Leonard Cohen
Lyric guide

Anthem

Read Anthem lyrics by Leonard Cohen on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.

Leonard Cohen visibility1 visits Video on page
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Page type: lyric reference Artist: Leonard Cohen Canonical path: /leonard-cohen/anthem Related lyric paths: 6 Video embedded: yes
Lyrics

Anthem

The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.

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 in everything

That's how the light gets in

We asked for signs

The signs were sent

The birth betrayed

The marriage spent

Yeah 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

And they're going to hear from me

Ring the bells that still can ring

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

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Who performs "Anthem"?

Leonard Cohen performs "Anthem", and this lyric page sits inside the Leonard Cohen catalog on LyroVerse.

Are there related songs to explore after "Anthem"?

Yes. The related section below points to Minute Prologue and Ain't No Cure For Love with a short reason for opening each page next.

Where can I find more songs by Leonard Cohen?

Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Leonard Cohen's lyric pages.

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