The Essential Leonard Cohen album cover by Leonard Cohen

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1992 · From the album The Essential Leonard Cohen

Anthem

by Leonard Cohen

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06:00 Runtime
Folk-Rock Genre

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03 · Lyrics

"Anthem"

The birds they sang

At the break of day

Start again

I heard them say

Don't dwell on what has passed away

Or what is yet to be

Ah, the wars they will be fought again

The holy dove, she will be caught again

Bought and sold, and bought again

The dove is never free

Ring the bells that still can ring

Forget your perfect offering

There is a crack, a crack in everything

That's how the light gets in

We asked for signs

The signs were sent

The birth betrayed

The marriage spent

Yeah, and the widowhood

Of every government

Signs for all to see

I can't run no more

With that lawless crowd

While the killers in high places

Say their prayers out loud

But they've summoned, they've summoned up

A thundercloud

They're going to hear from me

Ring the bells that still can ring

Forget your perfect offering

There is a crack, a crack in everything

That's how the light gets in

You can add up the parts

But you won't have the sum

You can strike up the march

There is no drum

Every heart, every heart

To love will come

But like a refugee

Ring the bells that still can ring

Forget your perfect offering

There is a crack, a crack in everything

That's how the light gets in

Ring the bells that still can ring

Forget your perfect offering

There is a crack, a crack in everything

That's how the light gets in

That's how the light gets in

That's how the light gets in

Lyrics via Google. Copyright belongs to rights holders.

04 · FAQ

Frequently asked

When was "Anthem" released?
"Anthem" by Leonard Cohen was released on November 24, 1992 on the album "The Essential Leonard Cohen".
What genre is "Anthem"?
"Anthem" by Leonard Cohen falls within the folk-rock, contemporary folk genres.
What album is "Anthem" on?
"Anthem" appears on the album "The Essential Leonard Cohen" by Leonard Cohen.
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