Lyrics So Long, Marianne

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