within
I’m coming now, I’m coming to reward them
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

I’m guided by a signal in the heavens
I’m guided by this birthmark on my skin
I’m guided by the beauty of our weapons
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

I’d really like to live beside you, baby
I love your body and your spirit and your clothes
But you see that line there moving through the station?
I told you, I told you, told you I was one of those
Ah, you loved me as a loser
But now you’re worried that I just might win
You know the way to stop me, but you don’t have the discipline
How many nights I prayed for this, to let my work begin
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

I don’t like your fashion business, mister
And I don’t like these drugs that keep you thin
I don’t like what happened to my sister
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

I’d really like to live beside you, baby
I love your body and your spirit and your clothes
But you see that line there movin’ through the station?
I told you, I told you, told you I was one of those
And I thank you for those items that you sent me
The monkey and the plywood violin
I practiced every night, now I’m ready
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

I am guided
Ah, remember me, I used to live for music
Remember me, I brought your groceries in
Well, it’s Father’s Day and everybody’s wounded
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin…”