Alexandra Leaving

Suddenly the night has grown colder The god of love preparing to depart Alexandra hoisted on his shoulder They slip between the sentries of the heart Upheld by the simplicities of pleasure They gain the light, they formlessly entwine And radiant beyond your widest measure They fall among the voices and the wine It's not a trick, your senses all deceiving A fitful dream, the morning will exhaust Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving Then say goodbye to Alexandra lost Even though she sleeps upon your satin Even though she wakes you with a kiss Do not say the moment was imagined Do not stoop to strategies like this As someone long prepared for this to happen Go firmly to the window, drink it in Exquisite music, Alexandra laughing Your first commitments, tangible again And you who had the honor of her evening And by the honor had your own restored Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving Alexandra leaving with her Lord Even though she sleeps upon your satin Even though she wakes you with a kiss Do not say the moment was imagined Do not stoop to strategies like this As someone long prepared for the occasion In full command of every plan you wrecked Do not choose a coward's explanation That hides behind the cause and the effect And you who were bewildered by a meaning Whose code was broken, crucifix uncrossed Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving Then say goodbye to Alexandra lost Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving Then say goodbye to Alexandra lost --- Alexandra Leaving - Leonard Cohen and Sharon Robinson