The night comes

I went down to the place

Where I knew she lay waiting

Under the marble and the snow

I said, Mother I'm frightened

The thunder and the lightning

I'll never come through this alone

She said, I'll be with you

My shawl wrapped around you

My hand on your head when you go

And the night came on

It was very calm

I wanted the night to go on and on

But she said, Go back to the World

We were fighting in Egypt

When they signed this agreement

That nobody else had to die

There was this terrible sound

And my father went down

With a terrible wound in his side

He said, Try to go on

Take my books, take my gun

Remember, my son, how they lied

And the night comes on

It's very calm

I'd like to pretend that my father was wrong

But you don't want to lie, not to the young

We were locked in this kitchen

I took to religion

And I wondered how long she would stay

I needed so much

To have nothing to touch

I've always been greedy that way

But my son and my daughter

Climbed out of the water

Crying, Papa, you promised to play

And they lead me away

To the great surprise

It's Papa, don't peek, Papa, cover your eyes

And they hide, they hide in the World

Now I look for her always

I'm lost in this calling

I'm tied to the threads of some prayer

Saying, When will she summon me

When will she come to me

What must I do to prepare

When she bends to my longing

Like a willow, like a fountain

She stands in the luminous air

And the night comes on

And it's very calm

I lie in her arms and says, When I'm gone

I'll be yours, yours for a song

Now the crickets are singing

The vesper bells ringing

The cat's curled asleep in his chair

I'll go down to Bill's Bar

I can make it that far

And I'll see if my friends are still there

Yes, and here's to the few

Who forgive what you do

And the fewer who don't even care

And the night comes on

It's very calm

I want to cross over, I want to go home

But she says, Go back, go back to the World

If It will be your will

If it be your will

That I speak no more

And my voice be still

As it was before

I will speak no more

I shall abide until

I am spoken for

If it be your will

If it be your will

That a voice be true

From this broken hill

I will sing to you

From this broken hill

All your praises they shall ring

If it be your will

To let me sing

From this broken hill

All your praises they shall ring

If it be your will

To let me sing

If it be your will

If there is a choice

Let the rivers fill

Let the hills rejoice

Let your mercy spill

On all these burning hearts in hell

If it be your will

To make us well

And draw us near

And bind us tight

All your children here

In their rags of light

In our rags of light

All dressed to kill

And end this night

If it be your will

If it be your will

Hallelujah

It's true that all the men you knew were dealers

who said they were through with dealing

Every time you gave them shelter

I know that kind of man

It's hard to hold the hand of anyone

who is reaching for the sky just to surrender,

who is reaching for the sky just to surrender.

And then sweeping up the jokers that he left behind

you find he did not leave you very much

not even laughter

Like any dealer he was watching for the card

that is so high and wild

he'll never need to deal another

He was just some Joseph looking for a manger

He was just some Joseph looking for a manger

And then leaning on your window sill

he'll say one day you caused his will

to weaken with your love and warmth and shelter

And then taking from his wallet

an old schedule of trains, he'll say

I told you when I came I was a stranger

I told you when I came I was a stranger.

But now another stranger seems

to want you to ignore his dreams

as though they were the burden of some other

O you've seen that man before

his golden arm dispatching cards

but now it's rusted from the elbows to the finger

And he wants to trade the game he plays for shelter

Yes he wants to trade the game he knows for shelter.

Ah you hate to see another tired man

lay down his hand

like he was giving up the holy game of poker

And while he talks his dreams to sleep

you notice there's a highway

that is curling up like smoke above his shoulder.

It is curling just like smoke above his shoulder.

You tell him to come in sit down

but something makes you turn around

The door is open you can't close your shelter

You try the handle of the road

It opens do not be afraid

It's you my love, you who are the stranger

It's you my love, you who are the stranger.

Well, I've been waiting, I was sure

we'd meet between the trains we're waiting for

I think it's time to board another

Please understand, I never had a secret chart

to get me to the heart of this

or any other matter

When he talks like this

you don't know what he's after

When he speaks like this,

you don't know what he's after.

Let's meet tomorrow if you choose

upon the shore, beneath the bridge

that they are building on some endless river

Then he leaves the platform

for the sleeping car that's warm

You realize, he's only advertising one more shelter

And it comes to you, he never was a stranger

And you say ok the bridge or someplace later.

