The Smokey Life
Leonard Cohen · Mojo Presents [2003]
I've never seen your appetite quite this occupied
Elsewhere is your feast of love
I know... where long ago we agreed to keep it light
So lets be married one more night
It's light, light enough
To let it go
It's light enough to let it go
Remember when the scenery started fading
I held you til you learned to walk on air
So don't look down the ground is gone,
There's no one waiting anyway
The Smoky Life is practiced
Everywhere
So set your restless heart at ease
Take a lesson from these Autumn leaves
They waste no time waiting for the snow
Don't argue now you'll be late
There is nothing to investigate
It's light enough, light enough
To let it go
Light enough to let it go
Remember when the scenery started fading
I held you til you learned to walk on air
So don't look down the ground is gone,
There's no one waiting anyway
The Smoky Life is practiced everywhere
Come on back if the moment lends
You can look up all my very closest friends
Light, light enough
To let it go
It's light enough to let it go
The Smokey Life
Leonard Cohen's "The Smokey Life" appears on the 2003 compilation Mojo Presents, showcasing his enduring ability to blend spiritual introspection with a distinct, brooding vocal style. While often associated with his more folk-oriented period, this track reflects the mature, poetic sensibilities that defined his later career. Cohen's work consistently explores themes of faith, mortality, and human connection, delivered through a unique fusion of classical influences and raw, confessional lyricism. The recording captures the essence of his late-period artistry, where complex theological questions are woven into accessible, haunting melodies. Like many of his compositions, the song invites listeners to contemplate the complexities of the human condition without offering easy answers, maintaining the enigmatic and profound quality that has made his catalog a cornerstone of alternative and folk music history.