Leonard Cohen Poems: poems and songs (Everyman's Library POCKET POETS)

One of the losses in 2016 was the death of Leonard Cohen, although he did reach a good age and was productive to the end with the release of "You want it darker". A set of songs that face death with courage, wit and great insight. In the same year Robert Zimmerman was made a noble prize laureate it is a an opportunity to reconsider was Mr Cohen firstly a poet and secondly a musician. The Everyman's pocket library holds the answer. Yes, his music was good but it is his words which carry his wry spirit. Those of us who first heard Mr Cohen in the early seventies would dissolve into an angst flavoured puddle of misery by droning Suzanne would take you down to the river and feed you oranges and billy tea. And I must confess, I lost interest in him after the magnificent "Songs of Love and Hate". Which was my loss as he went on to craft so many other great pieces of wordsmith-most of which are held within these 243 pages. I look forward to the twenty volume of the collected works of Mr Leonard Cohen, the letters, etc published by Faber. No, he seemed to have been a fan of the wastebasket for creations not good enough to his critical eye. Here in the Everyman you will find the words to all the well known 'songs' and many others which are a delight to revisit such as the poignant "Dance me to the End of the World" and the caustic "Queen Victoria and Me" from the under-rated "live songs'. A dip into book that is beautiful, humorous, moving and insightful. Vale poet Cohen.

This is a delightful book in every sense of the word. Small but beautifully formed. A collection of poetic word by the premier lyricist of a generation. I adore Leonard Cohen. He has shared his eloquent art with us for lifetimes. " History is a needle for putting men to sleep anointed with the poison of all they want to keep " ( from On Hearing A Name Long Unspoken ) Songs like Suzanne, Bird On A Wire, All The Sisters Of Mercy, So Long Marianne, Who By Fire, Chelsea Hotel and Hallelujah are included in this " must have " collection of heart wrenching words by a true genius, plying his trade with his own unique brand of honesty, humour and passion. I have many other Leonard Cohen books ( and all of his recordings ) but this wonderfully designed wee " Carry with you " publication is my favourite.

Never liked Leonard Cohen's voice, so didn't listen to the lyrics. Recently I did get to read some of his poetry and lyrics and realised what I've been missing, so was pleased to find this book.

Very nice some are very deep but interesting.

The book was missing the jacket cover but otherwise I was very pleased with it. It was a present for a friend and was in good condition.

Bought as a gift. This is a delightful little book. Especially if you’re a fan.

An excellently sized, yet well stocked compendium of Lyrics and Poems from the Master. Much better that the Stranger Music book from 1993 in size as well as being updated to included the newer songs. It also doesn't have as much white around the text! This is an excellent purchase which I will enjoy reading again and again.

So I purchased this book of poems in january 2014. Some of them are lyrics for some of the songs in the collection 'the Essential Leonard Cohen' that I bought previously. But I find when reading the poems I do not read them a if they are words set to music but as poems that are perfect in their own right. There are also poems that are not the lyrics of songs. All wonderfully profound and enriching. What a wonderful talent. Rest in peace- you have given us so very very much.

Sehr informative Lyrik. Rascher Versand

If you're a Leonard Cohen fan then this book is a very comprehensive collection of his song lyrics and poetry. It's great because it fits in a carry-on or coat pocket to enjoy most anywhere. Leonard Cohen's poetry and lyrics are, for the uninitiated, very realistic and 'mature' compared to youthful crooning love songs or poems that cause one to dream in doodle bubble hearts. Leonard Cohen's poems make you feel that you've been punched in the solar plexus and can't catch your breath, yet, if you are not a love-struck child and you have loved and lost, or longed for someone you can't reach or have been down on your luck, you will know exactly what he's talking about! He wrote the lyrics to 'Hallelujah', which has been extensively covered, however, I do recommend you look it up and listen to Mr. Cohen sing it if you haven't before. The collection itself is very complete for a small book and feels very readable, with a build-in bookmark and classy color theme so you look the part as you read. You can almost hear his impossibly deep, slow voice as you read this collection. I don't know if his work is for everyone, but like most aesthetics, he has a 'certain something' that will draw you in. He makes you feel hopeless and understood, isolated yet with at least one companion who knows and has seen more than you ever could. Previously I had heard his more popular songs, but his poetry is visceral, with a slow, deep pulse.

Questo libretto, che penso parecchio noto in America del Nord, in Inghilterra e in altri paesi scandinavi, mi è piaciuto molto. Ho incontrato i primi dischi di canzoni di L. Cohen quando, giovane studentessa, ero negli Stati Uniti. Li ho persi quando ho saputo che l’autore si era ritirato in un monastero buddista zen. Purtroppo ho ritrovato solo ora Cohen e i suoi dischi più recenti. Il piccolo libro è una raccolta scelta di sue poesie e sue canzoni (non tutte, ovviamente) fino ad alcuni brani di “Old Ideas”: belle entrambe. Sta in tasca, ha pagine sottili, è facile rintracciare un brano o dall’indice iniziale o dal primo verso. Un amico mi ha chiesto cosa contraddistingue le liriche o le canzoni di L. Cohen da altre, così da diventare un oggetto “cult”: forse la semplicità unita alla concisione; l’affrontare temi del singolo individuo, ma generali; certamente l’aura poetica della sua musica e delle sue parole; l’ironia non è mai assente. Spero che possa essere completato con gli ultimi brani: certamente in questo caso lo ricomprerò.

Abit drawn out and depressing. Im a big fan of Cohen..but sadly,not really worth buying.

Me gustan mucho los poemas de Cohen. Este libro hace una buena selección de ellos.