Leonard Cohen

First We Take Manhattan

Oh, thank you so much for your gracious welcome

But, uh, warm as it is, it will not deter me from my appointed task

Which is to take Manhattan, and then Berlin

And many other cities, and do with them as I wish

They sentenced me to 20 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 (guided)

I'm guided by this birthmark on my skin (I am guided by)

I'm guided by the beauty of our weapons (ooh-ooh)

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 that's moving through the station?

I told you, I told you, I 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, ha, 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 moving through the station?

I told you, I told you, I told you, I was one of those

And I thank you for those items that you sent me, ha-ha-ha

I mean, the monkey and the plywood violin

I practiced every night, now I am ready

First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

(I am guided)

Ah, remember me, I used to live for music (baby)

Remember me, I brought your groceries in (ooh-ooh, baby, yeah)

Well, it's Father's Day (baby), and all the men are wounded (wounded)

First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

Mr. Steve Zirkel on the trumpet