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.
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 to laugh and cry and cry and laugh about it all again
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 to laugh and cry and cry and laugh about it all again
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 to laugh and cry and cry and laugh about it all again
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 to laugh and cry and cry and laugh about it all again
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 eye__lids in the rain
Oh so long, Marianne, It's time that we began to laugh and cry and cry and laugh about it all again Oh, your eyes, well, I forget your eyes your body's at home in every sea How come you gave away your news to everyone When you said it was a secret just for me