Martha Wainwright - The Traitor written by Leonard Cohen

[@FirstorDirt]

The Best interpratation of a song you will ever hear.She develops every corner of this thing

[@frankmalinaro9700]

~~ yep, she owns this song. Gets better every time I hear it.

[@ledaswan5990]

It’s unbelievable.

[@littleghostfilms3012]

This is the song through which I discovered Martha's stunning voice and human presence. It's honestly one of the most mesmerizing performances I've ever seen. She gives 200% of herself over to the drama of this L.C. masterpiece of lyrical poetry. BEAUTIFUL!!

[@moondancer4660]

Damn, Leonard Cohen had a way with words! Ballad of the Absent Mare on his '79 album called Recent songs of Leonard Cohen. That is such a beautiful song also.

[@charlesgray2567]

You are quite right; she leaves it all on the field.

[@musicisbrilliant]

Just came here to say, she did such an amazing job. Best performance in the film by miles. really did Leonard justice.

[@JWall-ob2pz]

😊

[@peterwilliamson4296]

A song like this is so beautiful it just reminds us record sales are a poor measure of performance genius.

[@secracium]

how can you not cry when listening to this?

[@Christerart1]

Exactly - I do every time I watch this - especially when I watch the Sky Arts show in high def. Goose bumps all every time - wonderful, amazing, she is an amazing artist. Too bad you can't get this version on iTunes - so much better than the recording she made that has way too much instrumental and buries her amazing ability!

[@tobiebradshaw4134]

This is the definitive version of this song, in my opinion. Beautiful and poignant.

[@GnomicMaster]

God I miss Lennie. What a poetic soulful master. Thank you, Len, for all the beauty you left to us.

[@nicholassgouros8612]

It is so hard to for me to choose a favourite Leonard Cohen lyric. Yet I always come back to this song. I kiss her open mouth And praise beauty And people call me traitor to my face

[@robertmcharg6904]

absolutely beautiful rendition of a classic song, well done Martha, r i p, leonard, absolutely heartbroken when you past, glad I saw him live a few times, wish I met him, but such is life.

[@joecaddenhead1817]

I've listened to this for years. Martha is timeless, and priceless. What an emotional ride, that breaking voice. Leonard picked her for this master piece, excellent choice. Leonard, thanks for the magical musical legacy.

[@andrewprokopis9430]

one of the greatest moments in performances.......truly profound!

[@Kayvee23]

Mesmerizing…I had never heard this song before. I’ve listened to it dozens of times and will listen to it dozens more.

[@katesmith3034]

It’s only when you listen to this performance of Martha’s that you truly appreciate what a complete artist she truly is. She writes and sings amazing music, but her interpretation and characterisation in this performance was stunning. It’s as if the song possessed her, I was transported to that place her performance had created. Pure genius 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@blueguitarblue]

I am blown away by her astonishing voice and interpretation. This is true talent. Not some bimbo famemonger who'll do ANYTHING to be famous. Usually they are the ones with way below average talent.

[@maliprinc5927]

bravo,mrs martha,bravo!

[@lilyleong2187]

I've listened to Martha's version ever so many times: it's the best! Moves my heart.

[@Fahamut]

As I sit here in total and complete amazement, I find myself with no words to describe what I am witnessing.

[@marikabezuidenhout2499]

Goosebumps - I think our maestro also cried

[@ledaswan5990]

I cried

[@bradkeene1224]

"To stand guiltless in the predicament in which you find yourself ". Our mandate, I believe, is to awaken and abide in love itself which we, with our human hearts, can only fail at. Surrender is the only way. (Thy will be done). This song and especially this performance of it are like scripture to me. God bless the poets; God bless the artists.

[@jadwigakaleta4616]

Can never listen to this just once, it's hypnotizing. Superb !

[@dario71468]

I cry and laugh and my face hurts she and he and we

[@mandynam7581]

Martha Wainwright is a beast.

[@anthonymorrissey8165]

Spellbinding spirit that comes through this incredible being

[@helentrigg1745]

So very haunting

[@skyhunk]

A true artist.. well two actually -- the first is the composer and the second is the one who most successfully interprets its meaning.

[@frknitus295]

So so so beautiful.... I just love that version ❤

[@peterwilliamson4296]

Martha just nails that song. We love her singing down here in NewZealand.

[@Christerart]

This is the best version of all the KZbin videos on KZbin of this performance! But the sound quality of the CD version of this Leonard Cohen will blow you away..:)

[@geebud1880]

Know her ferociously gifted Dad Loudon W. & Mom Kate McG. since ages - all this I see merged in this perfect video... Martha energy brings the great Tina Turner to my mind (she ever did a ballad ?)

[@alistairmacrae4870]

Love this rendition.

