Suzanne - Lyrics - Leonard Cohen

Suzanne is a song written by Canadian poet and singer/song writer Leonard Cohen which was first written as a poem in 1966 and first recorded by Judy Collins that same year. In 1967 he recorded it as a single from his album Songs of Leonard Cohen. This intimate song was inspired by his platonic relationship with Suzanne Verdal, the then girlfriend of sculpter Armand Valliancourt. It relates to their visits at her apartment by the Montreal harbor and walks past the church of Notre - Dame - de - Bon - Secoures where sailors were blessed before going to sea.
Suzanne
Suzanne takes you down to her place near the river
You can hear the boats go by, you can spend the night forever
And you know that she's half-crazy but that's why you want to be there
And she feeds you tea and oranges that come all the way from China
And just when you mean to tell her that you have no love to give her
Then he gets you on her wavelength
And she lets the river answer that you've always been her lover
And you want to travel with her, and you want to travel blind
And you know that she will trust you
For you've touched her perfect body with your mind
And Jesus was a sailor when he walked upon the water
And he spent a long time watching from his lonely wooden tower
And when he knew for certain only drowning men could see him
He said all men will be sailors then until the sea shall free them
But he himself was broken, long before the sky would open
Forsaken, almost human, he sank beneath your wisdom like a stone
And you want to travel with him, and you want to travel blind
And you think you maybe you'll trust him
For he's touched your perfect body with her mind
Now, Suzanne takes your hand and she leads you to the river
She's wearing rags and feathers from Salvation Army counters
And the sun pours down like honey on our lady of the harbor
And she shows you where to look among the garbage and the flowers
There are heroes in the seaweed, there are children in the morning
They are leaning out for love and they wil lean that way forever
While Suzanne holds her mirror
And you want to travel with her, and you want to travel blind
And you know that you can trust her
For she's touched your perfect body with her mind

[@gwestfall]

I found my Suzanne over 44 years ago. We have five beautiful children and ten grandchildren. She is by far the best thing that ever happened to me. She has "always" been my "lover" and she continues to show me where to look. I am the richest man on earth because of her love. God Bless Leonard Cohen for writing this haunting song and God Bless the real Suzannes out there who continue to lead us to the "river".

[@hayleyb467]

Made my day reading this comment. Thank you for sharing a bit of your heart, I'll keep it in mine♡

[@dantepagano2482]

Probably the most beautiful song I’ve ever heard

[@olgaacheimastou4795]

What a song... what a singer... God rest his soul...

[@malu2484]

Immer wieder Leonhard Cohen....Was für eine Stimme!❤

[@debbienovak4874]

This is part of my soul!

[@Somewheremaybe]

Thank you for your friendly visit Debbie,....have a great week ahead :)

[@peter5475]

...vor Jahren hörte ich diesen Song auf einer Reise durch Kanada bei der Einfahrt nach Montreal, niemals vergesse ich diesen Moment und den großartigen Song von Leonard Cohen, RIP

[@pualsimpson294]

One of the greatest songs ever written a genius song writer.

[@stephenmclaughlin8045]

ABSOLUTELY DUDE.

[@riatabbers1970]

@@stephenmclaughlin8045 joch croban

[@grazynamalcherek5229]

Leonard Cohen dziekuje Ci za najpiekniejsze momenty, kiedy slucham Twoich ballad jestem lepszym czlowiekiem.

[@pattithompson1414]

This song continues to touch my soul after all these years. Cohen's poetry is brilliant.

[@annuscaceccon5889]

This is a wonderful Love song thank's Leonard

[@moon_lightboi4191]

I always wanted a song with my name in it. Boy did I hit the jackpot . I am Suzanne.💕💕

[@malu2484]

Jeder Song...Gänsehaut! Danke!

[@Somewheremaybe]

Thank you for taking your time,...kindest regards to you and those you love :)

[@oliviamancini1329]

Somewheremaybe~ yes...I'm Suzanne

[@Gammadian]

I’ve been listening to this since it was released. It always touches me. Thank you Leonard Cohen for all your writing, playing and singing.

[@future8273]

Memories, sailing the Pacific with Leonard Cohen on the tape recorder!

[@stevebrigandi3488]

And I, sailing the Caribbean.

