The Window

[Diane]

I enjoyed your article, Doron, thank you. It and this thread has made me realise that the lines,

But climb on your tears and be silent
Like a rose on its ladder of thorns

means climbing through the tears; using them as rungs of a metaphorical ladder in order to reach silence (rather than sitting on them mutely, which is what I had implicitly taken it to mean), which makes much more sense in the song's context.

(And as you mentioned WB Yeats, I am reminded of the lines, "Now that my ladder’s gone, I must lie down where all ladders start, In the foul rag-and-bone shop of the heart.")

Tineke, regarding your original question,

For the holy one dreams of a letter
Dreams of a letter's death
Oh bless thee continuous stutter
Of the word being made into flesh

In addition to what others have said, these lines may also allude to poetry itself being the "stutter", or halting translation, of wordless inner-knowing; the "truth" being made human. That's especially so if you view poetry (rather than, or as well as religion) as the language-vehicle of spirituality and as such, the way that letters can be formed in order to"die".

[DBCohen]

Mat,

I liked your interpretation: the “word” as the first moment of creation, and its “death” as returning to the source. In the Lurianic Kabbalah too, the ideal is to gather up all the sparks of the divine light and lift them back to their source, which would restore the original situation before creation, and in fact would make creation as we know it redundant (is this a utopia or dystopia? Depends on your philosophical outlook, I expect).

Diane,

Thank you for your kind words, for your quotation from Yeats, and for the interpretation that those words in the song can also allude to poetry; this adds another, dipper dimension to the song.

Unfortunately, we now have two discussions going on, on two separate threads, both titled “The Window”; I guess it can’t be helped, but that’s why I recommended once to continue existing threads rather than start new ones whenever possible…

[Inna]

Doron

Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your article. An analysis of such depth of Cohen's recurring motifs and specifically of one of his most unique songs "The Window" has enriched my Cohen experience even more. Your work reminded me of Yeats and of his impact on Cohen and made me reread Yeats, particularly the poems you are referring to.
In other words, thank you so much for sharing your deep and enticing interpretation.

[DBCohen]

Inna,

Thank you very much for your kind words.

[Lilifyre]

I know I haven't been around posting on the forum much lately, but Leonard and his music is never far from my thoughts. This morning I received an advertizement/email from from a company specializing in Judaica. One item they are offering, suggested as a gift for a kindergarten graduation, caught my attention. It immediately reminded me of Leonard's song, "The Window". It can be viewed here:
http://www.judaism.com/gif-bk/41027a.gif

In particular, it seemed to illustrate to me the verse that says:
Then lay your rose on the fire
The fire give up to the sun
The sun give over to splendour
In the arms of the high holy one
For the holy one dreams of a letter
Dreams of a letter's death
Oh bless thee continuous stutter
Of the word being made into flesh

Just thought I'd share it will all.

Hope all are well and safe from the horrendous weather around the globe lately.

Lili

[akavisha]

i'm glad i joined this forum , so many interesting views.. i didnt realize so many people like this song as much as i do.

[Roitorhazahav]

“Dreams of a letter's death” means the union with the Keter in the Divine Essence.
That letter is the last “He” of Iod, He, Vav, He. The four letters of God’s name.. The union of the present, the first “He” , with the future, “Iod” , through life “Vav”, then the final letter’s death, that is the second He” when you pass and your soul join the Divine Essence for ever. This is only possible previously joining the other side of your Soul. Your Keter…