Homage to Cohen.

The old man made me an orphan

When he stopped a bullet

He had no choice

It had his name on it

Only one year on

after my mother had gone

–

So I shut my heart, sealed my soul

Put my life on cruise control

Ending nowhere

Drifting north.

–

But you came one day, out of the east

Your hair flying,

Eyes dancing,

Half chancing

Forced my closed doors open

With your mesmerising waltz

–

It was a magnetic attraction

Instantaneous

Connection

A true line cannot lose direction

Complicated, yet so concise

You became the compass

In my life

Encompassing me

–

Moving south not caring much

I needed that magnetic touch,

Inspiration, not a crutch

To grab me by my shoulders

And to slowly turn me round

–

But you were mortal too

I cried I never knew

West you flew

But you had set me true

I put my black coat on.

And dance with you again

——

VERSION 2

The old man making me an orphan

Left his son, oath fulfilling, mum’s cruel killing

Going forth with the khaki boys

To revenge-less death

–

Falling, falling, an endless hole

I shut my heart, sealed my soul

Ending nowhere

Drifting down

–

But you came one day, out of the east

Your hair flying, eyes dancing, half chancing

Forced my closed doors open

With your mesmerising words

–

–Ch–

You had a magnetic attraction

A true north cannot lose direction

Instantaneous connection

So complicated, yet so concise

You became the compass

In my life

Encompassing me

–

Mine was a crooked path, heading south

I needed that lightest touch, not a crutch

To turn me round.

To turn me round

–

–Ch–

–

So you were mortal too

West you flew

But you had set me true

I put my black coat on

And dance with you again

–

Copyright: Rod de Lisle

——-

Version 1

My old man dying in the north

Left his son, wish fulfilling, while mum was chilling

Going with the young men

To adventuring death

Br1

My life became an empty hole

I shut my heart, sealed my soul

V2

You came one day, out of the east

Your hair flying, eyes dancing, half chancing

Forced my closed doors open

With your mesmerising words

C

Your smile was like a star’s attraction

A true line cannot lose direction

Instantaneous connection

So complicated, yet so concise

You became the compass

In my life.

V3

We saw the sky crux of the south

Night sailing, sword unsheathed, we barely breathed

on home seas returning

With the promise of a child

C

Your smile was like a star’s attraction

A true line cannot lose direction

Instantaneous connection

So complicated, yet so concise

You are the compass

In my life.

V4

Our sunset takes us to the west

Arms entwined, death horse prances, final answers

I put my black coat on

And I dance with you again

Br2

Cos you were mortal too

Though you never knew

Through the compass points of life

You flew,

You flew

C

Your smile was like a star’s attraction

A true line cannot lose direction

Instantaneous connection

So complicated, yet so concise

She was the compass

In my life.

–

Copyright: Rod de Lisle