[@alansmith2203]

it never ceases to amaze me how good the poets of Dylan and Cohen's era were. The imagery so powerful...human emotions that many people can relate to. The music of nowadays....so sad for these young people. Thank you Leonard and Bob for such riches that you shared with the masses.

[@MikeKauaiHawaii]

Well said, indeed.

[@mariececile3973]

I don' feel this song as a sad one

[@hayleyb467]

There's still lots of wonderfully written songs

[@dwayneman2man]

Rest In peace Lenard Cohen ... Your music will live on while you in heaven watching down in peace 😰😰😰

[@lorettacaputo6997]

I have met a few Suzannes and each have led me to a river that has taken me further along my journey. When I first heard this song back in the early sixties and then heard Leonard Cohen sing it in person, little did I know what was to unfold in my life but somehow his lyrics would be the sound track for my life.

[@herrt.h2547]

Danke für den kurzen Moment der Entspannung.Eins der schönsten Lieder die es gibt.

[@renebeutner464]

Hammer Song eines super Künstlers, der leider nicht mehr unter uns weilt, doch seine Songs bleiben für die Ewigkeit !

[@runningbear9131]

I always liked this song ,I grew up listening to it ,,,, and then one faithful night in Bali ,I meet a gorgeous woman , named Susanne with an s.I fell head over heels over like a school boy , still am

[@MMM-dq9jj14up]

Reckon you may mean "Fateful"night?

[@29mirka]

I really like Leonard Cohen, he creates a song in the style of folk rock, performed in Poland for two concerts in 2008 and 2010, the musical group to which I belong L.Cohen are often shared his clips .... A great poet and singer ...Regards Glenn and thank you for beautiful as always clip :)

[@Somewheremaybe]

Hi Miri,....I am happy you enjoy his music....I am a huge fan of folk rock myself,.....thank you for your friendly visit and enjoy the rest of your week dear friend :)

[@piotrglab1832]

One of the best song in the world

[@kevinhallisey5201]

Love his songs. RIP. In one of the great ironies of life, I sometimes like some covers better than his version. However, it is ultimately HIS song that captures me at first. What a great story teller, songwriter.

[@mikeday62]

I must have heard this song in the late sixties. I awoke from a nap today and remembered the lyrics near perfectly after so many decades. I had to hunt it down. The events in the bible really did happen, especially the accounts of Jesus' time on earth. He will return...be ready for him.

[@archisman1000]

This is my loveliest song..and i don't know that why i think about Mr.Cohen like god..And I feel his voice like heavenic..

[@dannyboyzeta]

He's Like God and The Devil all in 1.....genius

[@burbischb3509]

Wenn ich an L. Cohen denke oder seine Musik höre denke ich sofort „ Susanne „!

[@jssjjnxjsksj4774]

suzanne is the woman that more i have ever loved in my life and i still love her

[@THEJR-of5tf]

I have loved Leonard since the early 1960s. He is the only singer/songer to come close tho rivalling Dylan. I love them both. RIP Leonard.

[@simonbees9496]

Suzanne was my first girlfriend She took me down to her place by the water. Simply the best.

[@zadiex2]

So much in one song....Leonard Cohen...RIP

[@nicolasmusi6733]

Suzzane was my mother and Suzanne is now my daughter. Leonard a great human being

[@patyankouski7527]

Who, but L. Cohen, can turn a one-night stand into a religious experience? RIP, Mr. Cohen.

[@kikireisdorff4238]

pat yankouski Yes He did, many.

[@positivetimeline2023]

This is what real Love does

[@positivetimeline2023]

This is what real Love does

[@positivetimeline2023]

This is what real Love does

[@stevebrigandi3488]

From her own mouth, they were never intimate. She was his muse.

[@GabrielMoraitakis]

soft and tender song....

[@Somewheremaybe]

Thanks for taking your time to view and comment Gabriel :)

[@Jojoseahorse]

I dedicate this to my dear friend Suzanne who we just lost xx

[@ravenofno]

I am so sorry for your loss of your friend. But, what a perfect and wonderful venue to pay your respect.

[@Jojoseahorse]

Thank you x

[@ryanchainbaux6504]

Always loved Suzanne, never ages.❤

[@andenkondorzenzi7056]

freut mich, dass auch deutsche Kommentare dabei sind ... reicht schon das ach so coole SALE ... der Song ist genial, weil er fast schon a capella ist und trotzdem, oder gerade deshalb unglaublich intensiv seine 'Botschaft' rüberbringt

[@davidcrouch591]

Such profound poetry, the words have real meaning.

