Leonard Cohen - Suzanne Lyrics






Suzanne takes you down to her place near the river
You can hear the boats go by
You can spend the night beside her
And you know that she's half crazy
But that's why you want to be there
And she feeds you tea and oranges
That come all the way from China
And just when you mean to tell her
That you have no love to give her
Then she gets you on her wavelength
And she lets the river answer
That you've always been her lover
And you want to travel with her
And you want to travel blind
And you know that she will trust you
For you've touched her perfect body with your mind.
And Jesus was a sailor
When he walked upon the water
And he spent a long time watching
From his lonely wooden tower
And when he knew for certain
Only drowning men could see him
He said "All men will be sailors then
Until the sea shall free them"
But he himself was broken
Long before the sky would open
Forsaken, almost human
He sank beneath your wisdom like a stone
And you want to travel with him
And you want to travel blind
And you think maybe you'll trust him
For he's touched your perfect body with his mind.

Now Suzanne takes your hand
And she leads you to the river
She is wearing rags and feathers
From Salvation Army counters
And the sun pours down like honey
On our lady of the harbour
And she shows you where to look
Among the garbage and the flowers
There are heroes in the seaweed
There are children in the morning
They are leaning out for love
And they will lean that way forever
While Suzanne holds the mirror
And you want to travel with her
And you want to travel blind
And you know that you can trust her
For she's touched your perfect body with her mind.





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Leonard Cohen Suzanne Comments
  1. m.... ....

    the older You get... "You touch her perfect Body... with Your mind..." this Song shows how wonderful it is... :-)

  2. R.... M....

    Like a young Dustin Hoffman!

  3. M.... I....

    my mother had a short affair with cohen..for some days, maybe weeks..in the island of hydra..thats actually a descent way to say "leonard cohen knocked my mam"!..she told me so, when i was 13 and listenig to "dance me to the end of love" ..we didnt have google that time ofcourse (1988) or anything and my idol was john bon jovi .then i saw a picture of Cohen and i said: "you liked THAT??". and she laughed..ofcourse later i grew up and understood that charm and sexuality is more than hair and beauty..will always miss u mum since 2000,this song is especially sad and reminds me of her

  4. M.... X....

    Suzanne not rihanne

  5. D.... K....

    So fucking sweet!

  6. J.... 0....

    "O que arde" 2019

  7. z.... m....

    The morning mum casually said to me Leonard Cohen has died I turned back to my room ,crying alone for a long time. I never found Leonard Cohen, he found me... since that awful morning I mentioned I can't think of him nor listen to him without tears... so I know he has touched me with his mind.

    z.... m....

    my dear , he is doing fine still now , don't worry . immortal never dies, just the dimension changed. he loves you too as u love him.

    z.... m....

    @Mohesh Mohesh Thank you

  8. H.... T....

    Ein Hammer Lied,ein paar Minuten ruhe und vergessen vom Alltag.

    H.... T....

    Besser kann man es nicht beschreiben
    :^)
    Top👍

  9. s.... F....

    Love this song

  10. J.... H....

    if you see the world as restricted then it will be, if you see yourself as potential you can do as you please.

  11. a.... y....

    And you know that she's half-crazy but that's why you want to be there... I love you too

  12. O.... ....

    Hope @R.E.M. ❤️

  13. L.... B....

    Quel talent!

  14. B.... K....

    Thank you for everything you left behind..🙂

  15. I.... E....

    Clara, abbiamo lavato anche i piatti.

  16. m.... n....

    We lack of Susannes in this damned world

  17. M.... d....

    dieser song scheint mir als der "anima"-song der seele des weissen mannes /menschen der westlichen kultur! forever! greatest!

  18. P.... P....

    Deep...the song is deep.

  19. S.... S....

    Quand j'écoute Léonard Cohen je suis hypnotisé

  20. K.... J....

    sad he was ripped off of this song...

  21. 5.... ....