And then sweeping up the jokers that he left behind ...

And leaning on your window sill ...

I told you when I came I was a stranger.

The stranger

It's true that all the men you knew were dealers

who said they were through with dealing

Every time you gave them shelter

I know that kind of man

It's hard to hold the hand of anyone

who is reaching for the sky just to surrender,

who is reaching for the sky just to surrender.

And then sweeping up the jokers that he left behind

you find he did not leave you very much

not even laughter

Like any dealer he was watching for the card

that is so high and wild

he'll never need to deal another

He was just some Joseph looking for a manger

He was just some Joseph looking for a manger

And then leaning on your window sill

he'll say one day you caused his will

to weaken with your love and warmth and shelter

And then taking from his wallet

an old schedule of trains, he'll say

I told you when I came I was a stranger

I told you when I came I was a stranger.

But now another stranger seems

to want you to ignore his dreams

as though they were the burden of some other

O you've seen that man before

his golden arm dispatching cards

but now it's rusted from the elbows to the finger

And he wants to trade the game he plays for shelter

Yes he wants to trade the game he knows for shelter.

Ah you hate to see another tired man

lay down his hand

like he was giving up the holy game of poker

And while he talks his dreams to sleep

you notice there's a highway

that is curling up like smoke above his shoulder.

It is curling just like smoke above his shoulder.

You tell him to come in sit down

but something makes you turn around

The door is open you can't close your shelter

You try the handle of the road

It opens do not be afraid

It's you my love, you who are the stranger

It's you my love, you who are the stranger.

Well, I've been waiting, I was sure

we'd meet between the trains we're waiting for

I think it's time to board another

Please understand, I never had a secret chart

to get me to the heart of this

or any other matter

When he talks like this

you don't know what he's after

When he speaks like this,

you don't know what he's after.

Let's meet tomorrow if you choose

upon the shore, beneath the bridge

that they are building on some endless river

Then he leaves the platform

for the sleeping car that's warm

You realize, he's only advertising one more shelter

And it comes to you, he never was a stranger

And you say ok the bridge or someplace later.

And then sweeping up the jokers that he left behind ...

And leaning on your window sill ...

I told you when I came I was a stranger.

Take this longing

Many men have loved the bells

you fastened to the rein,

and everyone who wanted you

they found what they will always want again.

Your beauty lost to you yourself

just as it was lost to them.

Oh take this longing from my tongue,

whatever useless things these hands have done.

Let me see your beauty broken down

like you would do for one you love.

Your body like a searchlight

my poverty revealed,

I would like to try your charity

until you cry, "Now you must try my greed."

And everything depends upon

how near you sleep to me

Just take this longing from my tongue

all the lonely things my hands have done.

Let me see your beauty broken down

like you would do for one you love.

Hungry as an archway

through which the troops have passed,

I stand in ruins behind you,

with your winter clothes, your broken sandal straps.

I love to see you naked over there

especially from the back.

Oh take this longing from my tongue,

all the useless things my hands have done,

untie for me your hired blue gown,

like you would do for one that you love.

You're faithful to the better man,

I'm afraid that he left.

So let me judge your love affair

in this very room where I have sentenced

mine to death.

I'll even wear these old laurel leaves

that he's shaken from his head.

Just take this longing from my tongue,

all the useless things my hands have done,

let me see your beauty broken down,

like you would do for one you love.

Like you would do for one you love.

Who by Fire

And who by fire, who by water,

who in the sunshine, who in the night time,

who by high ordeal, who by common trial,

who in your merry merry month of may,

who by very slow decay,

and who shall I say is calling?

And who in her lonely slip, who by barbiturate,

who in these realms of love, who by something blunt,

and who by avalanche, who by powder,

who for his greed, who for his hunger,

and who shall I say is calling?

And who by brave assent, who by accident,

who in solitude, who in this mirror,

who by his lady's command, who by his own hand,

who in mortal chains, who in power,

and who shall I say is calling?

Chelsea Hotel #2

I remember you

well in the Chelsea Hotel,

you were talking so brave and so sweet,

giving me head on the unmade bed,

while the limousines wait in the street.

Those were the reasons and that was New York,

we were running for the money and the flesh.

