Leonard Cohen
Lyric guide

The Butcher

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

Leonard Cohen visibility0 visits Video on page
person Curated by Ethan Walker LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot

The page facts to cite before the commentary

Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.

Page type: lyric reference Artist: Leonard Cohen Canonical path: /leonard-cohen/the-butcher Related lyric paths: 6 Video embedded: yes
Lyrics

The Butcher

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.

I came upon a butcher,

He was slaughtering a lamb,

I accused him there

With his tortured lamb.

He said: Listen to me, child,

I am what i am and you, you are my only son

Well, i found a silver needle,

I put it into my arm.

It did some good,

Did some harm.

But the nights were cold

And it almost kept me warm,

How come the night is long?

I saw some flowers growing up

Where that lamb fell down;

Was i supposed to praise my lord,

Make some kind of joyful sound?

He said: Listen, listen to me now

I go round and round

And you, you are my only child

Do not leave me now,

Do not leave me now,

I'm broken down

From a recent fall.

Blood upon my body

And ice upon my soul,

Lead on, my son, it is your world

Quick answers

What this page can answer fast

Who performs "The Butcher"?

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

Are there related songs to explore after "The Butcher"?

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.

Song Room

Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song

Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.

Open Song Room
0 followers Selected insights only surface after moderation
Listener comments

What people are saying

0 comments
Add a short interpretation or memory

A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.

Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.

No listener comments on The Butcher yet.