[@patriciafreire2691]

Muito linda a canção!!!

[@Somewheremaybe]

Hello dear friend Patricia,.....yes it is,....thank you very much for taking your time to view and comment,.....take good care of yourself and don't work too hard :)

[@patriciafreire2691]

Ohh sim... Ok Você adivinhou... Realmente estou trabalhando muito e ficando exausta no final do dia... Obrigada por se preocupar :-)

[@Somewheremaybe]

You are welcome nice friend :)

[@patriciafreire2691]

Obrigada Glenn. Tenha uma ótima semana :)

[@PostcardsOfLife]

Greetings! Another of my favourites!

[@Somewheremaybe]

Thanks very much for your friendly visit,....enjoyed your channel very much,....take good care :)

[@petergreen3122]

A touching and memorable poem...

[@DerryAHommersom]

Hello Glenn, this song i like from Leonard Cohen thank you for the share dear friend. Take Care enjoy the rest of your week.:)

[@Somewheremaybe]

Thank you so much Derry,...I worked a long time to try to have the video do justice to this haunting and beautiful song....take good care my nice musical friend

[@DerryAHommersom]

:)

[@rema587]

Beautiful video, the best about Suzanne I have seen.

[@Somewheremaybe]

Thank you so much,...I...I have always been touched by the intimacy of this song and lyrics and I wanted to do it justice,......happy holidays to you and those you love :)

[@tundrawomansays5067]

Somewheremaybe You have touched mine with this beautiful rendition. Thank you.

[@Somewheremaybe]

Thank you for taking your time to view and comment,....happy new year to you and those you love :)

[@ravenofno]

Perhaps the second best video of this magnum opus that I have ever seen.

[@stephangeerling3793]

My Suzanne is called Lulu and we were only together for 23 days in July 1980 but were so stupid not to organize a sequel. Fast forward to June 2020 when after 40y walking in the desert Mother Gaea & Father Time had mercy on us and graciously reunited us in Cyber Space. In September 2021 I even got so lucky to experience my second homecoming, meeting her for 29 wonderful hours in 3D real life. I'm looking forward to touching her perfect Body & Soul with my Mind and more over and over again...

[@MSYNGWIE12]

Now that's a perfect, Cohen-esque love story...Namaste

[@ssebtze]

Dear Glenn...Great MV enjoy beautiful day

[@stef2012bg]

Very nice! Thank you Glenn. Happy Sunday!

[@Somewheremaybe]

Hi Stefi,...thank you so much for your friendly visit,...have a beautiful Sunday and a lovely week ahead dear friend :)

[@txominjoanesbikotz]

Superbe accompagnement vidéo, en accord parfait avec la chanson.

[@fernandoludueno984]

Beautiful song

[@arthurchampion]

Mournful, melodic and meaningful

[@TimMOtto]

I miss my Leonard vinyl collection I sold a few years back. Miss him too.

[@TimMOtto]

Hi Suzanne, Listen to my album: "Poetic License" on here and see what you think? Was it influenced by Leonard or not?

[@TwoCatsUp]

So so so nice.

[@geraldedelstein7842]

Touches the heart and soul

[@pilarmunozorihuelaorihuela2062]

Por y para siempre mi canción preferida LEONARD COHEN D.E.P.

[@mwkjdrew]

This is such a great song ...I love Leonard Cohen..Enjoyed your wonderful video as always...Thanks again dear Glenn...Have a great day :)

[@Somewheremaybe]

Thanks for supporting both pages dear Wenhsing,...you are very kind,...have a lovely weekend :)

[@mwkjdrew]

Have a lovely weekend dear Glenn...:)

[@ReginaReRoma]

This video made me cry a river... thanks for the creator, will chosen images... please pray for the Syrian people, Greeting and love for all humans, real humans....... minute 2:59

[@luvperu1]

Lovely video Glenn !!

[@Somewheremaybe]

Thank you very much Polly,....have a beautiful week my friend :)

[@soulsassbydeea3607]

wonderful...the one song I'll always relate to :)

[@rodneycaupp5962]

This is my favorite Leonard Cohen song..., a poem put to music. It takes you there, to the river. I was in the Navy when I first heard this song in the early 70s. ...there are heroes in the sea weed.

