First We Take Manhattan Lyrics

The song First We Take Manhattan is performed by Leonard Cohen in the album named Essential Leonard Cohen in the year 2002 .



They sentenced me to twenty years of boredom
For trying to change the system from within
I'm coming now, I'm coming to reward them
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

I'm guided by a signal in the heavens
I'm guided by this birthmark on my skin
I'm guided by the beauty of our weapons
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

I'd really like to live beside you, baby
I love your body and your spirit and your clothes
But you see that line there moving through the station?
I told you, I told you, told you I was one of those

Ah, you loved me as a loser
But now you're worried that I just might win
You know the way to stop me, but you don't have the discipline
How many nights I prayed for this, to let my work begin
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

I don't like your fashion business, mister
And I don't like these drugs that keep you thin
I don't like what happened to my sister
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

I'd really like to live beside you, baby
I love your body and your spirit and your clothes
But you see that line there movin' through the station?
I told you, I told you, told you I was one of those

And I thank you for those items that you sent me
The monkey and the plywood violin
I practiced every night, now I'm ready
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

I am guided

Ah, remember me, I used to live for music
Remember me, I brought your groceries in
Well, it's Father's Day and everybody's wounded
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin




Leonard Cohen - Essential Leonard Cohen

Oct 2002

  1. Suzanne
  2. The Stranger Song
  3. Sisters Of Mercy
  4. Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye
  5. So Long, Marianne
  6. Bird On A Wire
  7. The Partisan
  8. Famous Blue Raincoat
  9. Chelsea Hotel #2
  10. Take This Longing
  11. Who By Fire
  12. The Guests
  13. Hallelujah
  14. If It Be Your Will
  15. Night Comes On
  16. I'm Your Man
  17. Everybody Knows
  18. Tower of Song
  19. Ain't No Cure For Love
  20. Take This Waltz
  21. First We Take Manhattan
  22. Dance Me To The End Of Love (Live)
  23. The Future
  24. Democracy
  25. Waiting For The Miracle
  26. Closing Time
  27. Anthem
  28. In My Secret Life
  29. Alexandra Leaving
  30. A Thousand Kisses Deep
  31. Love Itself


First We Take Manhattan