February 4, 2013
When I made a final pass through all the memory cards from my last six concerts (Austin x2, Denver, LA, Seattle, Portland) I found my video of AMEN from the LA Nokia on November 5. I certainly can understand my inefficiency following that concert. (see my earlier report, Wonderful Leonard Cohen Concert in Los Angeles at LA Nokia Live But A Difficult Evening 11.5.12 )
My new found video gave me a chance to think a little more about Leonard Cohen's sobering AMEN and my ambivalence about his magnificent song.
On the one hand, the words sound so horrific (the horror...I read as the Holocaust) and are difficult to absorb. But the poetry is magnificent. I always find meaning from his writing. But I can never verbalize what it is. I just feel it.
Similar to his Holocaust connected song "Dance Me To The End Of Love", LC again wraps a lovely waltz around AMEN's difficult poetry. And he performs it mostly upright. (Contrast this with Come Healing where he sings it mostly kneeling in "penitential prayer".)
His eyes are often open and looking upwards. His hands are mostly relaxed.
I found all of this made AMEN uplifting.
I liked the song when I first heard it on his newest album Old Ideas. But I began to love the song more and more as the tour progressed. So when I went to those six concerts, AMEN was one of the songs I really looked forward to hearing.
And my wish was fulfilled.
Los Angeles AMEN Nov 5.12 - by Arlene DickAmen
Tell me again
When I’ve been to the river
And I’ve taken the edge off my thirst
Tell me again
We’re alone & I’m listening
I’m listening so hard that it hurts
Tell me again
When I’m clean and I’m sober
Tell me again
When I’ve seen through the horror
Tell me again
Tell me over and over
Tell me you want me then
Amen
Tell me again
When the victims are singing
And Laws of Remorse are restored
Tell me again
That you know what I’m thinking
But vengeance belongs to the lord
Tell me again…
Tell me again
When the day has been ransomed
& night has no right to begin
Try me again
When the angels are panting
And scratching the door to come in
Tell me again
When I’m clean and I’m sober
Tell me again…
Tell me again
When the filth of the butcher
Is washed in the blood of the lamb
Tell me again
When the rest of the culture
Has passed thru’ the Eye of the Camp
Tell me again…
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Lyrics from the Official Old Ideas Leonard Cohen website
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