And that was called love for the workers in song

probably still is for those of them left.

Ah but you got away, didn't you babe,

you just turned your back on the crowd,

you got away, I never once heard you say,

I need you, I don't need you,

I need you, I don't need you

and all of that jiving around.

I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel

you were famous, your heart was a legend.

You told me again you preferred handsome men

but for me you would make an exception.

And clenching your fist for the ones like us

who are oppressed by the figures of beauty,

you fixed yourself, you said, "Well never mind,

we are ugly but we have the music."

And then you got away, didn't you babe...

I don't mean to suggest that I loved you the best,

I can't keep track of each fallen robin.

I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel,

that's all, I don't even think of you that often.

Last Year's Man

The rain falls down on last year's man,

that's a jew's harp on the table,

that's a crayon in his hand.

And the corners of the blueprint are ruined since they rolled

far past the stems of thumbtacks

that still throw shadows on the wood.

And the skylight is like skin for a drum I'll never mend

and all the rain falls down amen

on the works of last year's man.

I met a lady, she was playing with her soldiers in the dark

oh one by one she had to tell them

that her name was Joan of Arc.

I was in that army, yes I stayed a little while;

I want to thank you, Joan of Arc,

for treating me so well.

And though I wear a uniform I was not born to fight;

all these wounded boys you lie beside,

goodnight, my friends, goodnight.

I came upon a wedding that old families had contrived;

Bethlehem the bridegroom,

Babylon the bride.

Great Babylon was naked, oh she stood there trembling for me,

and Bethlehem inflamed us both

like the shy one at some orgy.

And when we fell together all our flesh was like a veil

that I had to draw aside to see

the serpent eat its tail.

Some women wait for Jesus, and some women wait for Cain

so I hang upon my altar

and I hoist my axe again.

And I take the one who finds me back to where it all began

when Jesus was the honeymoon

and Cain was just the man.

And we read from pleasant Bibles that are bound in blood and skin

that the wilderness is gathering

all its children back again.

The rain falls down on last year's man,

an hour has gone by

and he has not moved his hand.

But everything will happen if he only gives the word;

the lovers will rise up

and the mountains touch the ground.

But the skylight is like skin for a drum I'll never mend

and all the rain falls down amen

on the works of last year's man.

Famous Blue Raincoat

It's four in the morning, the end of December

I'm writing you now just to see if you're better

New York is cold, but I like where I'm living

There's music on Clinton Street all through the evening.

I hear that you're building your little house deep in the desert

You're living for nothing now, I hope you're keeping some kind of record.

Yes, and Jane came by with a lock of your hair

She said that you gave it to her

That night that you planned to go clear

Did you ever go clear?

Ah, the last time we saw you you looked so much older

Your famous blue raincoat was torn at the shoulder

You'd been to the station to meet every train

And you came home without Lili Marlene

And you treated my woman to a flake of your life

And when she came back she was nobody's wife.

Well I see you there with the rose in your teeth

One more thin gypsy thief

Well I see Jane's awake --

She sends her regards.

And what can I tell you my brother, my killer

What can I possibly say?

I guess that I miss you, I guess I forgive you

I'm glad you stood in my way.

If you ever come by here, for Jane or for me

Your enemy is sleeping, and his woman is free.

Yes, and thanks, for the trouble you took from her eyes

I thought it was there for good so I never tried.

And Jane came by with a lock of your hair

She said that you gave it to her

That night that you planned to go clear --

Sincerely, L. Cohen

Hey, that's not the way to say goodbye

I loved you in the morning, our kisses deep and warm,

your hair upon the pillow like a sleepy golden storm,

yes, many loved before us, I know that we are not new,

in city and in forest they smiled like me and you,

but now it's come to distances and both of us must try,

your eyes are soft with sorrow,

Hey, that's no way to say goodbye.

I'm not looking for another as I wander in my time,

walk me to the corner, our steps will always rhyme

you know my love goes with you as your love stays with me,

it's just the way it changes, like the shoreline and the sea,

but let's not talk of love or chains and things we can't untie,

your eyes are soft with sorrow,

Hey, that's no way to say goodbye.

I loved you in the morning, our kisses deep and warm,

your hair upon the pillow like a sleepy golden storm,

yes many loved before us, I know that we are not new,

in city and in forest they smiled like me and you,

but let's not talk of love or chains and things we can't untie,

your eyes are soft with sorrow,

Hey, that's no way to say goodbye.