    Dolcissima

  22. T.... D....

    I've made a cover of this song.. Would like to get some feedback 😊 Thanks guys 👍 👍 👍

  23. M.... W....

    974 people ignorant to the work of a great genius

  24. H.... ....

    my mother would sing this to me every night when i was young.

  25. J.... H....

    So long leonard Cohen ❤🕊RIP

  26. S.... K....

    seninle burada karşılaşmayacağız

  27. K.... A....

    It’s a great song. Doesn’t remind me of any dead relatives though. 😂

  28. D.... ....

    Oh....jam

  29. M.... L....

    There's an italian version of the song, by Fabrizio de Andrè, another poet: one of his LP's
    is based upon E.L. Masters' Spoon River's anthology and it is very touching, trust in me.

  30. M.... ....

    Thank you Ahmed negm

  31. I.... ....

    Take any song you choose, with a pitch perfect singer, and amazing musician. There are many. And then try to compare it with someone who couldn't really sing and a song with no complexity, but the greatest lyrics every written.

    I.... ....

    He was a poet, he just put his poetry to music

  32. R.... F....

    My cousin was named after this song... despite my uncle was listening to the version with Neil Diamond, yet it is pure poetry and soft melody!!! Greetings from Brazil!!!

  33. D.... M....

    Rest In Peace Leonard you will always have a place in my heart ❤️

  34. D.... P....

    He's one of AURORA's influences. Imagine how many times she could've listened to this song while dreaming in the forests of Norway. And now she does beautiful music too, just like him.

  35. M.... C....

    @Suzanne Garcia

    Oh my God, this was one of my German-Greek Mother Elisabeth's favourite songs, once we were young, it will never leave me, it makes me cry ... Love is Love is Love.

    Endless love to all the Suzannes in this world!!!

    RIP Elisabeth and Leonard, Christmas-Greetings 2019 to her friend, Fotis Tsiropulos: where are you now?

    Forever and eternally yours, 🦋🙏 🦋 Iris, MCDM

  36. W.... W....

    This was one of my wife's favourite songs when she was in her nursing training, I remember buying the album for her, it was from her that I learned to appreciate Leonard Cohen's music & poetry

    W.... W....

    Nice song gently drifts along,reminds me a bit of Floyd's granchester meadows.

  37. Y.... D....

    Michael corelone

  38. M.... F....

    Suzanne takes you down to her place near the river
    You can hear the boats go by, you can spend the night forever
    And you know that she's half-crazy but that's why you want to be there
    And she feeds you tea and oranges that come all the way from China
    And just when you mean to tell her that you have no love to give her
    Then he gets you on her wavelength
    And she lets the river answer that you've always been her lover

    And you want to travel with her, and you want to travel blind
    And you know that she will trust you
    For you've touched her perfect body with your mind

    And Jesus was a sailor when he walked upon the water
    And he spent a long time watching from his lonely wooden tower
    And when he knew for certain only drowning men could see him
    He said all men…

  39. A.... W....

    SAMANTHA

  40. Y.... D....

    Plan b?

  41. L.... C....

    It's 10'O'clock on a Friday night, Suzanne don't know it but soon she'll die...

  42. k.... ....

    Always wondered why my lady love in my late teens in the late 60's loved this song,,,,, Now as an older person I realize why..

  43. X.... Y....

    Alguén da película “o que arde”?

  44. S.... M....

    I don't understand the deep meaning of this song? Can anyone explain it?

    S.... M....

    I think it is about the desire to love and connect. People search for love in their human relationships and in their religious beliefs. The need to feel the love of another person comes from the same emotional place as the need to feel God's love. We're constantly searching for something/someone to belong to. It might be 'Suzanne' or it might be 'Jesus'. However this longing for connection is always a struggle because life creates many obstacles. But the desire always remains, until the end. Just my take, great poetry is open to many interpretations.

    S.... M....

    @Gilfoyle Shanks good explanations . I like your words, my friend. It touched my heart.

