Leonard Cohen
Avalanche (Live)
I stepped into an avalanche
It covered up my soul
When I am not this hunchback that you see
I sleep beneath the golden hill
You who wish to conquer pain
You must learn, learn to serve me well
You strike my side by accident
As you go down for your gold
The cripple here that you clothe and feed
Is neither starved nor cold
He does not ask for your company
Not at the centre, centre of the world
When I am on a pedestal
You did not raise me there
Your laws don't compel me
When I only grow this skin bare
I myself am the pedestal
For this ugly home that you share
The crumbs that you offer me
They're the crumbs that you left behind
Your pain is no credential here
It's just the shadow, shadow of your wound
I have begun to long for you
It's just what I need
And I have begun to ask for you
For I have no need
You say you've gone away from me
Do not dress in those rags for me
I know you are not poor
You don't love me so fiercely
When you know that you are not sure
It is your turn, beloved
It is your flesh that I