leonardcohenforum.com

Hello,

I’m working on a paper for discourse analysis and I want to write something about the Dutch translation of Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen, the live version (also covered by Jeff Buckley).
The problem is that the sentence I want to translate contains a word that’s not correct English, and thus cannot correctly be translated into an other language.
I’ve read several interpretations, and I would like to know what you think of this sentence. How should one interpret it? Is it really about killing someone, is it about cheating, whatever?
I’m talking about this sentence:

All I ever learned from love was how to shoot somebody who outdrew you

(outdrew is the non-existing word)

Please write down your interpretation, I think it would be very useful. Thanks a lot!

Wildrose- Thats tough...
Outdrew is actually a member of the English language
Outdraw/ vt-drew
1. To surpass in drawing power : attract a larger audience or following than
2. To draw a handgun more quickly than

My take would be
"All I ever learned from love is how to trust someone who has fooled you"
Good luck sir

Hi Wild Rose ~

Wonderful to see you here , and long time, no see ! You're very busy by the sounds of it.

My explanation is slightly different than Epurcelly's. First, it definitely doesn't have to do with literally shooting/killing someone. It's simply a metaphor. I don't discount Ep's interp, at all, but for me, it's more along the lines of, "All I ever learned from love, is how to get taken for a fool [the seemingly 'unpreventable' part of it ~ the gun's already been drawn faster, it's in the past tense now], and still manage to walk away with your pride, sense of your whole self, or whatever. It's like 'shooting back' ["shooting at"] is a way of having 'the last word' ~ but the last word is more like, "You didn't really hurt me; I'll survive; I'll be fine; don't worry about me; I'll [be able to] find love again" ~ a way of recouping your dignity. It's hard to express it literally [and feel certain that you're correct, as well ].

Leonard's words are so tricky, in that they come to you in the song, carried by the music and melody, and "whoosh" into your 'magnetic field' of 'understanding.' Then, when you try to capture the 'wind' and break it down literally, as to what those words he chose to express a concept, that it really begins to get difficult. It all, somehow, begins to elude you, like you're trying to catch a shadow.

I hope between the two of us, and anyone else who may end up giving you an answer, you've been helped [at least slightly ]. I think the shading that comes with Ep's is meritable, too, and may take what I've said even deeper.

Great to see you !

~ Elizabeth

It could also mean some got in first with the breakup just before he was going to finish it.

Right, Paula, right!!! Hmmm......tough, Wild Rose, see what I mean?

Epurcellys meanings for outdrew I agree with...in reference to shooting it means they have their gun (weapon) out and ready before you do.

I guess I relate more to Paula's interpretation...its like saying all I ever learnt from love is how to get someone, once you've realised that they are already going to get you and have the advantage.

How you 'get' them could be to hurt them or split up with them, or cheat on them or whatever. But the analogy is that they've drawn their weapon first and you have to 'shoot' them.

I wish my studies were this interesting!

I always took this as having a more literal meaning - but not related to firearms - meaning how to get at/deal with the person with whom your lover cheated on you or someone who got to the one you wanted to seduce before you did.
Good grief - that sounds a bit convoluted - does it make sense? I'll check this when my system has been topped up to the required level of caffeine and nicotine - right now my eyes are hardly open.
Jo