So Long, Marianne
By: Leonard Cohen

Original Performance: Leonard Cohen
Written by: Leonard Cohen

Versions:
  1. So Long, Marianne (6:55)
    Available on Songs Of Leonard Cohen.
    Credits
    Ben Goldwasser: Bass
    Andrew Van Wyngarden: Drums
    Beck Hansen: Guitar (Electric), Vocals (Background)
    Bram Inscore: keyboards, Vocals (Background)
    Brian Lebarton: keyboards
    Andrew Stockdale: Synthesizer
    Devendra Banhart: Vocals
    Will Berman: Vocals (Background)
 
Lyrics:
So Long, Marianne [Version (a)]:

Come over to the window, my little darling
I'd like to try to read your palm
I used to think I was some kind of gypsy boy
Before I let you take me home

Now so long, Marianne
It's time that we began to laugh and cry and cry and laugh
About it all again

Well you know that I love to live with you, my dear
But you make me forget so very much
I forget to pray for the angels
And then the angels forget to pray for us

Now so long, Marianne
It's time that we began to laugh and cry and cry and laugh
About it all again

Well, we met when we were almost young
Deep in the green lilac park
You held on to me like I was a crucifix
As we went kneeling through the dark, yea

Now so long, Marianne
It's time that we began to laugh and cry and cry and laugh
About it all again

Your letters, they all say you're beside me now
Then why do I feel alone?
I'm standing on a ledge
And your fine spider web is fastening my ankle to a stone

Now so long, Marianne
It's time that we began to laugh and cry and cry and laugh
About it all again

For now, I need your hidden love
I'm cold as new razor blade
You left when I told you I was curious
But I never never said that I was brave

Oh so long, Marianne
It's time that we began to laugh and cry and cry and laugh
About it all again

Oh you are really such a pretty one
I see you've gone and changed your name again
And just when I climbed this old mountainside (side)
To wash my eyelids in the rain oh

Oh so long, Marianne
It's time that we began to laugh and cry and cry and laugh
About it all again
 
The Song:

"So Long, Marianne" is one of Leonard Cohen's more famous songs, appearing on his debut album Songs Of Leonard Cohen. The album was the second project by Beck's Record Club, where he and some friends would get together and record a cover of an entire album in one day. The Leonard Cohen project was done by Beck, Devendra Banhart, MGMT and some of Beck's band.

Devendra Banhart sings lead on the Record Club's "So Long, Marianne," while the band adds all sorts of instruments and sounds to the familiar melody. Devendra is a good match for the lyrics, and his wavering vocals suit the song.
 
Notes: