It was deep into his fiery heart
he took the dust of Joan of Arc,
and then she clearly understood
if he was fire, oh then she must be wood.
I saw her wince, I saw her cry,
I saw the glory in her eye.
Myself I long for love and light,
but must it come so cruel, and oh so bright?
Leonard Cohen – Joan Of Arc, Featuring Hattie Webb
Portland: Nov 11, 2012
Video by Arlene Dick
For other versions of Joan of Arc performed by Leonard Cohen and his backup singers (e.g., Laura Branigan & Cheryl Barnes, Jennifer Warnes, Julie Christensen, Sharon Robinson, Anjani, and others), see The Concert Performances – Including Some Duets You (Probably) Haven’t Heard
Best 2012 Leonard Cohen Videos: This is a selection from the Best Of 2012 Leonard Cohen Tour Video Setlist, which comprises the best available video of each of the songs performed during the 2012 Leonard Cohen World Tour.1
I am republishing selected posts from my former Leonard Cohen site, Cohencentric, here on AllanShowalter.com (these posts can be found at Leonard Cohen). This entry was originally posted Oct 21, 2015.
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- The Nov 11, 2012 Portland show was the first performance of Joan of Arc at a Leonard Cohen concert since the 1993 tour. Joan of Arc appeared in only one other 2012 concert and was not performed in any 2013 shows. [↩]
A most beautiful piece of literal, and musical, work from the master of deep and emotional feelings, and so beautifully accompanied by the voice of Hattie Webb.
I have always found this song to be a very moving tribute to Joan of Arc, it compels you to sit, listen, and absorb the words and the music as they trace out the ending to her life.