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’s 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

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’s a crack, a crack in everything That’s how the light gets in

Written by Leonard Cohen, Album The Future. Released 1992