The Guests
Leonard Cohen · Complete Studio Albums Collection [2011]
The guests are coming through
The open-hearted many
The broken-hearted few
And no one knows where the night is going
And no one knows why the wine is flowing
Oh love, I need you, I need you, I need you, I need you
Oh, I need you now
And those who dance, begin to dance
Those who weap begin
And "Welcome, welcome" cries a voice
"Let all my guests come in"
And no one knows where the night is going
And no one knows why the wine is flowing
Oh love, I need you, I need you, I need you, I need you
Oh, I need you now
And all go stumbling through that house
in lonely secrecy
Saying "Do reveal yourself"
or "Why has thou forsaken me?"
And no one knows where the night is going
And no one knows why the wine is flowing
Oh love, I need you, I need you, I need you, I need you
Oh, I need you now
All at once the torches flare
The inner door flies open
One by one they enter there
In every style of passion
And no one knows where the night is going
And no one knows why the wine is flowing
Oh love, I need you, I need you, I need you, I need you
Oh, I need you now
And here they take their sweet repast
While house and grounds resolve
And one by one the guests are cast
Beyond the garden wall
And no one knows where the night is going
And no one knows why the wine is flowing
Oh love, I need you, I need you, I need you, I need you
Oh, I need you now
For those who dance, begin to dance
Those who weap begin
Those who earnestly are lost
Are lost and lost again
And no one knows where the night is going
And no one knows why the wine is flowing
Oh love, I need you, I need you, I need you, I need you
Oh, I need you now
One by one the guests arrive
The guests are coming through
The broken-hearted many
The open-hearted few
And no one knows where the night is going
And no one knows why the wine is flowing
Oh love, I need you, I need you, I need you, I need you
Oh, I need you now
The Guests - Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen's "The Guests" stands as a haunting centerpiece in his later discography, reflecting the introspective and spiritual themes that defined his mature work. Recorded within the context of his extensive studio catalog, the track exemplifies Cohen's signature blend of folk and art rock, characterized by his distinctive baritone voice and poetic lyricism. The song explores themes of divine presence and human vulnerability, characteristic of his exploration of faith and mortality found in albums like "I'm Your Man" and "The Future." Its enduring appeal lies in its atmospheric quality and Cohen's ability to transform simple melodies into profound meditations on the human condition, cementing his status as a seminal figure in contemporary folk and singer-songwriter traditions.