Avalanche - Leonard Cohen: Song Lyrics, Music Videos & Concerts

Avalanche

739,147

Pop

Avalanche was released on March 19, 1971 by Columbia as a part of the album Songs of Love and Hate

Popular Segments

Song Details

Most Popular

Past 7 Days

00:45 - 00:50

Avalanche was discovered most frequently at around 45 seconds into the song during the past week

00:00

00:05

00:25

00:35

00:45

01:00

01:15

01:50

02:05

02:10

02:40

03:15

03:20

03:35

03:40

04:20

04:25

04:50

00:00

05:07

OVERVIEW

LYRICS

Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS

Leonard Cohen

Vocals

COMPOSITION & LYRICS

Leonard Cohen

Composer

PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING

Bob Johnston

Producer

Lyrics

[Verse 1]

Well, 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

[Verse 2]

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, the centre of the world

[Verse 3]

When I am on a pedestal

You did not raise me there

Your laws do not compel me

To kneel grotesque and bare

I myself am the pedestal for this ugly hump at which you stare

[Verse 4]

You who wish to conquer pain

You must learn what makes me kind

The crumbs of love that you offer me

They're the crumbs I've left behind

Your pain is no credential here, it's just the shadow, shadow of my wound

[Verse 5]

I have begun to long for you

I who have no greed

I have begun to ask for you

I who have no need

You say you've gone away from me, but I can feel ya when you breathe

[Verse 6]

Do not dress in those rags for me

I know you are not poor

And don't love me quite so fiercely now when you know that you are not sure

It is your turn, beloved, it is your flesh that I wear

Written by: Leonard Cohen

Shazam Footer

Select language:

Company

Legal

Chrome Web Store

Galaxy Store

Follow Us

© Copyright 2026 Apple Inc. and its affiliates | Supplier Responsibility

Loading...