My thanks to those on this and other sites for of their time and trouble in giving their insights, it's been very helpful to me. As a long-time fan of Leonard Cohen and in particular of the song I thought that I could throw in my two cents worth, to see if it strikes any chords with anyone.
One of the difficulties I think in trying to analyse lyrics is to avoid the human urge to achieve certainties. To me it's all a question of images, and the emotions and the mental pictures that they throw out. Thus for the "lock of your hair" it doesn't matter whether it's light hair or dark hair, or even hair at all, as it’s symbolic of a keepsake or memento.
So having said where I'm coming from, in my view of the song is that it's Cohen speaking to another side of his own character. Put simply, it's the possessive Cohen talking to the non-jealous, free and liberated Cohen. Possessive Cohen (PC) realises that in being the way he is, he has damaged the relationship which he has with Jane, as she felt stifled at times and wanted to return to the free Cohen (FC).
PC is saying that he and FC are a dichotomy; and in the first verse he is acknowledging this by talking to his other side. Perhaps FC existed in another place, and PC is saying that in returning to an old haunt he has reverted to the PC characteristics. The second verse using "deep in the desert" symbolises FC being far far away from the relationship at the moment, and perhaps combines with a feeling of self-justification to his "brother".
The chorus (third verse) with the lock of hair shows the symbolism of Jane returning from FC to PC, and bringing with her a part of the FC. FC acknowledged that the transition from PC to him was only temporary, and that he “left”, leaving only the PC to return. “Going clear” is a question asked by PC, wondering if he himself can ever again allow an element of freedom in his attitude to the relationship with Jane.
The "looking so much older" in the fourth verse suggests that it is a long time since Cohen himself allowed freedom to exist in the relationship, and he is possibly lamenting his possessive jealousy towards Jane. Is this because it is causing problems in the relationship at this time? The reference to the famous blue raincoat shows that things change (and the damage occurs to something that once was perfect) over time, and things can never be the same as they were before.
And this theme of never been able to go back is repeated in the fifth verse, "and when she came back she was nobody’s wife". This indicates that having seen FC, Jane could never tolerate fully the style of the PC. Whilst Jane at times may love the PC, and there are times she longs for the PC to allow her to be herself in the relationship.
The possession and selfishness comes out with the gypsy thief analogy -- PC is a frustrated because he now realises that FC has stolen away part of his partner, and that in the future she will want some of the FC to return.
The seventh verse (“she sends her regards”) is PC’s acknowledgement that the way he acts and behaves is not completely justified -- he realises that his selfishness is being unfair on Jane, and he acknowledges that her sake he is glad that FC dragged her away. This is the first acknowledgement of his love of Jane wanting to give her happiness at his (PCs) own expense. He acknowledges this in the eighth verse, where he states that his enemy is sleeping and that he is quite willing for FC to show himself to take Jane away to satisfy her emotionally. In the ninth verse he acknowledges he is selfishness "so I never tried"
In the final verse, used as a chorus, he again acknowledges that things can never be the same as they once were with Jane.
I hope that these musings may provide some entertainment or enlightenment.
My thanks to those on this and other sites for of their time and trouble in giving their insights, it's been very helpful to me. As a long-time fan of Leonard Cohen and in particular of the song I thought that I could throw in my two cents worth, to see if it strikes any chords with anyone.
One of the difficulties I think in trying to analyse lyrics is to avoid the human urge to achieve certainties. To me it's all a question of images, and the emotions and the mental pictures that they throw out. Thus for the "lock of your hair" it doesn't matter whether it's light hair or dark hair, or even hair at all, as it’s symbolic of a keepsake or memento.
So having said where I'm coming from, in my view of the song is that it's Cohen speaking to another side of his own character. Put simply, it's the possessive Cohen talking to the non-jealous, free and liberated Cohen. Possessive Cohen (PC) realises that in being the way he is, he has damaged the relationship which he has with Jane, as she felt stifled at times and wanted to return to the free Cohen (FC).
PC is saying that he and FC are a dichotomy; and in the first verse he is acknowledging this by talking to his other side. Perhaps FC existed in another place, and PC is saying that in returning to an old haunt he has reverted to the PC characteristics. The second verse using "deep in the desert" symbolises FC being far far away from the relationship at the moment, and perhaps combines with a feeling of self-justification to his "brother".
The chorus (third verse) with the lock of hair shows the symbolism of Jane returning from FC to PC, and bringing with her a part of the FC. FC acknowledged that the transition from PC to him was only temporary, and that he “left”, leaving only the PC to return. “Going clear” is a question asked by PC, wondering if he himself can ever again allow an element of freedom in his attitude to the relationship with Jane.
The "looking so much older" in the fourth verse suggests that it is a long time since Cohen himself allowed freedom to exist in the relationship, and he is possibly lamenting his possessive jealousy towards Jane. Is this because it is causing problems in the relationship at this time? The reference to the famous blue raincoat shows that things change (and the damage occurs to something that once was perfect) over time, and things can never be the same as they were before.
And this theme of never been able to go back is repeated in the fifth verse, "and when she came back she was nobody’s wife". This indicates that having seen FC, Jane could never tolerate fully the style of the PC. Whilst Jane at times may love the PC, and there are times she longs for the PC to allow her to be herself in the relationship.
The possession and selfishness comes out with the gypsy thief analogy -- PC is a frustrated because he now realises that FC has stolen away part of his partner, and that in the future she will want some of the FC to return.
The seventh verse (“she sends her regards”) is PC’s acknowledgement that the way he acts and behaves is not completely justified -- he realises that his selfishness is being unfair on Jane, and he acknowledges that her sake he is glad that FC dragged her away. This is the first acknowledgement of his love of Jane wanting to give her happiness at his (PCs) own expense. He acknowledges this in the eighth verse, where he states that his enemy is sleeping and that he is quite willing for FC to show himself to take Jane away to satisfy her emotionally. In the ninth verse he acknowledges he is selfishness "so I never tried"
In the final verse, used as a chorus, he again acknowledges that things can never be the same as they once were with Jane.
I hope that these musings may provide some entertainment or enlightenment.
real close!!!
real close!!!