  45. D.... ....

    Alla fragilità di Suzanne <3 ...Chissà se la ritroverò... magari un giorno, in un giardino, nel profumo dei petali di un fiore delicato parlando con un linguaggio incomprensibile se non "senza parole"... "she shows you where to look among the garbage and the flowers..." <3

  46. H.... ....

    my mum used to sing this song to me every night so i could fall asleep

    ps. her name is suzanne too :)

  47. g.... s....

    Actually Suzanne  spent most of her life overmedicated looking out of a drab window.  Forgive me actually I spent most of my life overmedicated looking out of a drab window. Alas such a romantic song.

  48. D.... B....

    Listening to this song and I know what KC was talking about.

  49. J.... ....

    I had some strange dreams the other night when I woke up for some reason I thought of this song but only could remember a few lines as it had been probably 45+ years since I last heard it, a quick search on google brought me here, This song is more beautiful then I ever remembered it and fills one soul with love.

    J.... ....

    Jimbo a testament to a universal consciousness- especially in the musical realm. This song has been on my mind for days...I’ve been sharing it with loved ones. I find it to be one of the most powerfully beautiful songs I have ever heard. The WORDS!

    J.... ....

    I sang this song in a random jam 20 years ago. I didn't know it or had never heard it. I read the lyrics from a record sleeve to some guys making up a tune.
    Tonight me and my wife Suzanne were talking about memorable times in our lives. I remembered singing this all those years ago. Heard it for the 1st time ever tonight.

  50. M.... D....

    Tu nous manque atrocement .quel trou dans ma vie ! Leonard.

  51. B.... ....

    This song influenced Joni Mitchell early on. Her song Marcie is similar.

  52. A.... N....

    On my personal list of the greatest songs ever written and performed.

    A.... N....

    And Now I See I SO AGREE!

  53. S.... K....

    Named after this song too but took to Susan more...also Plan Bs is good

  54. C.... S....

    Pra que pelo menos eu não visse no sorriso dela a mancha do meu mais desgraçado eu

  55. C.... S....

    Eu só queria viajar pra dimensão pretérito do futuro e concertar todas as coisas

  56. U.... T....

    I was high last night when I heard this song and I can swear that I was seeing Suzzane taking me to her locus amoenus. The music plus the lyrics makes a perfect scene, and I can only say that this is art.

  57. M.... R....

    Cohens were always chief priests of Israel; now I understand why....

  58. C.... S....

    Depois, calmo e saudável, sem infantilidades creio que eu posso procurar em outros ceios o carinho. Contudo acaba que são apenas paliativos. E volto a esta música, onde se reinicia o ciclo.

  59. C.... S....

    This song me lembra a época em que eu amei pela única vez, amei contuso, padecido, em perturbação, esdrúxulo da pior maneira. Uma verdadeira patologia. Eu não sabia amar... penso que ainda não sei, and now esse som me abraça e diz; -Está tudo bem!

  60. s.... b....

    Listen this song by Harry belafonte, it will change your LIFE

  61. M.... C....

    SUBLIME

  62. m.... s....

    Has adam sandler always made music?

  63. S.... V....

    I was named for the Lord. Suzanne means Lily or Rose.

  64. Z.... ....

    The difference between poetry set to music and a song is quite profound especially when the aforementioned is conjured by a master of his art.

  65. l.... b....

    i read that my favourite actress, Sharon Tate really likes this song. cheers sharon, hope you and leonard are at peace

  66. H.... H....

    one of the most beautiful songs I have ever ever ever........had the pleasure to hear ! Thank you Leonard as I have seen you in Germany some years ago !

  67. b.... ....

    I love this song.

  68. d.... m....

    Being from Ottawa and he was from Montreal i was lucky enough to see him live half a dozen times, love this and lay lady lay

  69. d.... ....

    :( warum so traurig ?

  70. z.... ....

