Anthem
Leonard Cohen · Complete Studio Albums Collection [2011]
At the break of day
Start again
I heard them say
Don't dwell on what
Has passed away
Or what is yet to be
The wars they will
Be fought again
The holy dove
Be caught again
Bought and sold
And bought again
The dove is never free
Chorus
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in
We asked for signs
The signs were sent
The birth betrayed
The marriage spent
The widowhood
Of every government
Signs for all to see
Can't run no more
With the lawless crowd
While the killers in high places
Say their prayers out loud
But they've summoned up
A thundercloud
And they're going to hear from me
Chorus
You can add up the parts
But you won't have the sum
You can strike up the march
There is no drum
Every heart
To love will come
But like a refugee
Chorus
Anthem - Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen's "Anthem" stands as a defining work of his late-career resurgence, capturing the raw, confessional spirit that characterized his final studio sessions. Recorded during the creation of the "Complete Studio Albums Collection," the track exemplifies Cohen's mastery of blending poetic lyricism with a haunting, minimalist musical arrangement. The song reflects his enduring ability to distill complex spiritual and existential themes into accessible, emotionally resonant verses. As part of his extensive discography, "Anthem" continues to demonstrate the profound influence Cohen exerted on art song and folk-rock, offering a timeless meditation on faith and human condition that remains central to his legacy.