THE NATURE OF GOOD AND EVIL G-D IN THE SONG OF LEONARD COHEN
THE NATURE OF GOOD AND EVIL G-D IN THE SONG OF LEONARD COHEN

Summary/Abstract: This essay focuses on the lyrics of a few selected songs by Leonard Cohen in which he presents his views on the concepts of good and evil as an inherent nature of G-d. Cohen’s work reveals that evil is not able to survive without human interaction, perhaps without our voluntary succumbing to its allure. The awareness of goodness, on the other hand, is often a consequence of realizing that evil is an indelible part of our lives and of the striving to make a clear distance from it. The singer often focuses on the evil nature of G-d based on his readings of the Hebrew Bible. According to him, evil manifests itself in obeying G-d’s commands as portrayed in the “Song of Isaac” or in killing of the Lamb by “The Butcher,” who is revealed to be the Creator Himself. Other songs often refer to our unconscious acceptance of evil, such as the song “The Captain” whose lyrics reveal that the spread of evil is caused by the lack of knowledge of goodness. Succumbing to the power of evil, then, leads to the total destruction of values ingrained in our common cultural heritage. Such a void is well-represented by the song “Closing Time” which anticipates the Apocalypse. However, Leonard Cohen, prophesises the rebirth of our civilisation in the song “Anthem” and ultimately the coming of “Democracy” and goodness after the most destructive events of our age.

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