Leonard Cohen – The Stranger Song ( 1967)

About the song

“​The Stranger Song” by Leonard Cohen is a captivating piece that delves into the complexities of human connection and the enigmatic nature of relationships. This song, featured on Cohen’s 1967 debut album “Songs of Leonard Cohen,” showcases his distinctive blend of poetic lyrics and haunting melodies.

Written solely by Leonard Cohen, “The Stranger Song” has been hailed for its evocative storytelling and introspective themes. The song’s protagonist navigates through the nuances of intimacy and distance, grappling with the ever-present specter of loneliness and longing.

Despite not achieving significant commercial success upon its release, “The Stranger Song” has earned acclaim from both critics and fans for its emotional depth and lyrical complexity. While it may not have topped the charts, its impact on Cohen’s body of work is undeniable.

Cohen’s soulful delivery and mesmerizing vocals infuse “The Stranger Song” with a sense of intimacy and vulnerability, drawing listeners into its spellbinding narrative. Although it may not be as widely known as some of Cohen’s other compositions, the song has earned a dedicated following among those who appreciate its artistry and depth.

As with much of Cohen’s repertoire, “The Stranger Song” invites listeners to explore the intricacies of human relationships and the profound emotions that accompany them. Through its poignant lyrics and haunting melody, the song offers a poignant reflection on the universal experiences of love, loss, and longing.

Video

Lyrics

It’s true that all the men you knew were dealers
Who said they were through with dealing
Every time you gave them shelter
I know that kind of man
It’s hard to hold the hand of anyone
Who is reaching for the sky just to surrender
Who is reaching for the sky just to surrender

And then sweeping up the jokers that he left behind
You find he did not leave you very much
Not even laughter
Like any dealer he was watching for the card
That is so high and wild
He’ll never need to deal another
He was just some Joseph looking for a manger
He was just some Joseph looking for a manger

And then leaning on your window sill
He’ll say one day you caused his will
To weaken with your love and warmth and shelter
And then taking from his wallet
An old schedule of trains, he’ll say
I told you when I came I was a stranger
I told you when I came I was a stranger

But now another stranger seems
To want you to ignore his dreams
As though they were the burden of some other
Oh, you’ve seen that man before
His golden arm dispatching cards
But now it’s rusted from the elbow to the finger
And he wants to trade the game he plays for shelter
Yes, he wants to trade the game he knows for shelter

Ah, you hate to watch another tired man
Lay down his hand
Like he was giving up the holy game of poker
And while he talks his dreams to sleep
You notice there’s a highway
That is curling up like smoke above his shoulder
It’s curling just like smoke above his shoulder

You tell him to come in, sit down
But something makes you turn around
The door is open, you can’t close your shelter
You try the handle of the road
It opens, do not be afraid
It’s you my love, you who are the stranger
It is you my love, you who are the stranger

Well, I’ve been waiting, I was sure
We’d meet between the trains we’re waiting for
I think it’s time to board another
Please understand, I never had a secret chart
To get me to the heart of this
Or any other matter
While he talks like this, you don’t know what he’s after
When he speaks like this, you don’t know what he’s after

Let’s meet tomorrow if you choose
Upon the shore, beneath the bridge
That they are building on some endless river
Then he leaves the platform
For the sleeping car that’s warm
You realize, he’s only advertising one more shelter
And it comes to you, he never was a stranger
And you say, “OK, the bridge or some place later.”

And then sweeping up the jokers that he left behind
You find he did not leave you very much
Not even laughter
Like any dealer he was watching for the card
That is so high and wild
He’ll never need to deal another
He was just some Joseph looking for a manger
He was just some Joseph looking for a manger

And leaning on your window sill
He’ll say one day you caused his will
To weaken with your love and warmth and shelter
And then taking from his wallet
An old schedule of trains, he’ll say
I told you when I came I was a stranger
I told you when I came I was a stranger
I told you when I came I was a stranger