The week of November 6 was a tough one. The election. Armistice/Veteran’s Day. And, the demise of Leonard Cohen.

I have been enamored of Leonard’s poetry for decades. (I have three or four other favorite poets, too. Another facet of my life, one added long after I decided to be a ChemE at the ripe old age of 8.)

Leonard was born in Montreal (Canada)- and for those of you who don’t know the significance of his family name- he was, indeed, of the priestly caste of Judaism, a descendant of Aharon. (He often said he had a “messianic childhood”.) He wrote his first book of poetry at the age of 22- and continued to write until his death on Monday, 7 November 2016.  (He was buried in Montreal on the 10th)

Leonard felt poetry and songs “must be measured by their utility.  Any jaunty little tune that can get you from one point to another as you drive, or get you through the dishes, or that can illuminate or dignify your courting, I always appreciate.”

To this very minute, my soul is called to attention when I hear Leonard’s signature poem, Halleluya. This is but one of his many poems that have strong Jewish roots. And, being the perfectionist that Leonard was, it should not be surprising to learn he spent some five years “completing” this masterpiece. It’s been sung by him. Sung by Jeff Buckley. Sung by Jack Lukeman. (There are links below to each version.)

Leonard Cohen and Friends

Jeff Buckley

Jack L

This poem (Halleluya) brings in the younger David playing for King Shaul, David’s dalliance with Bat Sheva, Shimshon (Samson) and Delila,  Rome’s conquering of Israel, and then finishing up with a couple whose relationship is now on hard times. Yes, I first heard this when I was in that last situation. But, I’ll bet it tugs at your soul- whether you are in a rocky relationship or not-  as you listen to any of the versions above.

Way back in 1960, Leonard met a married woman (Marianne Ihlen), who became his significant other. She was the one who inspired much of his poetry. There were other women n his life (Joni Mitchell, Rebecca de Mornay), but he “married” (as in common law) Suzanne Elrod a decade later, with whom he was blessed with two children.

One fact many of his fans may not know was Cohen’s inspirational singing for the Israeli troops during the Yom Kippur War. This was the war for which the Israelis should have been prepared- but weren’t, and it involved serious battles.

In 1984, Cohen wrote “Dance Me to the End of Time”. A poem (and song) that many consider a love song. But, Cohen wrote that in response to a visit to the concentration camps and their part in the Holocaust. He was reacting to the fact that the Jews were forced to play music while their coreligionists were being exterminated in the chamber(s) beside them. He recognized that end of one’s existence and the passion of life in that situation was akin to our surrender to a beloved. A book of that poem accompanied with paintings by Henri Mattisse was given to me as a gift from an ex-fiance.  (She obviously did not know the origin.)

Leonard Cohen disappeared from the music and poetry scene for a while- but returned when he was 70, because his business manager stole from him- leaving him virtually penniless.

Leonard’s songs have adorned many TV shows.  Sons of Anarchy used “Come Healing”, True Detective used “Nevermind”, and one Criminal Minds episode was replete with Cohen’s tunes.  And, one of the more moving musical choices in that episode was “Who By Fire”.

“Who By Fire” is one of the more religious lyrics Cohen ever penned.  It actually was his version of the much beloved Unetane Tokef, part of the High Holiday (Rosh Hashana and Yom Kipur) liturgy.  Cohen’s version updates the medieval situation dramatically. This tune also served as the coda for the finale episode of “The Americans” in 2016.

And who by fire, who by water
Who in the sunshine, who in the night time
Who by high ordeal, who by common trial…
Who in your merry-merry month of may
Who by very slow decay
And who shall I say is calling?

And who in her lonely slip, who by barbiturate
Who in these realms of love, who by something blunt
Who by avalanche, who by powder
Who for his greed, who for his hunger
And who shall I say is calling?

And who by brave assent, who by accident
Who in solitude, who in this mirror
Who by his lady’s command, who by his own hand
Who in mortal chains, who in power
And who shall I say is calling?

Like the Unetana Tokef, it’s clear that we all depart this earth. How we depart, when we depart- that’s only known by the Supreme Being. Who clearly had a plan for Leonard.

His words from Halleluya are the perfect epitaph for him: And even though, it all went wrong, I’ll stand before the Lord of Song, With nothing on my tongue but Halleluya.

May his memory- his poetry and his songs- all be a blessing for our lives.