First We Take Manhattan – English Lyrics

• By: Leonard Cohen
• Album: I'm Your Man

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the enigmatic world of Leonard Cohen with "First We Take Manhattan," a song that broke new ground for the legendary artist. Its blend of dark, poetic lyrics and a bold synth-pop sound offers a unique window into Cohen's later period. Through its compelling narrative of ambition and 'psychic terrorism,' you can explore complex themes and Cohen's distinctive lyrical style, making it an engaging piece for language learners interested in profound and thought-provoking songwriting.

[English]

♪ They sentenced me to twenty years of boredom ♪

♪ For tryin' to change the system from within ♪

♪ I'm coming now, I'm coming to reward them ♪

♪ First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin ♪

♪ I'm guided by a signal in the heavens ♪

♪ I'm guided by this birthmark on my skin ♪

♪ I'm guided by the beauty of our weapons ♪

♪ First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin ♪

♪ I'd really like to live beside you, baby ♪

♪ I love your body and your spirit and your clothes ♪

♪ But you see that line there moving through the station? ♪

♪ I told you, I told you, told you, I was one of those ♪

♪ Ah you loved me as a loser, but now you're worried that I just might win ♪

♪ You know the way to stop me, but you don't have the discipline ♪

♪ How many nights I prayed for this, to let my work begin ♪

♪ First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin ♪

♪ I don't like your fashion business, mister ♪

♪ And I don't like these drugs that keep you thin ♪

♪ I don't like what happened to my sister ♪

♪ First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin ♪

♪ I'd really like to live beside you, baby ♪

♪ I love your body and your spirit and your clothes ♪

♪ But you see that line there moving through the station? ♪

♪ I told you, I told you, told you, I was one of those ♪

♪ And I thank you for those items that you sent me ♪

♪ The monkey and the plywood violin ♪

♪ I practiced every night, now I'm ready ♪

♪ First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin ♪

♪ (I am guided) ♪

♪ Ah remember me, I used to live for music (baby) ♪

♪ Remember me, I brought your groceries in (ooh baby yeah) ♪

♪ Well it's Father's Day and everybody's wounded ♪

♪ First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin ♪

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
Manhattan /mænˈhætən/ C1	noun - the most densely populated borough of New York City, USA
Berlin /bɜːrˈlɪn/ C1	noun - the capital and largest city of Germany
signal /ˈsɪɡ.nəl/ B2	noun - a sign or indication that conveys information verb - to send a signal or to indicate by means of a signal
heavens /ˈhɛv.ənz/ B2	noun - the sky or the universe, often used to express amazement
birthmark /ˈbɜːrθ.mɑːrk/ C1	noun - a spot or patch on the skin present from birth
beauty /ˈbjuː.ti/ B1	noun - the quality or combination of qualities that gives pleasure to the senses or mind
weapons /ˈwɛp.ənz/ B2	noun - tools or devices designed for combat or defense
discipline /ˈdɪs.ɪ.plɪn/ C1	noun - controlled behavior resulting from training; a branch of knowledge verb - to train someone to obey rules or a code of behavior
wounded /ˈwuːn.dɪd/ B2	adjective - injured, especially by a weapon or an accident verb - to cause injury to; to hurt
plywood /ˈplaɪ.wʊd/ C1	noun - a type of manufactured wood made by gluing together thin layers of wood veneer
violin /ˌvaɪəˈlɪn/ B2	noun - a string instrument played with a bow, having four strings tuned in fifths
groceries /ˈɡroʊ.sər.iz/ B1	noun - food and other items sold at a supermarket or grocery store
sister /ˈsɪs.tər/ A1	noun - a female sibling
loser /ˈluː.zər/ B1	noun - a person who loses or fails to succeed
fashion /ˈfæʃ.ən/ B2	noun - a popular style, especially in clothing, at a particular time verb - to make something conform to a particular style or trend
drugs /drʌɡz/ B2	noun - substances used for medical treatment or that alter bodily functions, often illegal
thin /θɪn/ A2	adjective - having a small distance between opposite sides; not thick verb - to make or become less thick; to reduce in density
change /tʃeɪndʒ/ B1	verb - to make or become different; to replace one thing with another noun - the act or result of making something different; coins given as spare money