"Alexandra Leaving" is a song that I'm listening to a few times a day driving to and from work. It's by Leonard Cohen and was evidently inspired by this poem by a Greek Poet, Constantine P. Cavafy
"The God Forsakes Antony"
When suddenly, at the midnight hour,
An invisible troupe is heard passing
With exquisite music, with shouts --
Your fortune that fails you now, your works
That have failed, the plans of your life
That have all turned out to be illusions, do not mourn in vain.
As if long prepared, as if courageous,
Bid her farewell, the Alexandria that is leaving.
Above all do not be fooled, do not tell yourself
It was a dream, that your ears deceived you;
Do not stoop to such vain hopes.
As if long prepared, as if courageous,
As it becomes you who have been worthy of such a city,
Approach the window with firm step,
And with emotion, but not
With the entreaties and complaints of the coward,
As a last enjoyment listen to the sounds,
The exquisite instruments of the mystical troupe,
And bid her farewell, the Alexandria you are losing.
Constantine P. Cavafy (1911)
And here are the lyrics to Leonard Cohen's song, which I read to be quite different - a song about the end of life or the end of love or perhaps both:
"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 firm 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.
Tim
Update: See
this version of the Cavafy poem for some helpful historical background.
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