Closing time

Sane Man · Post by **Sane Man** » Fri Dec 27, 2002 2:10 am

What do you think is "the awful truth" that can't be "revealed to the years of youth" and which "isn't worth a dime"?

What is he referring to with this line?

Einat · Post by **Einat** » Fri Dec 27, 2002 2:38 am

Sane Man · Post by **Sane Man** » Sat Dec 28, 2002 4:53 am

If you don't know how to translate it, could you at least try to explain what it means? Doesn't anyone else have thoughts or opinions on this?

peter danielsen · Post by **peter danielsen** » Sat Dec 28, 2002 11:07 pm

Maybe it has to do with that other line:

"a mighty expectation of relief"

In our young age we tend to believe that we will get there. That we will be able to feel comfort and take overview and relax. But it never happens.
The speaker who have just had another night of heartbreaking drinking knows this. He even salutes the awful fact, the awful truth.

Dispite the uptempo, "Closing time" is full off tornment and disgust.

Peter

Paula · Post by **Paula** » Sun Dec 29, 2002 12:29 am

What you say Peter makes a lot of sense. I was thinking about it and I deleted my previous post. When I thought it thru I took it to mean - this is it this is what life is about there are no hidden agenda you do just stumble from day to day you have high ideals in your youth and as you age you realise when you say "there must be more to life than this" actually there isn't.

But the young with their fresh approach still believe they think they can change the world climb mountains etc and then one morning you wake up and you realise not every one can do that just a few and the majority are just like me on a treadmill. I have really depressed myself now.

Maybe I am the only one on this board who doesn't wake in the morning and wonder what bit of me is going to ache the most today it is a shame we can't live our lives in reverse. It is true what they say youth is wasted on the young

peter danielsen · Post by **peter danielsen** » Sun Dec 29, 2002 2:33 am

If you need someone to comfort you, I will be here Paula.

Even though my body is still relatively firm and Im only 32, my heart is much older. Wiser?? As cohen once said:The older you get, the more lonesome you become, and the more deep love you need. Thats wisdom to me.

"and you'll carry me down on your
dancing, to the pools..."

You say you feel deep down thinking of lifes lack of 'meaning' but hey Paula, thats no way... let us sing our hearts out, lets join the order of the unified heart. Lets weep and laugh and weep and laugh about it all again.

Yours
as always
Peter

Paula · Post by **Paula** » Sun Dec 29, 2002 8:27 pm

Peter that is the best offer I have had all year

I am two weeks away from 50 so I think I was feeling a bit reflective/maudlin. The one good thing about getting older is you don't get depressed as much as you used to. I think the cells in the brain for worry and stress start dying. I think I am off on a tangent again another by-product

Any way you made me laugh. Cheers for that

Sane Man · Post by **Sane Man** » Sun Dec 29, 2002 11:50 pm

Interesting thoughts. When you put the line in the proper context it makes sense, and I must say that it's pretty much this way I always thought he meant it.

It's the tormenting fact that all youthful expectations for what will come, isn't worth a dime in comparison to the ability to take advantage of the presence and realize that the future in a way never comes. All we have is this moment; and all schemes, expectations and dreams beyond that are worthless when you're old and realizing that everything lie in the present and what you do with it. Perhaps also the despair in the mind of a young individual who is constantly chasing and envisioning the future and becoming obsessed with it - the present is all there is.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Wed Sep 29, 2004 11:41 pm

This is an old thread, but I've recently gotten acquainted with Cohen's more recent (post 70's) work through "The Essential Leonard Cohen" and I've really like "Closing Time" a lot, so I thought I'd add something.

I certainly wouldn't discourage deeper readings of a Cohen song , but I think "Closing Time" can be listened to very enjoyably and meaningfully as a marvelously good-humored lament about sexual decline accompanying male aging. He was in his late 50's when "The Future" came out after all. The fact that I am a 55 year old male could be relevant.

If the song did have a strong autobiographical component, I only hope that in later years he was able to get a This message has been classified as spam and will be deleted by the moderators reprieve from Closing Time.

David

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Wed Sep 29, 2004 11:50 pm

Welcome to the Forum, Dave

! It's great to see someone here from the almighty Nashville ~ where so much has occurred in the world of music through the years, including things that impacted Leonard and his world. Have you lived there long? At your age, if you've been there for some time, you should have seen a lot across time.

So,

. . . a marvelously good-humored lament about sexual decline accompanying male aging . . .

that's not deep enough?

I know what you're saying. It's definitely filled with humour and, perhaps, a 'lighter way' of viewing such a phenomena.

Never hesitate to bring forward any, old thread that's of interest to you

.

~ Lizzytysh

rick · Post by **rick** » Thu Sep 30, 2004 12:22 am

I'd agree with all of you. Aging, loss of sexual appetite and ability. He also says:

"And I loved you when our love was blessed
and I love you now there's nothing left
but sorrow and a sense of overtime"

Youth is wasted on the young indeed. They don't know that the beast will die but the longing will live on. Some name that longing "dirtly old men"! Sigh, we're just clinging to the beauty of youth, or at least to the beauty of the promise youth has.

jemima · Post by **jemima** » Thu Sep 30, 2004 6:10 pm

haha!!im 18,and have found this thread,whilst amusing and enlightening on the sing,throughly depressing!i have the realisation that i may not accompish everything(wheni was 5,i dreamed of having 5 kids,cilmb mount everest,and be a dr. and vet on a boat.i dont want any of those dreams now!!

)
but i kinda hope that i still hold on to that "nievity"of searching for that 'something more'.i dont want to ever lose that or have it eroded away by years of living.or im i just wasting my youth on my age?tell me,how could i make better use of my age?please help me

love you all,
jemima

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Thu Sep 30, 2004 7:24 pm

lizzytysh wrote:Welcome to the Forum, Dave ! It's great to see someone here from the almighty Nashville ~ where so much has occurred in the world of music through the years, including things that impacted Leonard and his world. Have you lived there long? At your age, if you've been there for some time, you should have seen a lot across time.

Thanks for the welcome. As for Nashville, I was born here and have lived here most of my life, but I haven't been a big participant in the "music scene". Though, I must say, you can hardly turn around without at least bumping into it.

David

rick · Post by **rick** » Thu Sep 30, 2004 7:25 pm

hi jemima! sorry we old ones have saddened you! as for your youth, enjoy it!

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Thu Sep 30, 2004 7:26 pm

" . . . how could i make better use of my age?"

Wow, what a question, with so many possible answers, Jemima! My immediate, 'single' thought on it is, "Take specific action on the dreams you have, when and while you have them. That's how they come to fruition, and you'll always know that you at least tried to achieve them. Even if you change your mind, you'll know exactly why. You may veer off due to something learned which dissuaded you, or toward something else discovered in the process. You may also find that, having taken the first and subsequent steps, you achieved them

. There's always space for more after that

.

I agree with what you said regarding always seeking toward something as we grow older. Very true.

~ Lizzy

Closing time

Closing time

The awful truth

Paula, Im still here

Closing Time