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It's not so much about picking up on Leonard's phrasing [though it does reveal the real truth in the way he said it], but rather being more conscious of Leonard's nature. Leonard acquiesced to Ron's claims, rather than argue about it. Leonard is already being forced to deal with more legalese and conflict with regard to Kelley [with whom he tried to avoid it] than he wants, and has no desire to steep himself in other matters. As near as I've been able to determine, fans bringing this to the fore, is what highlighted this issue and brought them together.

Leonard's idea of a lovely path is one that leads to a monastery, not a courtroom. He would rather speak with Roshi than an attorney. He would rather just renew an old friendship with Ron, and 'let it go' with regard to the latter's desires to lay claim, than to become immersed in adversity. It's Leonard's nature ~ or haven't you noticed? It's not that difficult to discern.

I'll never accept or believe that Ron Cornelius co-wrote this song. It's Leonard's song and Leonard wrote it. Leonard tactfully, graciously, and gracefully acquiesced.

~ Elizabeth

"I said, Let it go."

Familiar quote. Was it when his first manager stole him rights to Suzanne, or was it when Spector run with master tapes of Death Of A Ladies' Man?...

"I said, Let it go."

Exactly. Leonard does not have a combative or contentious nature. As to which, on the two scenarios, probably both... just as with Kelley, and now with Ron.

TWENTY-TWO


Yield and overcome;
Bend and be straight;
Empty and be full;
Wear out and be new;
Have little and gain;
Have much and be confused.

Therefore wise men embrace the One
And set an example to all.
Not putting on a display,
They shine forth.
Not justifying themselves,
They are distinguished.
Not boasting,
They receive recognition.
Not bragging,
They never falter.
They do not quarrel,
So no one quarrels with them.
Therefore the ancients say, "Yield and overcome."
Is that an empty saying?
Be really whole,
And all things will come to you.

~ Lao Tsu
Tao Te Ching

Many translations are out there, and some of their phrasings within it, I like better; yet this is still the essence. An example is with the last, two lines that could also read:

"The saying of the Old Ones, 'Yield and Overcome,' is not an empty phrase.
True wholeness is achieved by blending with life."

There's much to learn from Lao Tsu's words and Leonard's example. It's a process that can be difficult to trust; yet, as we watch what he does, and how he reacts, Leonard seems to have genuinely mastered this trust.

Excerpt from The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame Presentation Ceremony:

"We shuffle behind our songs into the hall of fame, shuffle awkwardly, not quite believing that we wrote them but happy that you do," says a teary-eyed and emotional Cohen, who wipes his eyes with a cloth.

~ Lizzy

They do not quarrel,
So no one quarrels with them.

Oh, yeah. Seems to me plenty of people in his life have quarreled with him. A few steal from him. How did he get that kind of Karma if he's as perfect as you picture him.

I will admit his zen training stood him in good stead when he composed his Cornelius memo. It's careful ambiguity made me laugh.

YdF

I don't see Leonard as perfect, never have. When I read these lines, however, I see a lot of him in them... not every single word or phrase, but enough to comment as I did.

You were looking for a laugh, anyway.


~ Lizzy

There's much to learn from Lao Tsu's words and Leonard's example. It's a process that can be difficult to trust; yet, as we watch what he does, and how he reacts, Leonard seems to have genuinely mastered this trust.

This made me laugh too.



YdF

That was already tied in with your first comment.

For Lizzy, inspired by your unswerving devotion to your Idol.

Let it be Known

Should the Sun crash
down from the brazen sky,
And the Moon poke a finger
in it's silver eye;
Or the Sea rise up
to swamp the land,
While the Stars dim out
from their candlestands,
Let it Be Known,
that if alone among dying men,
and dying creatures, kith and kin,
If only St. Leonard breathes and lives,
All's Right With The World,
I just know it is!


YdF

I accept this with all the graciousness, gratitude, and love in my heart, YdF. Beautifully spoken.

It will soon be displayed in my environment. Did you write it yourself or adapt it from something else?


~ Lizzy

You're welcome Lizzytysh. Yes, I wrote it in a blaze of oneness with the universe.

However, it's my Swan Song. I'm packing it in.


Adieu,


YdF

Dear YdF ~

As you depart, in another blaze of Oneness with the Universe, you will never be gone, as Oneness remains.

As exits go, however, it's a Swanlike graceful one.

See you when you get back [I know you will ... hopefully, you'll speak, so we know when ].


~ Lizzy

Just thought I'd mention that a soundboard recording of "Chelsea Hotel" (#1) from Israel 1972 is now available at the FTP server mentioned elsewhere in this forum.

The sound quality is excellent. Leonard introduces the song by saying "Here's a new song that we just wrote a couple of weeks ago ..." and mentions the girl at Chelsea Hotel.

Did you note credits & copyrights for Chelsea Hotel #2 in Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man soundrack?

Tom,

Yes, I did! -- and subsequently updated the Wikipedia page on New Skin for the Old Ceremony.

Speaking of Came So Far for Beauty -- do you know if there is any lossless concert recording out there? I have a rather poor MP3 set, where the music sounds great but the audio rather so-so (it's now on the FTP server).