leonardcohenforum.com

Posted: **Mon Jan 12, 2004 11:12 pm**

Hi all,
Does anyone know if Leonard sang Song of Bernadette and if so where it can be found? I belive he co-wrote it with Jenny but I could be wrong.

Kieron

Posted: **Mon Jan 12, 2004 11:43 pm**

Leonard has never performed this song.

Posted: **Tue Jan 13, 2004 4:05 am**

Hi Kieron,

There is a song "Bernadette" by Paul Simon from his album and musical Songs from the Capeman (1997). The co-author of the album lyrics is Derek Walcott.

Love, Susanne

Posted: **Tue Jan 13, 2004 6:09 am**

From Various Positions
One day while traveling through northern France, Warnes had showed Leonard a series of letters she had written about herself. When she was born, she was named Bernadette, but her mother later changed her name to Jennifer. Now she was writing to this earlier self, engaged in a search for her essential being. Cohen immediately thought there was a song there and began to compose: he wrote the lyrics and Warnes wrote the melody to “Song of Bernadette,” which she would later record on Famous Blue Raincoat

Posted: **Tue Jan 13, 2004 3:54 pm**

Hi Linda!

Thanks for that info! I wonder how long it took him to write the lyrics for Jennifer? Did it take him just a little time or did she have to wait "years" for it?

In either case, it was worth it. I would love to have Leonard write a song for me about my life.

Posted: **Tue Jan 13, 2004 4:44 pm**

Yes, and Jennifer's singing of it has a very melancholy, bittersweet quality. Beautiful.

Posted: **Tue Jan 13, 2004 7:52 pm**

Coco, obviously years:
one book says they wrote the song during 1979 tour (2nd Jennifer's with Leonard and last). Song came out on FBR in 1987 (recorded 1986). Jennifer worked with Leonard also on Various Positions sessions in 1985. But another book says they started with song already 1972 tour (1st Jennifer's with Leonard).
So, did they wrote it in few occasions, 15 years, or just 8 years?
I woildn't be surprised they work on both tour and few times more and finally finished it for album in 1986.

Posted: **Wed Jan 14, 2004 3:52 pm**

Hi Coco
You are welcome.
A song about my life, that might get to be quite long, and a little boring also, but I am willing to let him try.

Would it require afew sittings like a portrait? He could also do a portrait that would be fun.
I have always liked the Song of Bernadette and didn't know LC had anything to do with it until, I believe it was Kush, gave me a Jennifer Warnes recording and clued me in.

Posted: **Wed Jan 14, 2004 5:20 pm**

Hi Jarkko, Susanne, Linda, Coco, Lizzytish and Tom,
Many thanks for illuminating the mystery of why we couldn't find a recording of Lenny singing Song of Bernadette. It's been a topic of discussion in our house for a while (prompted by family named Bernadette). Fascinating to hear its about Jenny's life, We always interpreted the strong religious overtones in the song. As I am sure you all know St Bernadette was the young girl who saw the apparitions of Mary in Lourdes, France.
[There was a child named Bernadette, I heard the story long ago
She saw the Queen of Heaven once]

I'm gonna have to go back to the lyrics and once again not take anything for granted in Leonards writing.

Kieron

Posted: **Wed Jan 14, 2004 8:18 pm**

Hi Tom!

Thanks again! You know everthing!

Linda, anyone who is from Minnesota could never be boring!!!!

I like the idea about the sittings for a portrait. I would try to spin them out for as long as possible. He would have to keep saying, "Sit still, Coco!"

I bet it would all be very Zen and you wouldn't be allowed to speak while he worked.