Hunter's Lullaby
Leonard Cohen · Complete Studio Albums Collection [2011]
He's deep in the forest so wild
And he cannot take his wife with him
He cannot take his child
Your father's gone a-hunting
In the quicksand and the clay
And a woman cannot follow him
Although she knows the way
Your father's gone a-hunting
Through the silver and the glass
Where only greed can enter
But spirit, spirit cannot pass
Your father's gone a-hunting
For the beast we'll never cannot bind
And he leaves a baby sleeping
And his blessings all behind
Your father's gone a-hunting
And he's lost his lucky charm
And he's lost the guardian heart
That keeps the hunter from the harm
Your father's gone a-hunting
He asked me to say goodbye
And he warned me not to stop him
I wouldn't, I wouldn't even try
Hunter's Lullaby
Leonard Cohen's "Hunter's Lullaby" stands as a haunting centerpiece within his expansive discography, blending his signature poetic lyricism with a brooding, atmospheric sound. Recorded for the comprehensive "Complete Studio Albums Collection," the track exemplifies Cohen's mastery of the art song and folk traditions, utilizing sparse instrumentation to underscore themes of longing and spiritual introspection. The recording captures the raw emotional depth characteristic of his later work, where complex theological questions are woven into intimate, narrative-driven melodies. As a key component of his catalog, the piece invites listeners to engage with the subtle interplay between his vocal delivery and the evocative musical landscape, reinforcing his status as a profound voice in contemporary art music.