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Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen
Vocals
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen
Composer
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Bob Johnston
Bob Johnston
Producer

Lyrics

This a song called "The Story Of Isaac" And it's about those who would sacrifice one generation on behalf of another Well, the door it opened slowly My father he came in I was nine years old And he stood so tall above me And his blue eyes they were shining And his voice was very cold Said: "I've had a vision" "And you know I'm strong and holy I must do what I've been told" So we started up the mountain I was running, he was walking And his axe was made of burning gold Well, the trees they got much smaller Yes, the lake a lady's mirror When we stopped to drink some wine Then he threw the bottle over Broke a minute later And he put his hand on mine Thought I saw an eagle But it might have been a vulture I never could decide Then my father built an altar He looked once behind his shoulder I guess he knew I would not hide You who build these altars now To sacrifice our children You must not do it anymore A scheme is not a vision And you never have been tempted By a demon or a god Who stand above them now Your hatchets blunt and bloody You were not there before When I lay upon a mountain And my father's hand was trembling With the beauty, I mean the beauty of the word And if you call me brother now Forgive me but I must inquire "Just according to whose plan?" When it all comes down to dust I will kill you if I must I will help you if I can When it all comes down to dust I will help you if I must Kill you if I can And mercy, mercy on our uniform Man of peace, man of war The peacock spreads his deadly fan
Writer(s): Leonard Cohen Lyrics powered by www.musixmatch.com
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