The Partisan

When they poured across the border

I was cautioned to surrender,

this I could not do;

I took my gun and vanished.

I have changed my name so often,

I've lost my wife and children

but I have many friends,

and some of them are with me.

An old woman gave us shelter,

kept us hidden in the garret,

then the soldiers came;

she died without a whisper.

There were three of us this morning

I'm the only one this evening

but I must go on;

the frontiers are my prison.

Oh, the wind, the wind is blowing,

through the graves the wind is blowing,

freedom soon will come;

then we'll come from the shadows.

Les Allemands étaient chez moi, [The Germans were at my home]

ils me dirent, resigne-toi, [they told me to surrender]

mais je n'ai pas pu; [but I could not do]

j'ai repris mon arme. [I have retaken my weapon.]

J'ai changé cent fois de nom, [I have changed names a hundred times]

j'ai perdu femme et enfants [I have lost wife and children]

mais j'ai tant d'amis; [but I have so many friends]

j'ai la France entière. [I have entire France]

Un vieil homme dans un grenier [An old man in an attic]

pour la nuit nous a caché, [kept us hidden for the night]

les Allemands l'ont pris; [the Germans took him]

il est mort sans supplice. [he died without agony.]

Oh, the wind, the wind is blowing,

through the graves the wind is blowing,

freedom soon will come;

then we'll come from the shadows.

Lady Midnight

I came by myself to a very crowded place;

I was looking for someone who had lines in her face.

I found her there but she was past all concern;

I asked her to hold me, I said, "Lady, unfold me,"

but she scorned me and she told me

I was dead and I could never return.

Well, I argued all night like so many have before,

saying, "Whatever you give me, I seem to need so much more."

Then she pointed at me where I kneeled on her floor,

she said, "Don't try to use me or slyly refuse me,

just win me or lose me,

it is this that the darkness is for."

I cried, "Oh, Lady Midnight, I fear that you grow old,

the stars eat your body and the wind makes you cold."

"If we cry now," she said, "it will just be ignored."

So I walked through the morning, sweet early morning,

I could hear my lady calling,

"You've won me, you've won me, my lord,

you've won me, you've won me, my lord,

yes, you've won me, you've won me, my lord,

ah, you've won me, you've won me, my lord,

ah, you've won me, you've won me, my lord."

Bird on the wire

Like a bird on the wire,

like a drunk in a midnight choir

I have tried in my way to be free.

Like a worm on a hook,

like a knight from some old fashioned book

I have saved all my ribbons for thee.

If I, if I have been unkind,

I hope that you can just let it go by.

If I, if I have been untrue

I hope you know it was never to you.

Like a baby, stillborn,

like a beast with his horn

I have torn everyone who reached out for me.

But I swear by this song

and by all that I have done wrong

I will make it all up to thee.

I saw a beggar leaning on his wooden crutch,

he said to me, "You must not ask for so much."

And a pretty woman leaning in her darkened door,

she cried to me, "Hey, why not ask for more?"

Oh like a bird on the wire,

like a drunk in a midnight choir

I have tried in my way to be free.

So long Marianne

Come over to the window, my little darling,

I'd like to try to read your palm.

I used to think I was some kind of Gypsy boy

before I let you take me home.

Now so long, Marianne, it's time that we began

to laugh and cry and cry and laugh about it all again.

Well you know that I love to live with you,

but you make me forget so very much.

I forget to pray for the angels

and then the angels forget to pray for us.

Now so long, Marianne, it's time that we began ...

We met when we were almost young

deep in the green lilac park.

You held on to me like I was a crucifix,

as we went kneeling through the dark.

Oh so long, Marianne, it's time that we began ...

Your letters they all say that you're beside me now.

Then why do I feel alone?

I'm standing on a ledge and your fine spider web

is fastening my ankle to a stone.

Now so long, Marianne, it's time that we began ...

For now I need your hidden love.

I'm cold as a new razor blade.

You left when I told you I was curious,

I never said that I was brave.

Oh so long, Marianne, it's time that we began ...

Oh, you are really such a pretty one.

I see you've gone and changed your name again.