[@jimmymankind7970]

with this song she becomes the best femme singer in america. her bro might be the best male. for his hallelujah... but his stunning version. this great expression. as tears flow down my chin and drip into my cafe...god ineters the room ... if there is a god...she a goddess today.

[@leonrodriquezjr8083]

They're not Americans. They're Canadians

[@jkstewartcreative]

Outstanding .. simply wonderful !

[@geebud1880]

The brilliance of both her Pa and Ma - most of their records I collected and cherish - has merged in this fine woman & voice. In my fantasy i go out and stroll... make fun

[@SEABLUEFILMS]

Stunning and wonderful !

[@GnomicMaster]

My idea of Heaven would be to lie about in tall green grass beside a beautiful river listening to Cohen and Chopin for all eternity.

[@moondancer3157]

Sounds LOVELY

[@luciclaireshedoe2230]

Love love love her voice and take on life... 💃💐

[@chrisweigele8036]

Just frkn beautiful

[@7flies4U]

I really appreciate with love Leonard Cohen (et ses choristes, wow) but I prefer the interpretation of Martha Wainwright. Brings me to tears everytime I listen to this video. Entire movie must be great.

[@alistairmacrae4870]

Beautiful, Martha. Love you xx

[@johnbe8810]

At :09 or :10 seconds into this clip, you can watch her get herself into character. For the rest of the song, she IS the narrator in the song. No wonder it's so compelling. When the song ends about 5:18, you can see her step back out of the character. That is commitment to a performance.

[@sandusky0901]

'nuff to send you packing emotionally 😥 Amazing

[@katiecannon8186]

Martha desperately needs to do a full Cohen cover album. The Canadian government should commission it.

[@gravlaxbob355]

Wow, je n'avais jamais vu ça, quelle performance sincère! Le court extrait de l'auteur à la fin met en perspective cette chanson, sa signification. Merci!

[@mompsk1844]

Excellent!

[@henrylarsson3150]

Underbar vacker kvinna fantastiskt sångröst hälsningar från Sweden Fred till Ukraina ☮️ Slava Ukraina ☮️❤️😍☮️❤️😍☮️❤️😍☮️

[@daikimarcusbarlow8220]

Amazing!

[@dario71468]

I tremble

[@JanMelet]

Love her singing

[@moondancer4660]

She has very beautiful, sexy eyes and she really does Justice to this excellent song Leonard Cohen wrote.🌹❤️

[@ulaiwicka7917]

Maryja Juli i Parlla są zachwycające głosowo i wykonaniem utworów Cohena🥰❤️🥰

[@thezetes]

I am sure all people here are of quality, in taste and personality.

[@charlesgray2567]

Years ago,, legendary baseball manager Earl Weaver when asked to comment on his pitcher's performance after a win said simply, "You can't do no better than that," Those words describe Wainwright's performance here..

[@jessicawaikel9078]

Amazing 💖

[@poppyseed890]

...and my falsity had stung me like a hornet, the poison sank and it paralyzed my will.......

[@ledaswan5990]

If we could only write like that

[@davidspillane4299]

So beautiful, Martha you are such a master Artist !

[@sarahclark4580]

She embodied this song. Truly magnificent.

[@pblond758]

Her Mother’s Daughter! Love her pretty voice Talented!

[@preisel100]

lovely

[@gordeaux2006]

Superb!

[@constancewalsh3646]

Reading bio of Rufus "There Will Be Rainbows" by Kirk Lake. Absolutely excellent. It's about the whole family, at times I find Rufus to be less interesting, in his narcissism, than his parents and siblings. This excellent book also takes the reader into every aspect of the music business of the times - 1960s plus - which may be of particular interest to some. It is full of incredible research, intelligence and subtlety. I sometimes laugh out loud. Now I see Martha in a different light.

[@thx4dluv]

I have a hard time appreciating Rufus but really am mesmerized by Martha's rendition of this song>

[@julie-anneweller2766]

A song bird are you Martha I sometimes keep you on repeat

[@raymondlabay7651]

I dedicate this song to the media Peace!

[@nostradamus9441]

After reading all the comments, I am speechless

[@pepotecoll7315]

