‘Anthem’ by Leonard Cohen Performed by John MacLachlan

‘Anthem’ by Leonard Cohen
Words and music: Leonard Cohen ©1992
Performed by John MacLachlan

The birds they sang at the break of day
Start again I heard them say.
Don’t dwell on what has passed away
or what is yet to be.

Oh the wars they will be fought again,
and the holy dove will be bought again,
bought and sold and bought again,
the dove is never free.

Ring the bells that still can ring,
forget your perfect offering.
There is a crack in everything,
that’s how the light gets in.

You asked for signs the signs were sent:
the birth betrayed the marriage spent.
And the widowhood of every government –
signs for all to see.

I can’t run no more with the lawless crowd,
while the killers in high places say their prayers out loud.
But they’ve summoned a thundercloud
and they’re going to hear from me.

Ring the bells that still can ring …

You can strike up the band, but there is no drum.
You can add up the parts, but there is no sum.
And to every heart, love will surely come,
but like a refugee.

Ring the bells that still can ring,
forget your perfect offering.
There is a crack, a crack in everything,
that’s how the light gets in.