True Love Leaves No Traces

Leonard Cohen · Complete Studio Albums Collection [2011]

As the mist leaves no scar

On the dark green hill

So my body leaves no scar

On you and never will



Through windows in the dark

The children come, the children go

Like arrows with no targets

Like shackles made of snow



True love leaves no traces

If you and I are one

It's lost in our embraces

Like stars against the sun



As a falling leaf may rest

A moment on the air

So your head upon my breast

So my hand upon your hair



And many nights endure

Without a moon or star

So we will endure

When one is gone and far



True love leaves no traces

If you and I are one

It's lost in our embraces

Like stars against the sun

True Love Leaves No Traces

Leonard Cohen's "True Love Leaves No Traces" stands as a poignant exploration of enduring affection within his later musical period. Recorded for the comprehensive "Complete Studio Albums Collection," the track exemplifies Cohen's signature blend of poetic lyricism and haunting melody. The song reflects his mature artistic voice, characteristic of works released in the 2010s, where he delved deeper into themes of spiritual longing and the complexities of human connection. With its sparse instrumentation and Cohen's distinctive baritone, the recording captures a quiet intensity that defines his final catalog of studio work. It serves as a testament to his ability to distill profound emotional truths into concise, timeless compositions that resonate across generations.