Guest guest Posted January 19, 2012 Report Share Posted January 19, 2012 I don't think I understood it, but when the female backing vocals came in near the end I felt so uplifted. It felt that my time had come for me to go home and find peace, love, my family, and my and all my old friends again. A lovely song. Thanks Detlef, Going Home: Kv >> "Going Home"> > by Leonard Cohen> > Words at:> > http://www.newyorker.com/fiction/poetry/2012/01/23/120123po_poem_cohen> > There's also a link to LC speaking the words to music.> > The old bastard's still got it -- whatever 'it' is.> > > Detlef> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2012 Report Share Posted January 19, 2012 Thanks, Kaivey.I find that with all good poetry the poet paints a picture that suggests a personal as well as a universal truth. Ever the wry one, Cohen gives a wink and a nudge that all is not as it seems in the world he, and we, inhabit.His words seem redolent of both ACT's 'observing' self and 'thinking self', I think. 'Going home' could refer to a fondly remembered childhood and being among people who provide nonjudgemental love and approval, but it could also mean the recognition that 'all the world's a stage', as Shakespeare put it, and that 'Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player, That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And then is heard no more. It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.'To which we might add, 'Thanks, mind.'Regards,Detlef> >> > "Going Home"> >> > by Leonard Cohen> >> > Words at:> >> > http://www.newyorker.com/fiction/poetry/2012/01/23/120123po_poem_cohen> >> > There's also a link to LC speaking the words to music.> >> > The old bastard's still got it -- whatever 'it' is.> >> >> > Detlef> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2012 Report Share Posted January 19, 2012 Detlef, Thanks for the Shakespeare quote. It reminded me of two things. The first is a DVD I bought a couple of years ago of a Royal Shakespeare performance of Macbeth, starring Ian McKellen and Judi Dench. The way he spoke the lines you quote is magnificent and chilling, as is Judi Dench's howl during her sleep walking scene. If you're into Shakespeare as much as I am, you'll love this version. The second thing that occurred to me was a line from The Tempest: " We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep. " I'm not sure what it means exactly, but it sounds like it means a lot! Cheers, Stan > > > > > > " Going Home " > > > > > > by Leonard Cohen > > > > > > Words at: > > > > > > > http://www.newyorker.com/fiction/poetry/2012/01/23/120123po_poem_cohen > > > > > > There's also a link to LC speaking the words to music. > > > > > > The old bastard's still got it -- whatever 'it' is. > > > > > > > > > Detlef > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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