So Long, Marianne was written by Leonard Cohen about his relationship with Marianne Ihlen, whom he met on the Greek island of Hydra in the 1960s. Marianne and Leonard had a love affair for several years, and she inspired many of his songs. The song reflects on the impermanent nature of love and life, serving as a poetic goodbye to his muse.
Key: A
A
Bm
Come over to the window, my little darling
D
A
I'd like to try to read your palm
G
D
I used to think I was some kind of gypsy boy
F#m
E
E4
E
E7
before I let you take me home
A
F#m
Now so long, Marianne, It's time that we began
E
E4
E
E7
E
E4
E
E7
A
A4
to laugh and cry and cry and laugh about it all again
A
Bm
Well you know that I love to live with you
D
A
but you make me forget so very much
G
D
I forget to pray for the angels
F#m
E4
E
E7
and then the angels forget to pray for us
A
F#m
Now so long, Marianne, It's time that we began
E
E4
E
E7
E
E4
E
E7
A
A4
to laugh and cry and cry and laugh about it all again
A
Bm
We met when we were almost young
D
A
deep in the green Lilac park
G
D
You held on to me like I was a crucifix
F#m
E
E4
E
E7
as we went kneeling through the dark
A
F#m
Oh so long, Marianne, It's time that we began
E
E4
E
E7
E
E4
E
E7
A
A4
to laugh and cry and cry and laugh about it all again
A
Bm
Your letters they all say that you're beside me now
D
A
then why do I feel alone
G
D
I'm standing on a ledge and your fine spider web
F#m
E
E4
E
E7
is fastening my ankle to a stone
A
F#m
Now so long, Marianne, It's time that we began
E
E4
E
E7
E
E4
E
E7
A
A4
to laugh and cry and cry and laugh about it all again
A
Bm
For now I need your hidden love
D
A
I'm cold as a new razor blade
G
D
You left when I told you I was curious
F#m
E
E4
E
E7
I never said that I was brave
A
F#m
Oh so long, Marianne, It's time that we began
E
E4
E
E7
E
E4
E
E7
A
A4
to laugh and cry and cry and laugh about it all again
A
Bm
Oh, you are really such a pretty one
D
A
I see you've gone and changed your name again
G
D
And just when I climbed this whole mountainside
F#m
E
E4
E
E7
to wash my eye__lids in the rain
A
F#m
Oh so long, Marianne, It's time that we began
E
E4
E
E7
E
E4
E
E7
A
A4
to laugh and cry and cry and laugh about it all again