Ahora el cisne flotó en el río inglés Ah, la rosa de High Romance se abrió de par en par Una mujer bronceada me anhelaba durante el verano Y los jueces nos observaron desde el otro lado Le dije a mi madre «Madre, debo dejarte Conserva mi habitación pero no derrames una lágrima En caso de que el rumor de un final en mal estado te alcance Era la mitad de mi culpa y la mitad de la atmósfera » Pero la Rosa me enfermó de escarlatina Y el Cisne lo tenté con un sentimiento de vergüenza Ella dijo por fin que yo era su mejor amante Y si ella se marchitara, yo sería la culpable Los jueces dijeron que te lo perdiste por una fracción Levántate y prepara a tus tropas para el ataque Ah, los soñadores cabalgan contra los hombres de acción Oh, ve a los hombres de acción retrocediendo Pero me demoré en sus muslos un momento fatal Besé sus labios como si todavía tuviera sed Mi falsedad me había picado como un avispón El veneno se hundió y paralizó mi voluntad No podía moverme para advertir a todos los soldados más jóvenes Que habían sido abandonados desde arriba Entonces en los campos de batalla de aquí a Barcelona Estoy en la lista con los enemigos del amor Y hace mucho tiempo dijo: «Debo partir, Ah, pero mantengan mi cuerpo aquí para descansar sobre Puedes moverlo hacia arriba y hacia abajo y cuando estoy durmiendo Pasa un cable por Rose y enrolla el Swan » Así que todos los días renuevo mi deber inactivo La toco aquí y allá - Conozco mi lugar Le beso la boca abierta y alabo su belleza Y la gente me llama traidor a mi cara

[@smallchief1941]

"I lingered on her thigh a fatal moment."

[@judyauclair9428]

My favorite version of Cohen's "The Traitor"

[@skyhunk]

Whoa! I love Leonard Cohen, I love Martha Wainwright and I love her interpretation of Cohen's music! (Can't say it enough!!) If i'm correct in Cohen's interpretation/explanation/intent of the music, it was about the injustice of being called a traitor when there was no traitor or even a hint of such. Fast forward to today, when there are real, actual traitors in our midst, and who deserve condemnation. I think Cohen's lyrics/music re: 'The Traitor' would no longer apply. I think Cohen would likely have written new music to comment on the reality of today's traitorism. The accusation of 'traitor' was kind of abstract when Cohen wrote the lyrics to his song years ago. In contrast are the real traitors among us who are not people from thirty years ago. They are here NOW!

[@FirstorDirt]

Just as her husband made Hallelujah his own Martha has done that here

[@kelvinwright5165]

Martha is Rufus' sister. Rufus is gay.

[@FirstorDirt]

Thanks I did not know that

[@StevenEMellon]

He did not by any means make Hallelujah his own,Jeff Bukley owns that tittle!

[@kelvinwright5165]

Jeff Buckley's version is my favourite also. But really.... it's still Leonard Cohen who is the master

[@jimhoover4815]

I'm going to vote for John Cale's version, but all of them are great because it is a great song.

[@susanandgary5736]

Beautiful, indeed! The comments about Beyonce and Rhianna are uncalled for, however - let's not get Trump-like - all music has value and not meant to be divisive. Peace sisters and brothers - we are going to need it-.

[@petenolasco]

Yes, indeed. As far as I know Leonard never badmouthed another artist.If ever he was at times so self-deprecating and critical of his own performances. I'd rather have his spirit all the time.

[@jimhoover4815]

I agree. Leonard was once asked what he would like played at his funeral. His reply "The Grand Tour" by George Jones. That is certainly a different genre of music.

[@patrickhiggins6726]

Superbe

[@im4out]

Wow

[@Rachel8838]

When you find out what this song is about, you’ll know it.

[@jl4785]

I discovered this song years ago after I heard a Leonard Cohen song in a movie. But I still don't know what it's about. But I have an imagination. Is it about a mother who betrays her kids and dyes and then they feel sorrow and wish that she was back

[@Hypnosia57]

She is the second Barbara Streisand .....I am out of Mind earring her.

[@ADonovan43]

I will fall to sleep tonight with the thought that they can paint legs on a snake and call it a dog the traitors have traded truth for fame and gold,media. the traitors! Beautiful post ADonovan43

[@Christerart1]

This is a very bad copy of the original version - if you have a chance to get Sky Arts HD - Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man. THAT is the one you should watch and listen to - amazing, incredible!. Every time I watch it I get goosebumps all over and end up in tears. Anyone know if there is a CD or DVD for sale of the concert?

[@kathleenanne1718]

There's a DVD. I got one several years ago.

[@patriciadavidson6765]

A Leonard Cohen song of immeasurable beauty. Leonard’s version is magnificent, Martha’s from another dimension 🩸🩸🩸

[@ledaswan5990]

“Immeasurable beauty” is very accurate

[@ledaswan5990]

And yes Martha,holy shit!

[@ledaswan5990]

Yes

[@henrikfiehn8999]

Særegent, smukt og med en fantastisk indlevelse. Kan ikke gøres bedre.

[@blueguitarblue]

Canadian Goddess. Beyonce and Rhianna: Listen and Weep. She's not a whore either.

[@gabrielefrancioni7582]

Boring and forgettable. You know, it's not mandatory to have all your children sing if you think you're one...

[@daneenmurf1043]

Go away

[@RamSadeh]

Awful

[@johnbe8810]

Try not to be so hard on yourself !