First We Take Manhattan Songtext
von Leonard Cohen

Aw, thank you so much for your gracious welcome
But, uh, warm as it is, it will not deter me from my appointed task
Which is to take Manhattan, and then, Berlin
And many other cities, and do with them as I wish

They sentenced me to 20 years of boredom
For trying to change the system from within
I′m coming now, I'm coming to reward them
First, we take Manhattan, then, we take Berlin

I′m guided by a signal in the heavens (guided, guided)
I'm guided by this birthmark on my skin (I am guided by)
I'm guided by the beauty of our weapons (ooh, ooh)
First, we take Manhattan, then, we take Berlin

(I′d really like to live beside you, baby)
(I love your body and your spirit and your clothes)
(But you see that line that′s moving through the station?)
(I told you, I told you, I told you I was one of those)


Ah, you loved me as a loser, but now you're worried that I just might win
You know the way to stop me, ha, but you don′t have the discipline
How many nights I prayed for this, to let my work begin
First, we take Manhattan, then, we take Berlin

I don't like your fashion business, mister
And I don′t like these drugs that keep you thin
I don't like what happened to my sister
First, we take Manhattan, then, we take Berlin

(I′d really like to live beside you, baby)
(I love your body and your spirit and your clothes)
(But you see that line there moving through the station?)
(I told you, I told you, I told you I was one of those)

And I thank you for those items that you sent me, ha ha ha
I mean the monkey and the plywood violin
I practiced every night, now I'm ready
First, we take Manhattan, then, we take Berlin

(I am guided)

Ah, remember me, I used to live for music (baby)
Remember me, I brought your groceries in (ooh, baby, yeah)
Well, it's Father′s Day (baby), and all the men wounded (wounded)
First, we take Manhattan, then, we take Berlin

Mr. Steve Zirkel on the trumpet