The Poet Of Rock 'n Roll

[witty_owl]

A couple of weeks ago I picked up a book from my local library "Leonard Cohen" (In every style of passion) by Jim Devlin. Yesterday while reading the text of the book, inspiration sparked an idea for a song as homage to Leonard; so here it is.

The Poet Of Rock 'n Roll

(1) From Montreal to Hydra.
Through London, Berlin, L.A.
The stories of the street are his.
Icy altitudes carved his way.

(2) Around the world across the land
Plying his six strings
Holds an audience in his hands
With the lyrical spells he sings.

(Chorus)
Crowded halls were wooed and wowed.
As he drew those curtain calls
Piece by piece he bared his soul.
The sharp poet of rock 'n roll.

(3) Sun drenched isles, turquoise bays
Ouzo, cheese and wine
The calling to have life renewed
To nurture family of a kind.

(4) The service on the misty mount
The lure of boogie street
The contradictions life reveals
The taste bitter and the sweet.

Chorus.

(5) The critics and those analysts
Interpret, presume, compare
Anticipate the next big work
While he labours with vision so rare.

(Bridge) Crafted with the utmost care; honesty so few may dare.

(6) Words of love, concerns of hate
The anguish that drives art
He lays it on the printed page
Or sings it from the heart.

(7) The studio or concert hall
The field commander sways
With Army or the solo call
Those magic spells he plays

© J.W. 2004.

If anyone is interested in trying to sing this, let me know and I'll post a version with the chords. It is in Aminor, common time, finger style, acoustic.

Cheers, Witty Owl.

[lizzytysh]

EXCELLENT!!! Way to go, Witty Owl ~ it's tremendous ! You were definitely inspired

I would love to hear it sung! I'd also say it's a good idea you have that copyright "c" attached to your posting of it. It's a beautiful tribute to Leonard, his work, and the choices he's made.

Thanks very much for sharing it with us . Making him the "Poet" of Rock 'n' Roll at least makes people putting him in that genre tolerable .

~ Elizabeth

[witty_owl]

Liz, thanks for the positive response. I only hope the complete song does him justice.
To clarify a few details:- sources.
The title "The poet of rock 'n roll" comes from posters for 1976 concerts promoting his live shows.
"Icy altitudes" - a phrase borrowed from Joni Mitchell from her Hejira album. The reference/ link should be self explanatory.
The references to some of Leonard's songs and associates should be obvious to anyone who knows his work/life.

The rest I think is my own interpretation. Any other borrowed references would be unconscious. The music is entirely my own invention. The chord structure bears no resemblance to Leonard's work but the vocals are deliberately low in register and slightly monotone to evoke his spirit.

Cheers, Witty.

[lizzytysh]

Yeah, I remember seeing some 'photos' [on Internet] of old posters with that on it, too. Thanks for all that clarification. I think Hejira is one of Joni's that I don't have.....however, specific images were invoked with "icy altitudes." Yes, I got the references you wove so expertly into it. I hope you'll include this tribute song on the next cd you make. I'd love to hear it!

~ Lizzy

[Andrew (Darby)]

Elizabeth (and anyone else interested in hearing this inspirational tribute song), now you may: all you have to do is drop 'down under' - gravity assistance makes it a lot cheaper - for our Toowoomba LC Birthday Celebration on 25th/26th September!

Yes indeed, Witty Owl is going to be one of our guest performers at the event and I'm certainly encouraging him to perform his tribute song then - perhaps it will be its premier public performance! Of course, he will be doing a bunch of LC's songs as well!

As you can see, I'm happy about this development - from my organising perspective, it's exciting to provide this marvellous opportunity for everyone in attendance to hear Witty Owl perform this great tribute song on such a significant occasion!

Cheers
Andrew (Darby)

[lizzytysh]

And, if it weren't for Hydra and Berlin ~ and compelling situations in my life at the moment ~ I'd be right there in the audience!!!

I hope your turnout is as it should be, Andrew and Witty ~ growing every year and a large, appreciative crowd, including Leonard newcomers!

Love,
Lizzy

[witty_owl]

It is now only a little over 2 weeks till the Toowoomba event as I increase the frequency of song rehearsals with eager anticipation and some trepidation. And yes "The Poet Of Rock 'n Roll" will make its premier public performance at the event.
So rarely am I able to perform Leonard's songs at gigs that I look forward to this unique opportunity. Such a contrast to doing pop/rock songs at pubs and parties.
To those who may attend- see you at Toowoomba!

Cheers, Witty Owl.

[Andrew McGeever]

Dear Witty-owl,
Your "Poet Of Rock 'n Roll" is a strong, passionate lyric. It deserves it's debut in Toowoomba!
Good luck, and let us all know how you got on.
You will be in good company with the L.C. mob from Oz
Andrew.

[witty_owl]

Thanks Andrew for your vote of confidence. And yes I shall deliver a report after the event. I still have much to do by way of preparations as I have a ~2,000 km journey ahead of me in 2 weeks to get to Toowoomba. The excitement is building for this old owl because it is many years now since I have attempted such a journey. I look forward to travelling through this country as much as the event on the 25th.
Cheers, Witty Owl.

[Andrew (Darby)]

Bravo Bravo to you for your heart felt tribute to Leonard and for doing your premier public performance of it at our Toowoomba event - I count it a privilege that you saw fit to do this!

Thank you also for the huge effort you made and the personal cost you bore to get to us 2000 km each way is some commitment!

I know you're going to relax now (camping) so I hope you really enjoy this and have a safe journey all the way back home (to South Australia)!

Cheers
Andrew (Darby)

[Andrew McGeever]

Dear Andrew, (that's you, not me)
Thanks for the post!
Congratulations to Witty-owl for delivering such a strong song, so far away!
I, like you, am delighted
Andrew.

[lizzytysh]

Dear Andrew ~

Upon this, the occasion
Of your 400th post;
I've clicked with pleasure,
To see what
You have to say.

Postings of substance,
Serious sharing.
Poetry instructor
Of olde .

Once in awhile,
Just a tad silly,
You're a delight,
No matter the mode.

Lover of numbers,
You deserve recognition,
For your steadfast & studied
Accumulation
Of words.

You left for awhile
And now have returned
'Tis so great
What you bring
To our worlde.

Now, as I depart
I need you,
I need you .
My poetry skills
They're so poor.

You shan't ask again,
Why I stick to prose.
Or your teaching
Will hence be restored.

The rest here will suffer;
It's simply not fair
I'll take all of your time
And need more.

Now, you have much work ahead of you, trying to whip those lines above into shape. With no continuity in pattern, with the numbers of lines or rhythm; and rhymes that barely scrape by, if at all ~ the only thing you can rightfully say is, "Well, at least she wrote it from the heart; and she's never laid claim to poet laureate. She meant well." As I break every known rule , I simply wanted to depart from my norm [quickly ~ before #400 became #401] to let you know I'm glad you came, and I'm glad you're still here .

My love to you, my friend, at your 400th post. You're one of the reasons I feel so graced by this site. You bring a serious and considered perspective that I've always enjoyed. You've brought jewels of poetry honouring Leonard, and others as precious that haven't. I like your seriousness and your commitment.

Love,
Yer Elizabeth