Joan of Arc

Darrell Scott, Leonard Cohen, Mary Gauthier

About Joan of Arc

"Joan of Arc" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen. It was released as a single in March 1971 from his third album, Songs of Love and Hate. The song lasts almost six-and-a-half minutes, and is composed of four stanzas of eight lines each with a "la-la" refrain.


Year:
2008
7:42
33 
#3

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Now the flames they followed joan of arc
As she came riding through the dark;
No moon to keep her armour bright,
No man to get her through this very smoky night.
She said, I'm tired of the war,
I want the kind of work I had before,
A wedding dress or something white
To wear upon my swollen appetite.

Well, I'm glad to hear you talk this way,
You know I've watched you riding every day
And something in me yearns to win
Such a cold and lonesome heroine.
And who are you? she sternly spoke
To the one beneath the smoke.
Why, I'm fire, he replied,
And I love your solitude, I love your pride.

Then fire, make your body cold,
I'm going to give you mine to hold,
Saying this she climbed inside
To be his one, to be his only bride.
And deep into his fiery heart
He took the dust of joan of arc,
And high above the wedding guests
He hung the ashes of her wedding dress.

It was deep into his fiery heart
He took the dust of joan of arc,
And then she clearly understood
If he was fire, oh then she must be wood.
I saw her wince, I saw her cry,
I saw the glory in her eye.
Myself I long for love and light,
But must it come so cruel, and oh so bright?

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Leonard Cohen

Leonard Norman Cohen, (September 21, 1934- November 7, 2016) CC GOQ, was a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, poet, and novelist. His work often explored religion, isolation, sexuality, and interpersonal relationships. Cohen was inducted into the American Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and both the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. He was also a Companion of the Order of Canada, the nation's highest civilian honour. In 2011 Cohen received Prince of Asturias Award for literature. more »

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Written by: RICHARD WEBB, DAVID JONATHAN COHEN, CAROLINE NORRIS

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


14 facts about this song

Genre Classification
"Joan of Arc" is classified as a folk song, showcasing Leonard Cohen's signature style that combines poetic lyrics and melodic tunes.
Album Placement
The song is part of Leonard Cohen's second studio album titled "Songs from a Room," released in 1969.
Inspirational Design
The lyrics of "Joan of Arc" are inspired by the historical figure of the same name, comparing a romantic relationship to Joan of Arc's fate.
Female Collaboration
The track features vocal contributions from American singer, Julie Felix, who provides the female voice in some of the verses.
Song Structure
The song follows an alternating structure, with verses sung by Leonard Cohen and the female voice in the chorus.
Musical Accompaniment
It is richly accompanied by Leonard Cohen's hallmark acoustic guitar strumming with additional embellishments of other string instruments.
Recurring Theme
"Joan of Arc" is one of many songs in which Cohen uses religious and historical figures to portray complex emotions and situations.
Popular Cover
Jennifer Warnes covered the song in her 1987 tribute album to Cohen, "Famous Blue Raincoat."
Later Live Performance
Cohen included "Joan of Arc" in sets while on tour from 1970 and continued to perform it live until his final tour in 2013.
Metaphorical Description
Cohen has described the song as a description of the sense of relief experienced when one's muse abandons them, symbolized by the burning of Joan at the stake.
French Influence
Cohen's time living in Hydra, Greece, and his appreciation for French culture maybe why Joan of Arc, a significant French historical figure, featured in his song.
Interpretation
Listeners and critics have interpreted the song as a complex depiction of the relationship between artist and muse, or as a metaphor for a love affair.
Unique Narration
Uniquely, Cohen shifts the narrative perspective in the song that elicits different emotions.
Original Songwriting
As with the majority of his catalogue, Cohen wrote the lyrics and composed the music for "Joan of Arc."

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