And just when I climbed this whole mountainside,

to wash my eyelids in the rain!

Oh so long, Marianne, it's time that we began ...

Sisters of Mercy

Oh the sisters of mercy, they are not departed or gone.

They were waiting for me when I thought that I just can't go on.

And they brought me their comfort and later they brought me this song.

Oh I hope you run into them, you who've been travelling so long.

Yes you who must leave everything that you cannot control.

It begins with your family, but soon it comes around to your soul.

Well I've been where you're hanging, I think I can see how you're pinned:

When you're not feeling holy, your loneliness says that you've sinned.

Well they lay down beside me, I made my confession to them.

They touched both my eyes and I touched the dew on their hem.

If your life is a leaf that the seasons tear off and condemn

they will bind you with love that is graceful and green as a stem.

When I left they were sleeping, I hope you run into them soon.

Don't turn on the lights, you can read their address by the moon.

And you won't make me jealous if I hear that they sweetened your night:

We weren't lovers like that and besides it would still be all right,

We weren't lovers like that and besides it would still be all right.

Votre fille a vingt ans

Votre fille a vingt ans, que le temps passe vite

Madame, hier encore elle était si petite

Et ses premiers tourments sont vos premières rides

Madame, et vos premiers soucis

Chacun de ses vingt ans pour vous a compté double

Vous connaissiez déjà tout ce qu'elle découvre

Vous avez oublié les choses qui la troublent

Madame, et vous troublaient aussi

On la trouvait jolie et voici qu'elle est belle

Pour un individu presque aussi jeune qu'elle

Un garçon qui ressemble à celui pour lequel

Madame, vous aviez embelli

Ils se font un jardin d'un coin de mauvaise herbe

Nouant la fleur de l'âge en un bouquet superbe

Il y a bien longtemps qu'on vous a mise en gerbes

Madame, le printemps vous oublie

Chaque nuit qui vous semble à chaque nuit semblable

Pendant que vous rêvez vos rêves raisonnables

De plaisir et d'amour ils se rendent coupables

Madame, au creux du même lit

Mais coupables jamais n'ont eu tant d'innocence

Aussi peu de regrets et tant d'insouciance

Qu'ils ne demandent même pas votre indulgence

Madame, pour leurs tendres délits

Jusqu'au jour où peut-être à la première larme

A la première peine d'amour et de femme

Il ne tiendra qu'à vous de sourire Madame

Madame, pour qu'elle vous sourie...

Ma liberté

Ma liberté

Longtemps je t'ai gardée

Comme une perle rare

Ma liberté

C'est toi qui m'a aidé

A larguer les amarres

Pour aller n'importe où

Pour aller jusqu'au bout

Des chemins de fortune

Pour cueillir en rêvant

Une rose des vents

Sur un rayon de lune

Ma liberté

Devant tes volontés

Mon âme était soumise

Ma liberté

Je t'avais tout donné

Ma dernière chemise

Et combien j'ai souffert

Pour pouvoir satisfaire

Toutes tes exigences

J'ai changé de pays

J'ai perdu mes amis

Pour gagner ta confiance

Ma liberté

Tu as su désarmer

Toutes Mes habitudes

Ma liberté

Toi qui m'a fait aimer

Même la solitude

Toi qui m'as fait sourire

Quand je voyais finir

Une belle aventure

Toi qui m'as protégé

Quand j'allais me cacher

Pour soigner mes blessures

Ma liberté

Pourtant je t'ai quittée

Une nuit de décembre

J'ai déserté

Et pourtant dans le monde

Que tout ça ne sers à rien que ce n’est pas encore pour demain

Et pourtant dans le monde d’autre voix me répondent

Et pourtant dans le monde

Tu me diras que j’ai tort de rêver en croyant vivre la réalité

Qu’il faut rester les yeux ouverts et regarder tout ce qui va de travers

Et pourtant dans le monde d’autre voix me répondent

Et pourtant dans le monde

Tu me diras que j’ai tort de crier et de clamer mes quatre vérités

Qui vaut mieux se taire ou mentir surtout savoir garder le sourire

Et pourtant dans le monde d’autre voix me répondent

Et pourtant dans le monde

Tu me diras que j’ai tort de parler de l’amour comme s’il existait

Qu’il ne s’agit que d’un mirage d’une illusion qui n'est plus de mon âge

Et pourtant dans le monde d’autre voix me réponde

Et pourtant dans le monde

Tu me diras que j’ai tort ou raison ça ne me fera pas changer de chanson

Je te la donne comme elle est tu pourras en faire ce qui te plaît

Et pourtant dans le monde d’autre voix me répondent

Et pourtant dans le monde...

