What a beautiful song. For some reason, The Future never got as popular as other Cohen albums, but I would argue that it might be his best. And, the title track is a masterpiece. Of course, the line you quote is followed by the chorus, which for all you non-Cohen fans is: "When they said, 'Repent,' I wonder what they meant." I've always taken this to mean something along the lines of, "How do we know when we're acting like sinners, and anyway what business is it of yours?" The beginning of the song is about desire for dark pleasures. "It's lonely here. There's no one left to torture," and, "Give me crack and anal sex," he continues. So much of the song sounds angry to me. But, as you quote, "Love's the only engine of survival." Its a juxtaposition that I don't quite get other than to surmise that he is trying to say that love is what grants one salvation, despite what one's immediate desires may be.
Thanks b_b: Yes, love grants one salvation -- and more! the engine of survival -- the motor of our existence -- the get up and get to it because of "love" in any and all of its meanings.
-- Leonard Cohen, "Boogie Street" So come, my friends, be not afraid
We are so lightly here.
It is in love that we are made;
In love we disappear.
It's a cold and it's a broken hallelujah - Thanks Flaga. That is somewhat my point above. My read on "Hallelujah" is this: over and over Cohen talks about the pain of love, but he still ends every stanza with Hallelujah - which is gratefulness and praise. Even a cold and broken hallelujah is still a miracle.
Great song. A while back zomberry made a post with a conversation analyzing those lyrics that I really enjoyed reading. lil, I think you would dig it too.