written by Leonard Cohen and Patrick Leonard
riff in Bm (all verses) The war was lost, the treaty signed I was not caught, I crossed the line I was not caught, though many tried I live among you well disguised
I had to leave my life behind I dug some graves you'll never find The story's told with facts and lies I have a name, but nevermind
Bm
Nevermind, nevermind
G
The war was lost, the treaty signed
Bm
There's Truth that lives and Truth that dies
G
I don't know which, so nevermind
Your victory was so complete Some among you thought to keep a record of our little lives The clothes we wore, our spoons our knives
The games of luck our soldiers played The stones we cut, the songs we made Our law of peace which understands A husband leads, a wife commands
And all of this, expressions of the Sweet Indifference some call Love The High Indifference some call Fate But we had Names more intimate
Names so deep and names so true They're blood to me, they're dust to you There is no need that this survives There's Truth that lives and Truth that dies
Nevermind, nevermind
I live the life I left behind
There's Truth that lives and Truth that dies
I don't know which, so nevermind
I could not kill the way you kill I could not hate, I tried I failed You turned me in, at least you tried You side with them whom you despise
This was your heart, this swarm of flies This was once your mouth, this bowl of lies You serve them well, I'm not surprised You're of their kin, you're of their kind
Nevermind, nevermind
I had to leave my life behind
The story's told with facts and lies
You own the world, so nevermind
Nevermind, nevermind
I live the life I left behind
I live it full, I live it wide
Through layers of time you can't divide
My woman's here, my children too
Their graves are safe from ghosts like you
In places deep with roots entwined
I live the life I left behind
riff in Bm
The war was lost, the treaty signed
G
I was not caught, I crossed the line
n.c.
I was not caught, though many tried
n.c.
I live among you well disguised