Alexandra Leaving

 Leonard Cohen and Sharon Robinson
 
  An oustanding sing from "10 New Songs". The moody duet
 arrangement there is difficult to forget when playing
 the song yourself.
   
 G                             Em
 Suddenly the night has grown colder.
 D                   C      D      G
 The god of love preparing to depart.
 G                          Em
 Alexandra hoisted on his shoulder
 C                              D          G
 They slip between the sentries of the heart.
 
 
    Bm7                          C 
 Upheld by the simplicities of pleasure
 Am                                       D
 They gain the light, they formlessly entwine
 G                               Em
 And radiant beyond your widest measure
 C                          D          G
 They fall among the voices and the wine.
 
 
              C          D            Em
 It's not a trick, your senses all deceiving
            C                        D
 A fitful dream, the morning will exhaust
         G Bm/F# Em  D      C 
 Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving.
   Am7               D          G
 Then say goodbye to Alexandra lost.
 
 
 G                                 Em
 Even though she sleeps upon your satin
 D                C         D        G
 Even though she wakes you with a kiss.
 G                           Em
 Do not say the moment was imagined
 D                  C   D          G
 Do not stoop to strategies like this.
 
 
 Bm7                                   C 
 As someone long prepared for this to happen
 Am                                D              
 Go firmly to the window. Drink it in.
            G                Em
 Exquisite music. Alexandra laughing.
 C                            D     G
 Your first commitments tangible again.
 
 
              C       D           Em      
 And you who had the honor of her evening
              C                     D
 And by that honor had your own restored
         G Bm/F# Em  D      C 
 Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving
 Am7        D                G
 Alexandra leaving with her lord.
 
 
                   C      D        Em
 Even though she sleeps upon your satin
                  C         D      Em
 Even though she wakes you with a kiss.
                 C      D      Em
 Do not say the moment was imagined
                    Am             D
 Do not stoop to strategies like this.
 
 
 G                                   Em
 As someone long prepared for the occasion
 D                  C       D        G
 In full command of every plan you wrecked
 G                              Em
 Do not choose a coward's explanation
 D                      C          D      G
 That hides behind the cause and the effect.
 
 
              C      D             Em
 And you who were bewildered by a meaning
                  C                  D
 Whose code was broken, crucifix uncrossed
         G Bm/F# Em  D      C 
 Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving.
   Am7               D          G
 Then say goodbye to Alexandra lost.
 
 
         G Bm/F# Em  D      C 
 Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving.
   Am7               D          G
 Then say goodbye to Alexandra lost.
 
 
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 Thanks to Hubert Ignatius Teunissen for his kind help with this song.
 
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