Teachers
Leonard Cohen · Complete Studio Albums Collection [2011]
Her hair the black that black can go
Are you a teacher of the heart?
Soft she answered no
I met a girl across the sea
Her hair the gold that gold can be
Are you a teacher of the heart?
Yes, but not for thee
I met a man who lost his mind
In some lost place I had to find
Follow me the wise man said
But he walked behind
I walked into a hospital
Where none was sick and none was well
When at night the nurses left
I could not walk at all
Morning came and then came noon
Dinner time a scalpel blade
Lay beside my silver spoon
Some girls wander by mistake
Into the mess that scalpels make
Are you the teachers of my heart?
We teach old hearts to break
One morning I woke up alone
The hospital and the nurses gone
Have I carved enough my Lord?
Child, you are a bone
I ate and ate and ate
No I did not miss a plate, well
How much do these suppers cost?
We'll take it out in hate
I spent my hatred everyplace
On every work on every face
Someone gave me wishes
And I wished for an embrace
Several girls embraced me, then
I was embraced by men
Is my passion perfect?
No, do it once again
I was handsome I was strong
I knew the words of every song
Did my singing please you?
No, the words you sang were wrong
Who is it whom I address
Who takes down what I confess?
Are you the teachers of my heart?
We teach old hearts to rest
Oh teachers are my lessons done?
I cannot do another one
They laughed and laughed and said
Well child, are your lessons done?
Are your lessons done?
Are your lessons done?
Teachers - Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen's 'Teachers' stands as a poignant exploration of the complex relationship between educators and students, delivered with his signature baritone and poetic lyricism. Recorded for the comprehensive 'Complete Studio Albums Collection,' the track exemplifies Cohen's ability to weave social commentary into intimate, confessional ballads. The song reflects his lifelong interest in the moral responsibilities of authority figures and the transformative power of learning, characteristic of his work spanning from his early folk period to his later spiritual explorations. Through subtle instrumentation and Cohen's evocative delivery, the recording captures a quiet intensity that invites listeners to reflect on the enduring impact of those who teach.