    I remember watching a documentary about a homeless man from Montreal who knew Leonard Cohen. This man ended up in the west of Canada, in Vancouver, and ultimately in a mental hospital. He needed cash for cigarettes or something, and told the nurses "please call my friend Leonard Cohen and ask him to send me some money". The nurses probably thought he was lying, but they called anyway. Leonard sent this guy some money!
    Not only was he a millionaire songwriter, but he had a huge heart, befriending someone who most of us wouldn't give a minute to. Thank you Leonard Cohen. You were a beautiful soul.

    z.... ....

    Good story

    z.... ....

    He wasn't 'a millionaire songwriter' - His scumbag former manager Kelley Lynch embezzled most of his money. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/apr/19/leonard-cohen-former-manager-jailed

    z.... ....

    let us be inspired by LC life.....it should not surprise you from listening to his music there was no question he would give this man money....

  71. s.... ....

    *they are leaning out for love* /
    *they will lean that way forever*

  72. V.... B....

    You wanna know what a super-hero is ?
    It's someone who doesn't cry listening to this song.
    And I ain't no super-heroe...

    I met a Suzanne.
    Her real name was Virginie.
    And I miss her so much.

  73. J.... j....

    i want to listen it together anymore

    J.... j....

    someone like my comment but
    I still want that he likes it and me :(

  74. A.... t....

    I sing this song to my mum although she knows little English, she loves hearing her name with such beautiful tune.

  75. H.... M....

    🌹❤️🌹❤️🌹❤️🌹❤️🌹❤️🌹💫

  76. S.... P....

    Fun (haunting) fact: This was one of actress Sharon Tate’s favorite songs. Friends recall her humming this song from time to time 😞

  77. M.... H....

    Everytime I hear this I remember the ending of McCabe and Mrs.Miller

  78. A.... K....

    This beautiful song was the first I got to know from him. Ever since, he's been my favourite singer.

  79. N.... L....

    nothing will ever sound this pretty

  80. n.... n....

    sounds like ballad of absent mare.present song took me replays before I grew to like it

  81. A.... A....

    the world needs more music like this.. ♡

  82. j.... b....

    I was listening to this while I listened to what I was listening to while I was listening to this.

  83. N.... Y....

    I like that picture of Leonard Cohen. You can tell by his eyes that he’s seen a lot. At least that’s the impression I got when my friend showed me this song I looked up this video and thought wow he looks like he’s been around a few times! So serious looking

  84. N.... N....

    Love this song, but I think I dont get the real meaning, even If the words are pretty simple. Just learned english in school, who can help? :)

  85. K.... S....

    Love you

  86. F.... L....

    For you've touched her perfect body with your mind

  87. M.... B....

    Un gars de Montréal

  88. P.... B....

    I gazed across the River Jordan to Israel this afternoon....so fitting to be there on the 3rd anniversary of Leonard's passing. There are so many songs of Leonard's I want to listen to today, tomorrow and for the rest of my life.

  89. R.... C....

    I learned to play this song on the guitar. There is no better song to learn from Leonard Cohen. I was in the Navy when I first heard it, in 1972 or 73, ...it was on the soundtrack of the movie "Mccabe and Mrs Miller". The songs that he sang on that sound track so enriched the movie it made me feel like I was there in that snow storm, with the six guns blazing all around that mining town. The cowboys and prostitutes seemed so real. It was done in the days of 35mm film but I'm sure you can find it on DVD. Watch that movie and you will be a Leonard Cohen fan through eternity. From an old sailor, trust me, ..."there are heroes in the sea weed".

  90. G.... H....

    Came upon Leonard Cohen when a life time ago I saw the movie McCabe and Mrs Miller have been a fan ever since.

  91. Z.... M....

    IDEA, NICE,LOVE, ohmmmmmmmmm......................

  92. B.... B....

    Do you want to really blow your mind? Aretha Franklin did a version of this song that was never released but is included on her rare and unreleased recordings album. It actually turned out to be one of my favorite versions of this song and you should look it up because she just does it justice.

  93. Z.... B....

    I'm proud of being named Suzanne

  94. C.... W....

    I only ever knew this as a sample from the song by plan b - Suzanne