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I am currently working on a painting, which is based on Leonard Cohen's song 'The Gypsy's Wife'. It's kind of in the Orientalist style, moody, atmospheric, whatever. But, I'm trying to capture the "essence" of the gypsy wife, and there are, of course, a myriad of ways to represent her. So I thought I would throw this out to you guys for ideas/inspiration. Tell me, how do you, personally interpret the lines:

"....but whose head is this, she's dancing with on the threshing floor, whose darkness deepens in her arms just a little more..."

and

"....a ghost climbs on the table, in a bridal negligee......" (Is the ghost the actual gypsy's wife, or someone else?)

Just interested to hear different takes on these lines.

I have Cohen, the man himself, younger, seated on the floor looking upwards, so far. That's all I've got sketched out as of yet. Any help or input is appreciated!

Love, Rain

Ummmm....did I offend? With these types of questions, I mean?

Hi Rain,

I doubt if you offended anyone! I think with the tour going on, perhaps people are preoccuppied with other threads?

I don't normally try to decipher Leonard's lryics, but since he himself has said that the song was about his dissolving "marriage," and about how men and women lose each other (or something to that effect), my guess on the ghost in the bridal negligee line would be that, yes, the ghost is the gypsy's wife, representing the "death" of the marriage (just a guess!). The fact that the gypsy's wife is dancing with someone else (with a severed head? ) maybe means that she has moved on, and/or she is trying to hurt the gypsy by letting him see her with other men? The gypsy's wife seems to me to be a rather vindictive bitch!

Thanks!

I just thought I had said something REALLY wrong, or everybody was thinking "Well, isn't it obvious what he's talking about?" and thought it was a silly question. But that's the thing with Cohen, his lines can be interpreted several ways---that's the beauty of poetry--the splendid elusiveness of it--especially HIS verses......

I thought that the ghost on the table could also be love itself--eluding Cohen. As far as "dancing with somebody's head", it could be literal--like Salome, or it could be playing mind games with someone....

So I was just trying to get different opinions. I could paint the ghost very vague, only loosely resembling a woman, or as a specter with no form....there's a zillion possibilities. I haven't decided yet and I'm kind of in a "painter's block"--can't paint any further at the moment (very frustrating).

Thanks for the response, and yes, if the gypsy's wife is dancing with a severed head---yikes! THAT would make a very Goya-esque painting! Or Francis Bacon.........very interesting idea.

--Rain

See, that's why I don't usually try to decipher Leonard's poetry! Your own assessment is much more insightful! I've never been any good at deciphering poetry (if it is even possible, and I have my doubts), but I've always loved it (especially Leonard's), I love the myriad images and emotions that it conjures! I find that the same poems/lyrics can mean different things to me at different times, and so perhaps there is no one right answer as to what they mean (in fact, I like to think that there is no one right answer!). So, you could probably paint several paintings based on The Gypsy's Wife! (That may cure your painter's block! Or not...)

Good luck!
Lisa

Hi Lisa and Rain
Interesting thread--and loved what you said Lisa. A good definition of good art. That it means different things to different people and different things to the same person at different periods of their lives. Rain, I find that people often do not respond to particular threads here, because it is a community, and I believe (I may be wrong), that although they welcome newcomers, it takes some doing to become a part of the community. If they don't know you, they don't respond to the post. I think also that there has been much discussion on certain topics, and if a newer person brings up that topic, some of the elders may just feel that they have been there and done that...Anyway that is my interpretation of the lack of response.

Or, perhaps, like me, they don't know the answer and are waiting for others to enlighten them.

La Philosophie dans le Boudoir, 1947

Interesting image, neo, on that last post. I can see where this would fit the song, abstractly. Or maybe not so abstractly......very vivid image.

When I read your first post Rain, I remembered that painting and was astonished that it fit so well to some of the text.
The ghost on the table... the ghost in the negligee..

Hi Rain,

I don't know if you have finished or how far along you are with your painting but this might be helpful if you still need it. I was just watching an old scratchy, grainy video of the film "I Am A Hotel" which Leonard was involved in. I don't know if you have seen it. In it he played the 'resident guest' at the hotel and his songs were sung throughout with himself and other actors playing their parts to them. Amongst these songs was The Gypsy's Wife. It might help you to look at it because of the imagery shown of this song. Just a thought. I think it is still on YouTube.

If you are really stuck just PM me and I can help.

Bev

B4Real,

Many thanks! I will take a look at that and see where it takes me.......

--Rain

Hi again Rain,

See if this gives you any more ideas -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XulxCZCB5zw
It is a dance company called Malashock Dance with their version of The Gypsy Wife. An unusual and individual interpretation I would say.

also have a look at this -
http://www.hospart.co.uk/New-Artwork.php
It is a selection of paintings by David Waterman based on Leonard's lyrics. Included is The Gypsy's Wife.

So interesting that everyone has a different way of seeing Leonard's lines, whether it is visual or otherwise.

B4Real,

Sorry I didn't get on here until now, my life is INSANE at the moment. Anyway, thanks for these links....they have helped. I think everything is going to conglomerate together in my head...hopefully it will translate to my canvas with some tolerable coherence.....

Thanks again!

--Rain

Rain wrote:B4Real,

Many thanks! I will take a look at that and see where it takes me.......

--Rain

Hi Rain,

I have just seen your painting in the News section and wondered if it was the result of the above quote or another one inspired by the same song.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=27271#p279054

You have captured the feeling of despair with unsaturated colours, spatial awareness and the despondent pose of the raven.
I don't think I would alter or add much to it - imo - In this case, less is more. You should be pleased. I would love to see more of your paintings.

Bev