[@TheShepcom]

My favorite Leonard Cohen song. While away at US Army Summer Camp in the early 70s one of the guys in our barracks brought along his guitar and played this song.

[@rodneycaupp5962]

@@TheShepcom Was that "Camp Cong"? I took a course in Sailing in the early 70s. It was a 4 year study in War Ships. I saw the Movie McCabe and Mrs Miller while at Sea. This was one of the great songs from the film.

[@zigenterprises]

Beautiful ... thanks Glenn

[@Somewheremaybe]

Thanks Tony,...hope you are doing well,....take care brother :)

[@vicentarin2319]

Me transporta

[@SallyGouw]

Such a touched lyrics with beautiful voice ♥♥♥

[@janehuang3581]

great

[@Somewheremaybe]

Thank you for your friendly visit Binh,.....kindest regards to you and those you love,.....Glenn :)

[@tonys2705]

Perfection....

[@juanantonioruizsanchez4534]

Suzane sera inmortal!

[@dave327ful]

Well done Leonard C.! RIP

[@johnnoon9289]

Absolutely Brilliant video to a Brilliant piece of music, tears here :( Thank You.

[@veanwhitcher7867]

Such a wonderful songwriter and performer, I didn't personally discover his work until only a few months before his death but l almost cried upon hearing that he was gone.

[@bannieo]

I did the same... found him a few months before his death and wanted to cry when he went away.

[@udovon9945]

@@bannieo eins der besten lieder auf der weld

[@udovon9945]

@@bannieo one of the best songs in the world

[@bullet7132]

whos listning to this in 2019 this is kool

[@GabrieleBloch]

Mein Traumsong !

[@andenkondorzenzi7056]

[@margittagunz7889]

Meiner auch

[@nacepaly7607]

Zwischen schönhauser und prenzlauer Allee wurden die lyrics hingesprayed. Ich fand die so schön aber wusste gar nicht dass es Lyrics sind.

[@pippomess2148]

uno dei più grandi poeti

[@elijahsfire2489]

beautiful

[@hazzatube7505]

beautiful.

[@k.mstudio8185]

I love this song

[@eveline58thenetherlands15]

My second name is Suzanne.... thank you Leonard ♥

[@johntotten2706]

Yes.

[@jayantidas878]

Lovely...!!!

[@claudettepreisinger]

Beautiful, Glenn...I usually prefer Judy Collins' version because she has a better singing voice. But Leonard Cohen is a genius when it comes to his writing, and your video and the background vocals make this version perfect :)

[@Somewheremaybe]

Hi Claudette,...you are very kind dear friend,...thanks for checking this out,....have a lovely week :)

[@jonesburthe]

So habe ich mir Suzanne auch vorgestellt ,so wie dieses Mädchen im Video !

[@aidabirch630]

A touching you tube and sensitive poetry

[@daddysealtx]

What a poignant beautifully touching song. And who is that beautiful woman shown here?

[@chriswheeler9148]

nice

[@oliviamancini1329]

Ahhh....yes... I'm Suzanne

[@bullet7132]

and iv touched your perfect body with my mind

[@darrentodd6812]

Sisters of mercy

[@AnotherLifeWithoutU]

Hi, Glenn! How are you? Interesting song, it's a mix of love, life and philosophy from which I understood he loved her very much and very pure.

[@Somewheremaybe]

Hi Monica :) Yes, I think you are right about his love,...I am fine sweet friend,....hope you are well ? Thank you for your lovely visit, have a beautiful weekend :)

[@kapilmerc]

D, a million apologies for coming to you so late And thanks a million for all the pictures and information about my naughty good beautiful girl

[@MrBietka52]

