The Window – English Lyrics

• By: Leonard Cohen
• Album: RecentSongs

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the profound poetry of Leonard Cohen's "The Window," a song that transcends language barriers with its universal themes of spiritual yearning and hope. Through its beautiful blend of folk, jazz, and Eastern melodies, this song offers a unique opportunity to explore the rich tapestry of mystical and religious imagery that influenced Cohen's work. Learning the language of this song is to delve into a world of deep emotion and timeless wisdom, making it a special piece for any language learner's journey.

[English]

Now why do you stand by the window

Abandoned to beauty and pride

The thorn of the night in your bosom

The spear of the age in your side?

Lost in the rages of fragrance

Lost in the rags of remorse

Lost in the waves of the sickness

That loosens the high silver nerves

Oh chosen love, oh frozen love

Oh tangle of matter and ghost

Oh darling of angels, demons and saints

And the whole broken-hearted host, gentle this soul

And come forth from your cloud of unknowing

And kiss the cheek of the moon

The new Jerusalem glowing

Why tarry all night in this ruin?

And leave no word of discomfort

Or leave no observer to mourn

But climb on your tears and be silent

Like the rose on its ladder of thorns

Oh chosen love, oh frozen love

Oh tangle of matter and ghost

Oh darling of angels, demons and saints

And the whole broken-hearted host, gentle this soul

Then lay your rose on the fire

The fire give up to the sun

The sun give over to splendor

In the arms of the high holy one

For the holy one dreams of a letter

Dreams of a letter's death

Bless thee continuous stutter

Of the word being made into flesh

Oh chosen love, oh frozen love

Oh tangle of matter and ghost

Oh darling of angels, demons and saints

And the whole broken-hearted host, gentle this soul, gentle this soul

Oh chosen love, oh frozen love

Oh tangle of matter and ghost

Oh darling of angels, demons and saints

And the whole broken-hearted host, gentle this soul, gentle this soul

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
abandoned /əˈbændənd/ B2	adjective - deserted or left alone
thorn /θɔːrn/ A2	noun - a sharp point on a plant
bosom /ˈbʊzəm/ B1	noun - a woman's breast or the front of a person's body
spear /spɪr/ A2	noun - a weapon with a long shaft and sharp point
fragrance /ˈfreɪɡrəns/ B1	noun - a pleasant smell
remorse /rɪˈmɔːrs/ B2	noun - deep regret or guilt for a wrong committed
loosen /ˈluːsən/ B1	verb - to make less tight or firm
tangle /ˈtæŋɡl/ B1	noun - a twisted or tangled mass verb - to become twisted together
splendor /ˈsplɛndər/ C1	noun - great and impressive beauty or magnificence
tarry /ˈtæri/ C1	verb - to delay or wait
ruin /ˈruːɪn/ B1	noun - the state of being destroyed or decayed
silent /ˈsaɪlənt/ A1	adjective - making no sound
gentle /ˈdʒɛntəl/ A2	adjective - mild and kind verb - to make calm or quiet
bless /blɛs/ B1	verb - to invoke divine favor upon
continuous /kənˈtɪnjuəs/ B2	adjective - without interruption
stutter /ˈstʌtər/ B1	verb - to speak with involuntary pauses or repetitions

Key Grammar Structures

• Now why do you stand by the window

  ➔ Present Simple in a Question

  ➔ The verb 'stand' is in the present simple tense, used to ask about a habitual or general action. The inversion of 'why' and 'do' forms a question.

• The thorn of the night in your bosom

  ➔ Possessive Determiners

  ➔ The phrase uses 'your' as a possessive determiner to show ownership. It modifies 'bosom' to indicate possession.

• Lost in the rages of fragrance

  ➔ Past Participle as Adjective

  ➔ The word 'Lost' is a past participle used as an adjective to describe the state of being. It modifies the noun phrase 'the rages of fragrance'.

• Oh chosen love, oh frozen love

  ➔ Vocative Case

  ➔ The phrases 'Oh chosen love' and 'oh frozen love' use the vocative case to address or invoke the subject directly. 'Oh' is used to express emotion.

• And kiss the cheek of the moon

  ➔ Imperative Mood

  ➔ The verb 'kiss' is in the imperative mood, used to give a command or instruction. It directly addresses the listener.

• The new Jerusalem glowing

  ➔ Present Participle as Adjective

  ➔ The word 'glowing' is a present participle used as an adjective to describe 'the new Jerusalem'. It shows a continuous action or state.

• But climb on your tears and be silent

  ➔ Imperative Mood with 'and'

  ➔ The verbs 'climb' and 'be' are both in the imperative mood, connected by 'and' to give multiple commands. It emphasizes consecutive actions.

• Then lay your rose on the fire

  ➔ Imperative Mood with Object

  ➔ The verb 'lay' is in the imperative mood, followed by the object 'your rose'. It gives a direct command with a specific object.