Lady Midnight

leonard cohen

I came by myself to a very crowded place
I was looking for someone who had lines in her face
I found her there but she was passed all concern
I asked her to hold me • I said "lady unfold me"
but she scorned me and told me I was dead and could never return

well I argued all night like so many have before
saying "whatever you give me seems to need so much more"
then she pointed at me where I kneeled on the floor
she said "don't try to use me or slightly refuse me
just win me or lose me • it is this that the darkness is for"

I cried "oh lady midnight • I fear that you grow old
stars eat your body and the wind makes you cold"
"if we cry now" she said "it will just be ignored"
so I walked through the morning • sweet early morning
I could hear my lady calling "you've won me • you've won me my lord"