Alexandra Leaving

ALEXANDRA LEAVING - Leonard Cohen

 

C                                                  Am

Suddenly the night has grown colder.



G                      F              G       C    

the god of love preparing to depart.



C                                            Am

Alexandra hoisted on his shoulder,



F                                F           G          C

they slip between the sentries of the heart.



 



Em                  F

Upheld by the simplicities of pleasure



Dm                                                     F          

they gain the light, they formlessly entwine.

C                                                Am

And radiant beyond your widest measure

F                                   F         G          C

they fall among the voices and the wine.



 

                  F               G                 Am

It's not a trick, your senses all deceiving,

                  F              Dm                   G

a fitful dream, the morning will exhaust.

              C          G  Am  G        F

Say goodbye       to Alexandra leaving.

        Dm                   G               C       F  C  F

then say goodbye to Alexandra lost.



 



C                                                    Am

Even though she sleeps upon your satin,

G                         F               G       C

even though she wakes you with a kiss.

C                                              Am

Do not say the moment was imagined,

G                       F     G             C

do not stoop to strategies like this.





 

Em                                                      F

As someone long prepared for this to happen,

Dm                                                 G

go firmly to the window, drink it in.



 

 

               C                         Am

Exquisite music, Alexandra laughing,

F                                    F      G       C

your first commitments tangible again.

 





                     F           G                  Am

And you who had the honor of her evening

                   F        Dm                      G

and by that honor had your own restored,

   





               C               G    Am     G         F

 say goodbye       to Alexandra leaving,

 Dm           G                       C

Alexandra leaving with her lord.    



      

 

C                                                         Am

As someone long prepared for the occasion,

G                            F       G          C

in full command of every plan you wrecked,

C                                                Am

do not choose a coward's explanation,

G                                 F             G         C

that hides behind the cause and the effect.

 





                     F             G                Am

And you who were bewildered by a meaning,

                          Dm        F                 G

whose code was broken, crucifix uncrossed,

              C           G   Am  G        F

Say goodbye         to Alexandra leaving.

        Dm                   G              C

then say goodbye to Alexandra lost.

 

(Repeat last two lines)