What of Leonard's songs are appropriate for children?

[A.Borissenko]

I was not introduced to Leonard Cohen by my parents, but had to discover** him for myself. And I am lucky to have found him at an early age... though sadly (and it's kind of ironic as I go to a school in Canada full of Jewish people.... and I am neither Canadian by birth nore Jewish as Leonard is) no one here, with ONE exception, and she was raised with Leonard Cohen as was discussed, likes Leonard Cohen music, and only a dozen or so ever heard of him.

I am lucky to have found him early in my life (I would call it just on time in the sence of when I would be able to understand or even handle some of the lyrics... but it appears that my generation is not a very great fan of music such as his...

If I take a look at the songs I own (I still only have the first 5 albums, but I am trying really hard to get some more ) I can probably get a list of about 6-8 that are appropriete for someone even younger than I am.

[Beccka]

I was not introduced to Leonard Cohen by my parents, but had to discover** him for myself. And I am lucky to have found him at an early age... though sadly (and it's kind of ironic as I go to a school in Canada full of Jewish people.... and I am neither Canadian by birth nore Jewish as Leonard is) no one here, with ONE exception, and she was raised with Leonard Cohen as was discussed, likes Leonard Cohen music, and only a dozen or so ever heard of him.

I am lucky to have found him early in my life (I would call it just on time in the sence of when I would be able to understand or even handle some of the lyrics... but it appears that my generation is not a very great fan of music such as his...

If I take a look at the songs I own (I still only have the first 5 albums, but I am trying really hard to get some more ) I can probably get a list of about 6-8 that are appropriete for someone even younger than I am.

Hi Andrei -

I'm curious as to what standards you are using for judging appropriateness for children. (Assuming by children we're talking about five, six, seven-year-olds - about the age kids really start to question what something means.) I tend to think my standards are pretty conservative and I can think of more songs than that. Then again, I do have a specific child in mind in creating this mix, so I could be off for general population.

Also, I think it's very cool that you enjoy Cohen's early work - I was raised with his music, but I didn't start to appreciate his earlier stuff until I was out of high school...I'd listen to it, but given a choice I'd take "I'm Your Man" or "The Future" over anything else.

[A.Borissenko]

Hi Beccka,

I personally believe that any song of Leonards would be alright for children to listen to, but, I was in that post talking about songs that one can fully explain to children which are, from my own standpoint rated "G" yet still hold meaning for everyone.

Though often a "half-explanation" can be used (Not lying! just only talk about half of the song ) and that gives way for about 20 out of the first 45 or so songs.

[Beccka]

Andrei -

thanks for the clarification. I can see what you mean, especially in terms of 'half-explaining' songs. Children are often very literal creatures...explaining something like "I love you in the morning/our kisses deep and warm" can be easily done without getting into details that would be inappropriate and far beyond a child's experience!

[hydriot]

In this age when the so-called leader of the free world is obsessed with regime-change, it should be mandatory to play 'The Story of Isaac' in all schools.

"You who build these altars now to sacrifice these children: you must not do it any more. Your dream is not a vision and you never had been tempted by a demon or a god."