you want it darker

Leonard Cohen

If you were the Dealer,
I'm out of the game.
If you were the healer,
It means I'm broken and lame.
If thine is the glory,
Then mine must be the shame.
You want it darker?
We killed the flame.

Magnified, Sanctified,
Be the Holy Name.
Vilified, crucified,
In the human frame.
A million candles burning
For the help that never came.
You want it darker?

Hineni, hineni.
I'm ready, My Lord.

There's a lover in the story,
But the story's still the same.
There's a lullaby for suffering,
And a paradox to blame.
But it's written in the Scriptures,
And it's not some idol claim.
You want it darker?
We killed the flame.

They're lining up the prisoners,
And the guards are taking aim.
I struggled with some demons,
They were middle class and tame.
I didn't know I had permission,
to murder and to maim.
You want it darker?

Hineni, hineni.
I'm ready, My Lord.

Magnified, Sanctified,
Be the Holy Name.
Vilified, crucified,
In the human frame.
A million candles burning,
For the love that never came.
You want it darker?
We killed the flame.

If you are the dealer, let me out of the game.
If you are the healer, I'm broken and lame.
If thine is the glory, mine must be the shame.
You want it darker?

Hineni, hineni.
Hineni, hineni.
I'm ready, my lord.