Blessed Is The Memory

Leonard Cohen · Other Songs - Leonard Cohen

I remember the promise

that you made in the barn

when the kittens were born

and you could not keep warm

so you moved away the mountain

that the sun rose behind

and you said yourself a prayer

and laid down with the blind

but you lost them in your freedom

and you need him now you're wild

blessed is the memory

of everybody's child



And the vow of compassion

that you swore through your teeth

when the war began to end

and the photographs weep

well nobody blames you

as the train pulls away

with its cargo of snow

for these German paper-weights

but you lost them in your freedom

and you need him now you're wild

blessed is the memory

of everybody's child



Well it's five in the morning

there's no one at home

except for your wife

and your child on the phone

somebody's got to listen

to a promise or two

oh, this room is far too small

for a pilgrim like you

but you lost them in your freedom

and you need him now you're wild

blessed is the memory

of everybody's child



So now that you've decided

to follow the sun

like a shadow of birds

or a king on the run

oh, your chains are too dark

for the seas you must swim

you're smiling at the seaweed

but your smile is too grim

oh, you lost them in your freedom

you need him now you're wild

blessed is the memory

of everybody's child

blessed is the memory

of everybody's child

blessed is the memory

of everybody's child

Blessed Is The Memory

Leonard Cohen's "Blessed Is The Memory" stands as a poignant reflection within his extensive discography, showcasing the poet-musician's signature blend of melancholy and spiritual introspection. The track captures the essence of Cohen's later songwriting style, where themes of loss, faith, and the passage of time converge in a meditative soundscape. While often associated with his broader body of work that includes anthems like "Hallelujah" and "Bird On The Wire," this recording offers a more intimate glimpse into his artistic evolution. The song's gentle rhythm and lyrical depth invite listeners to contemplate the enduring nature of memory and the quiet grace found in looking back. It remains a significant song in Cohen's catalogue, demonstrating his ability to transform personal sorrow into universal resonance through his distinctive baritone and thoughtful composition.