I love Leonard Cohen with all my Canadian heart and more, but he has to be the most difficult lyricist to translate, must less into a breathlessly beautiful lift of sound and life, as Jeff Buckley did ith "Hallelujah".
I don't know how Katie Melua sang this, but as part of a Jeff Buckley CD that a new friendship has bestowed upon me, his version is balm enough...
I lost myself on a cool damp night
I gave myself in that misty light
Was hypnotized by a strange delight
Under a lilac tree
I made wine from the lilac tree
Put my heart in its recipe
It makes me see what I want to see
And be what I want to be
When I think more than I want to think
Do things I never should do
I drink much more that I ought to drink
Because it brings me back you
Lilac wine
Is sweet and heady
Like my love
Lilac wine
I feel unsteady
Like my love
Listen to me
I cannot see clearly
Isn't that she
Coming to me
Nearly here
Lilac wine
Is sweet and heady
Where's my love
Lilac wine
I feel unsteady,
Where's my love
Listen to me, why is everything so hazy?
Isn't that he, or am I just going crazy, dear?
Lilac Wine, I feel unready
for my love...
for my love...