Sarah

La femme qui est dans mon lit

N'a plus 20 ans depuis longtemps

Les yeux cernés

Par les années

Par les amours

Au jour le jour

La bouche usée

Par les baisers

Trop souvent, mais

Trop mal donnés

Le teint blafard

Malgré le fard

Plus pâle qu'une

Tâche de lune

La femme qui est dans mon lit

N'a plus 20 ans depuis longtemps

Les seins si lourds

De trop d'amour

Ne portent pas

Le nom d'appas

Le corps lassé

Trop caressé

Trop souvent, mais

Trop mal aimé

Le dos vouté

Semble porter

Des souvenirs

Qu'elle a dû fuir

La femme qui est dans mon lit

N'a plus 20 ans depuis longtemps

Ne riez pas

N'y touchez pas

Gardez vos larmes

Et vos sarcasmes

Lorsque la nuit

Nous réunit

Son corps, ses mains

S'offrent aux miens

Et c'est son coeur

Couvert de pleurs

Et de blessures

Qui me rassure

Joseph

Voilà c'que c'est, mon vieux Joseph Que d'avoir pris la plus jolie Parmi les filles de Galilée, Celle qu'on appelait Marie. Tu aurais pu, mon vieux Joseph, Prendre Sarah ou Déborah Et rien ne serait arrivé, Mais tu as préféré Marie. Tu aurais pu, mon vieux Joseph, Rester chez toi, tailler ton bois Plutôt que d'aller t'exiler Et te cacher avec Marie. Tu aurais pu, mon vieux Joseph, Faire des petits avec Marie Et leur apprendre ton métier Comme ton père te l'avait appris. Pourquoi a-t-il fallu, Joseph, Que ton enfant, cet innocent, Ait eu ces étranges idées Qui ont tant fait pleurer Marie ? Parfois je pense à toi, Joseph, Mon pauvre ami, lorsque l'on rit De toi qui n'avais demandé Qu'à vivre heureux avec Marie

Un jour tu es parti

Un jour tu es parti sous terre ou dans le ciel

Pour goûter au repos que l'on dit éternel

Rejoindre les copains qui t'avaient précédé

Et courtiser les muses de l'autre côté.

Et nous sommes restés gros Jean comme devant

Nous tous qui nous sentions pareils à des enfants.

Qui auraient grandi à l'ombre de ta moustache

Tu nous avais appris à crier : « mort aux vaches ! »

Sur un air de guitare et sans mâcher les mots,

Et surtout à être bons pour les animaux.

Au refrain

Au bord de notre mer Méditerrannée

Tu reposes là où jadis tu étais né

Et je soupçonne que tu ne dors que d'un œil

Pour regarder passer quelque vestale en deuil

Que le vent déshabille d'un geste fripon

Comme pout te montrer l'envers de ses jupons.

Au refrain

Ils ont fait ton éloge et célébré tes vers

Ils ont failli te faire porter l'habit vert

Et à titre posthume ils sont encore capables

De faire de toi un poète respectable

Toi qui ne respectais pas grand chose avoue-le

Et suivais simplement une autre route qu'eux.

Au refrain

Voici que moi aussi je viens faire un discours

Pardonne-moi de ne pas le faire plus court

Et si tu peux m'entendre depuis l'au-delà

Continue je t'en prie de nous donner le “la”

Raconte-nous comment ça se passe là-bas

Si tu t'y plais au point de n'en revenir pas.

Au refrain

…Rejoindre les copains qui t'avaient précédé

Et courtiser les muses de l'autre côté.