W swe miejsce nad rzeką Zabiera cię Zuzanna Możesz słuchać plusku łodzi Możesz zostać z nią do rana Wiesz że trochę źle ma w głowie Lecz dlatego chcesz być tutaj Proponuje ci herbatę Oraz chińskie pomarańcze I gdy właśnie chcesz powiedzieć Że nie możesz jej pokochać Zmienia twoją długość fali I pozwala mówić rzece Że się zawsze w niej kochałeś I już chcesz z nią powędrować Powędrować chcesz na oślep Wiesz że ona ci zaufa Bowiem ciała jej dotknąłeś Myślą swą Pan Jezus był żeglarzem Gdy przechadzał się po wodzie Spędził lata na czuwaniu W swej samotnej wieży z drewna Gdy upewnił się że tylko Mogą widzieć go tonący Rzekł - Żeglować będą ludzie Aż ich morze wyswobodzi... Lecz zwątpił zanim jeszcze Otworzyły się niebiosa Zdradzony niemal ludzki Jak kamień zapadł Jezus W mądrość twą I już chcesz z nim powędrować Powędrować chcesz na oślep Myślisz - chyba mu zaufam Bowiem dotknął twego ciała Myślą swą Dziś Zuzanna za rękę Prowadzi cię nad rzekę Cała w piórach i w łachmanach Z jakiejś Akcji Dobroczynnej Słońce kapie złotym miodem Na Madonnę tej Przystani Pokazuje ci, gdzie trzeba Szukać w śmieciach, szukać w kwiatach Są tu dzieci o poranku Bohaterzy w wodorostach Wszyscy dążą do miłości I podążać będą zawsze Gdy Zuzanna trzyma lustro I już chcesz z nią powędrować Powędrować chcesz na oślep Wiesz że można jaj zaufać Bo dotknęła twego ciała Myślą swą

[@RaVenDaWn999]

phrase by phrase, like the moon its phases and the tides, the poetry of this lyric has too many applications, no not software, not hardware, well maybe that, it is finally drizzling, and must go sing upon the fences with all the stray cats on the fringes where I ride, side by side, 4 horseman and we ride, crimson tears from the Crow's Nest, not every sailor makes it home to rest.. after so long at sea, port is a binge, feeling so free and too close to the edges, I rope the strays, bring 'em on in, I sing with the wolf and puma, an eerie echo, can you hear it... I must go set way for the strays, my eyes long past singed, I ride around the fire lines, heavy heart, a man too feral to come in, I love the rain upon my grin, my smile and my howl, time for the prowl, too late to ever come back in, I have found my place, always changing, see the authorities as they cringe. time now the night flight hot blue and self righteous we may be, yet we really do try. the smile in my eyes, always a sunrise within, this RaVen dwells in DaWn. I ride the fringe.

[@uwehaufschild2873]

eS WAR MAL VOR EINER lANGE Zeit,da liebete ich eine Frau.Carolin ich liebe dich immer noch ! Suzanne

[@GabrieleBloch]

Uwe Haufschild... Ich verstehe dich, bei diesem Song kommen schmerzliche Erinnerungen hoch! ❤

[@dadautube]

although most of his songs, even the 'happy' ones, were very depressing, he happened to be a major influence on many others after him, not only in his own genre, but also in others ... a rare artist ... unique works ... (but i cannot listen to his works anymore, not because i don't like them ... but because they are still very good and still have a very strong influence on me, which i no longer can tolerate really ... i am "beyond acute depression" ... been like that for a looong time actually ...)

[@franckfranck2623]

leonard cohen ze best

[@JennieFatnavarrow]

Well done Glen ******************************* Jennie

[@Somewheremaybe]

Thanks for taking your time to view and comment Jennie,...I am happy you like it,....have a lovely weekend :)

[@JennieFatnavarrow]

Hello Glen, thanks so much........ Have a wonderful weekend :))

[@Somewheremaybe]

***** :))

[@JennieFatnavarrow]

Hi Glen ........... :)))) Keep smiling ! Somewheremaybe

[@josepereira3104]

muinto bonito

[@PK-gi2qh]

One of Ian McCulloch's most favorite songs...

[@karmenjazbec7743]

sad song leonard

[@DavidByers1eye]

Thank You . . .

[@AnnabellsLoveMusic]

ღ¸•*Very nice video and song.¨*•ღ.Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ.ღ

[@isabelgarcia9196]

Annabells Love Music. .

[@hanstoneatti1883]

musica intensa quasi sa chiesac

[@rjs1341]

Yes of course i do :)

[@MSYNGWIE12]

Who is the beauty pictured- not Suzanne Elrod, alas, the much and unfairly, I imagine, vilified, wife of Leonard Cohen for a season or two, despite being so stunningly beautiful avoids the harsh light of the publicity camera lens...I've always as a Leonard Cohen FAN, wanted to hear her side...She must be a very bright, interesting, bohemian, eccentric lady to have "captured" him. I didn't think he would ever father any kids but I'm happy he did! Namaste

[@gabrielebloch3034]

❤️Mein Herz schmilzt dahin ❤️