Dear Heather Lyrics

jurica · Post by **jurica** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 12:00 pm

peter danielsen wrote: Some people say
It’s what we deserve
For sins against g-d
For crimes in the world
I wouldn’t know

a. "Some people" could be understood as the Al qaida net, allthough it has been stated also by some leftwing intellectuals that the west is responsible ( and especially the US) for "crimes in the world", and "sins against g-d"

...i think it's 'left wing intellectuals'. it makes more sense to me.

Midnight · Post by **Midnight** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 2:51 pm

"Did You Report " = The Firefighters and the Police Officers who entered the towers when everyone else was going crazy and running for their lives in the opposite direction.

IMNSHO

peter danielsen · Post by **peter danielsen** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 3:03 pm

Concerning the taking side theme one should also consider the symbols in another song from dear heather, namely The faith:

A cross on every hill
A star, a minaret
So many graves to fill
O love, aren’t you tired yet?

The symbols of the 3 main religions, and so many graves to fill.

Peter

linmag · Post by **linmag** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 3:27 pm

Thanks to everyone for your thoughtful responses. Without hearing the song, I'm reluctant to try to dig too deep into it yet. I think "did you report" probably is an invitation to examine whether the listener took sides, either on the day or later. 'Holding the fort' for me often has a sense of something beleaguered, of someone coping with a situation, but only just and only in the short-term.

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 3:32 pm

I like VERY, VERY much your interpretation, Midnight. I'm wondering, now, if the 'take you to court' might be an alluding to the victims and the compensation/sueing that followed, along with whatever other meaning there might be with it. Your interpretation of those two lines, however, creates a vivid image that remains very solidly rooted in the context of that day, alone, aside from all that followed. It gets very deep inside that very morning, an implicit, non-political tribute to the victims and our heroes, through its inclusion. [Maybe even a way of speaking to them 'personally,' by asking the question ~ i.e. "Were you there?" That seems an unlikely possibility, but still remains a possibility.] It seems an insightful reading of the lines [and one that I hope holds true ~ somewhere in there ~ with Leonard's intent]. After looking at it from that perspective, it seems 'obvious,' too ~ but it sure hasn't been 'obvious' to me for two days now. I think others' responses may be true, as well, with regard to taking a stand, etc. Leonard is so adept at getting the most possible out of a lyric. How do you read the, "I won't take you to court" that precedes it?

I'm glad you haven't answered this yet because I'd forgotten to ask what the"NS" stands for, in what appears to be "In My N..... S...... Humble Opinion."

~ Lizzy

Midnight · Post by **Midnight** » Fri Sep 17, 2004 7:43 am

In My Not So Humble Opinion

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Fri Sep 17, 2004 3:35 pm

A-Ha

!

Thanks for that elucidation, Midnight. Have you considered the possibilities for what "I won't take you to court" may be referring to?

Midnight · Post by **Midnight** » Fri Sep 17, 2004 8:26 pm

Hi Lizzytysh, I think you're making this too hard. "I won't take you to court" = He's not going to hold it against you if you went crazy on that day.

Plus it rhymes with fort and report.

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Fri Sep 17, 2004 11:10 pm

Well, as I'm recalling, that was one of the possibilities I'd considered for that line. However, even for Leonard's most straightforward albums, Leonard can always be deceptively simple, so I never fear making anything too hard when it involves anything/everything he could have meant. Of course, how could he "hold it against" you for going crazy [per your interpretation, "running for your life" from horror, tragedy, and more perceived/real danger]?

ForYourSmile · Post by **ForYourSmile** » Sun Sep 19, 2004 7:31 pm

It's for me an honor belong to this site and to be able to read now the lyrics.

Another good reason to be here is for to share the Cohen's work with another people interested in him. If I could write better in English, I would fill more pages that Lizzytysh - not better - only telling my sensations.

To speak about sensations is risky. In this case we lack the music, the environment, the emphasis on a word...

I believe that Cohen communicates to me very directly his deeper feelings with beauty and sincerity. [It's the best definition of ART that I know]. But, are this the same that another person perceives? The good poem can have more than one reading, all can be valid and I can be wrong. This way, I can write only my perception.

For continuing the thread of the topic, I will speak about On That Day.

I think that the Cohen's political and social ideas aren't mine. I respect and I am interested in them, but I don't share them. I was afraid that he would said: "I told you, I told you: I've seen the Future, brother, it is murder" it has not been like that.

That frightful tragedy probably was not the worse that we have lived. In any way it is the one that we have attended, directly together. The feelings are common and join us. Since you have said, these fractions of images in TV that repeat again and again form a part of a nightmare in which we are all together. Close to us, Cohen. USA people or not it's not mater.

"Some people say..." useless explanations, punishment Why? For our sins, our crimes. They envy for our wives, slaves and gold.
"I'm just holding the fort..." Impotence, I cannot go out. Cohen is uncomfortable as spectator in the safe fort. He is a man of action, brave, he went to Cuba and to Yom Kippur war.
Ultimately he asks us directly, wants to imply us though: "I won't take you to count: Did you go crazy or did you report". Did you pass or took note? Why this report? For me the Lizzytysh's possibilities are good. Maybe for remember, or for revenge

. I don't know. Lizzytysh, don't worry, we cannot know it exactly, they are words that produce sensations to us.

I am interested very much in other songs where I perceive the nostalgia of the sunset. It isn't an innovation in Cohen. We all will go. This is the better way to think about it: from his poetry and his special humor.

A friend said to me in fun: "better that we should lose the passion before that the strength".

Well, I expect to have my desire and curiosities intact until the end.

Tchocolatl · Post by **Tchocolatl** » Sat Sep 25, 2004 2:31 am

jurica wrote:
peter danielsen wrote: Some people say
It’s what we deserve
For sins against g-d
For crimes in the world
I wouldn’t know

a. "Some people" could be understood as the Al qaida net, allthough it has been stated also by some leftwing intellectuals that the west is responsible ( and especially the US) for "crimes in the world", and "sins against g-d"
...i think it's 'left wing intellectuals'. it makes more sense to me.

Yes indeed. But Mr. Paradox rides again. I explain myself. No long after the event I received by e-mail, like everybody I know, some messages from some right wing of I don't remimber which US religious congregations : "Repent for your sins", "This is God punishment for not following the commands" and so on and so on...

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Sat Sep 25, 2004 2:54 am

Yes, Tchocolatl ~

There was a definite, conservative, organized-religion interpretation to the events out there, in the sense that you are saying it, and that Leonard includes in his song.

~ Lizzy

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 5:23 pm

It started the day that the "Dear heather" lyrics were posted, and it has not stopped. Whatever I am doing; taking my dog for a walk; cooking; having a shower; logging onto my computer in work; 1000 times a day I find myself singing....

"I was dancin' with my darlin'
to the Tennessee waltz....."

It's driving me crazy, not to mention everyone in hearing distance. I hope this demon will be exorcised when I get to hear the cd!
Rob.

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 5:34 pm

I always loved that song as a child. It's one of those that you can either really twang up, or slow down to a very meaningful delivery. It is definitely a tune that sticks in your head! Let us know whether your condition worsens or improves

.

linmag · Post by **linmag** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 4:43 pm

I was never very familiar with the original song, but I know from his intros to it that he has written additional material. I'm not quite certain which bit(s) is(are) his, but I like his version very much, and am looking forward to having a legitimate live recording of it. Either his addition to the song was perfectly in the spirit of the original, and blends in seamlessly, or I'm hopelessly inept at spotting the join.