La ligne droite

Je ne t'attends pas au bout d'une ligne droite

Je sais qu'il faudra faire encore des détours

Et voir passer encore des jours et des jours

Mais sans que rien ne vienne éteindre notre hâte

Il pleut chez toi, chez moi le soleil est de plomb

Quand pourrons-nous enfin marier nos saisons

Quand pourrons-nous rentrer ensemble à la maison

Nous avons le temps, mais pourquoi est-ce si long

Mes habits ont parfois des traces de poussière

Et le parfum fané des amours passagères

Qui m'ont rendu ma solitude plus légère

A l'aube de mes nuits blanches et solitaires

Et toi mon bel amour, dis moi s'il y a des hommes

Qui t'ont rendu la vie un peu moins monotone

Qui t'aident à supporter l'hiver après l'automne

Et les silences obstinés du téléphone

Nous nous raconterons nos triomphes, nos fêtes

Mais comment s'avouer toutes nos défaites

L'angoisse qui nous tient, l'angoisse qui nous guette

Et s'accroche à chaque pensée, à chaque geste

Je sais que tu seras au bout de mes voyages

Je sais que tu viendras malgré tous les détours

Nous dormirons ensemble et nous ferons l'amour

Dans un monde réinventé à notre image

La carte du tendre

Le long du fleuve qui remonte

Par les rives de la rencontre

Aux sources d'émerveillement

On voit dans le jour qui se lève

S'ouvrir tout un pays de rêve

Le tendre pays des amants

On part avec le œcœur qui tremble

Du bonheur de partir ensemble

Sans savoir ce qui nous attend

Ainsi commence le voyage

Semé d'écueils et de mirages

De l'amour et de ses tourments

Quelques torrents de médisance

Viennent déchirer le silence

Essayant de tout emporter

Et puis on risque le naufrage

Lorsque le vent vous mène au large

Des îles d'infidélité

Plus loin le courant vous emporte

Vers les rochers de la discorde

Et du mal à se supporter

Enfin la terre se dénude

C'est le désert de l'habitude

L'ennui y a tout dévasté

Quand la route paraît trop longue

Il y a l'escale du mensonge

L'auberge de la jalousie

On y déjeune de rancune

Et l'on s'enivre d'amertume

L'orgueil vous y tient compagnie

Mais quand tout semble à la dérive

Le fleuve roule son eau vive

Et l'on repart à l'infini

Où l'on découvre au bord du Tendre

Le jardin où l'on peut s'étendre

La terre promise de l'oubli

Le facteur

(Parlé)
Le jeune facteur est mort.
Il n'avait que dix-sept ans.
Tout est fini pour nous deux maintenant.
(Chanté)
L'amour ne peut voyager.
Il a perdu son messager.

C'est lui qui venait, chaque jour,
Les bras chargés de tous mes mots d'amour.
C'est lui qui portait dans ses mains
La fleur d'amour cueillie dans ton jardin.

Il est parti dans le ciel bleu,
Comme un oiseau enfin libre et heureux
Et quand son âme l'a quitté,
Un rossignol, quelque part, a chanté.

Je t'aime autant que je t'aimais
Mais je ne peux le dire, désormais.
Il a emporté avec lui
Les derniers mots que j'avais écrits.

Il n'ira plus sur les chemins
Fleuris de rose et de jasmin
Qui mènent jusqu'à ta maison.
L'amour ne peut plus voyager.
Il a perdu son messager
Et mon coeur est comme en prison...

Il est parti, l'adolescent
Qui t'apportait mes joies et mes tourments.
L'hiver a tué le printemps.
Tout est fini pour nous deux maintenant.

Song for the asking

Here is my song for the asking Ask me and I will play So sweetly, I’ll make you smile This is my tune for the taking Take it, don’t turn away I’ve been waiting all my life Thinking it over, I’ve been sad Thinking it over, I’d be more than glad To change my ways for the asking Ask me and I will play All the love that I hold inside

Why don't you write me

Why don’t you write me? I’m out in the jungle I’m hungry to hear you Send me a card I’m waiting so hard To be near you Why don’t you write? Something is wrong And I know I got to be there Maybe I’m lost But I can’t make the cost Of the airfare Tell me why, why, why Tell me why, why, why Why don’t you write m? A letter would brighten My loneliest evening Mail it today If it’s only to say That you’re leaving me Monday morning, sitting in the sun Hoping and wishing for the mail to come Tuesday, never got a word Wednesday, Thursday ain’t no sign Drank a half a bottle of iodine Friday, woe is me I’m gonna hang my body from the highest tree Why don’t you write me? Why don’t you write me?