The Old Revolution

Leonard Cohen · Complete Studio Albums Collection [2011]

When they poured across the border

I was cautioned to surrender,

This I could not do;

I took my gun and vanished.



I have changed my name so often,

I've lost my wife and children

But I have many friends,

And some of them are with me.



An old woman gave us shelter,

Kept us hidden in the garret,

Then the soldiers came;

She died without a whisper.



There were three of us this morning

I'm the only one this evening

But I must go on;

The frontiers are my prison.



Oh, the wind, the wind is blowing,

Through the graves the wind is blowing,

Freedom soon will come;

Then we'll come from the shadows.



Les Allemands e'taient chez moi,

Ils me dirent, "Signe toi,"

Mais je n'ai pas peur;

J'ai repris mon arme.



J'ai change' cent fois de nom,

J'ai perdu femme et enfants

Mais j'ai tant d'amis;

J'ai la France entie're.



Un vieil homme dans un grenier

Pour la nuit nous a cache',

Les Allemands l'ont pris;

Il est mort sans surprise.



Oh, the wind, the wind is blowing,

Through the graves the wind is blowing,

Freedom soon will come;

Then we'll come from the shadows.

The Old Revolution

Leonard Cohen's 'The Old Revolution' stands as a haunting centerpiece within his expansive discography, reflecting the poet's signature blend of spiritual inquiry and social commentary. Recorded during a period of intense creative output, the track exemplifies Cohen's mastery of the baritone voice and his ability to weave complex themes into accessible melodies. As part of his broader catalog of studio works, the song captures the essence of his late-career reflections on history, faith, and the human condition. Its enduring appeal lies in its atmospheric production and Cohen's evocative lyricism, which invites listeners to contemplate the weight of the past and the resilience of the spirit. The recording remains a testament to his status as a profound artist whose music transcends genre boundaries to touch the universal.