Born in Chains – English Lyrics

• By: Leonard Cohen
• Album: Popular Problems

Lyrics & Translation

Explore themes of freedom, faith, and the human condition with Leonard Cohen's 'Born in Chains'. This song provides a unique opportunity to delve into Cohen's spiritual reflections and learn how he intertwines personal experiences with religious symbolism.

[English]

I was born in chains but I was taken out of Egypt

I was bound to a burden, but the burden it was raised

Lord, I can no longer keep this secret

Blessed is the name, the name be praised

...

I fled to the edge of the mighty sea of sorrow

Pursued by the riders of a cruel and dark regime

But the waters parted and my soul crossed over

Out of Egypt, out of Pharaoh's dream

Word of words and the measure of all measures

Blessed is the name, the name be blessed

Written on my heart in burning letters

That's all I know, I cannot read the rest

I was idled with my soul, when I heard you could use me

I followed very closely, but my life remained the same

But then you showed me where you had been wounded

In every atom broken is the name

I was alone on the road and your love was so confusing

All my teachers told me, I had myself to blame

But in the grip of sensual illusion

The sweet unknowing unified the name

Word of words, and the measure of all measures

Blessed is the name, the name be blessed

Written on my heart in burning letters

That's all I know, I cannot read the rest

I've heard the soul unfolds in the chambers of this longing

And the bitter liquor sweetens in the amber cup

But all the ladders of the night have fallen

Only darkness now, to lift the longing up

Word of words and measure of all measures

Blessed is the name, the name be blessed

Written on my heart in burning letters

That's all I know, I cannot read the rest

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
born /bɔːn/ A1	verb - to be brought into existence
chains /tʃeɪnz/ A1	noun - a series of metal links used to restrain or secure
burden /ˈbɜːr.dən/ B1	noun - a heavy load or responsibility
fled /flɛd/ A2	verb - to run away from danger
mighty /ˈmaɪ.ti/ B1	adjective - having great power or strength
pursued /pərˈsuːd/ B1	verb - to follow in order to catch or capture
cruel /krʊəl/ A2	adjective - causing pain or suffering
regime /reɪˈʒiːm/ B2	noun - a system or ordered way of doing things
parted /ˈpɑːr.tɪd/ A2	verb - to separate or divide
wounded /ˈwuːn.dɪd/ B1	adjective - injured or hurt physically or emotionally
confusing /kənˈfjuː.zɪŋ/ B1	adjective - difficult to understand
sensual /ˈsɛn.su.əl/ C1	adjective - relating to physical senses or desires
illusion /ɪˈluː.ʒən/ B2	noun - a false idea or belief
amber /ˈæm.bər/ B1	noun - a yellowish-brown fossilized resin
longing /ˈlɒŋ.ɪŋ/ B2	noun - a strong desire or yearning