Pjesma Alexandra Leaving objavljena je na albumu Ten New Songs koji je objavljen 2011.
U intervjuu njemačkom časopisu Fokus u septembru 2011. Koen je rekao da je pjesmu počeo da piše na grčkom ostrvu Hidra 1985. Prvi nacrti pjesme su ostali zaboravljeni u ladici dok ih nijesam otkrio i počeo da radim na njima krajem devedesetih..
Kao inspiraciju za pjesmu Koen je naveo pjesmu Konstantina Kavafija Bog napušta Antonija. Kavafijevo djelo me je inspirisalo tokom godina, čak i dok ovo pišem njegova slika je iznad moga stola – napisao je Leonard Koen na svom sajtu.
Bog napušta Antonija (Konstantin Kavafi)
Kad se iznenada, u ponoć, začuje
kako prolazi nevidljiva povorka
sa sjajnom muzikom i glasnom pesmom –
svoju sudbu što te izdala, svoja dela
što nisu uspela, svoje životne planove
što su svi omanuli – nemoj uzalud oplakivati.
Kao da si spreman godinama, kao junak,
uputi joj pozdrav, Aleksandriji koja odlazi.
A povrh svega, nemoj se zavaravati, ne reci kako je
to bio san, kako te je sluh prevario:
nemoj se spuštati na tako zaludne nade.
Kao da si spreman godinama, kao junak,
kao što tebi odgovara što si bio zaslužan takvog jednog grada,
odlučno priđi prozoru
i slusaj s uzbuđenjem, ali ne
preklinjući i tužeći poput kukavice,
kao svoje poslednje zadovoljstvo slušaj zvuke,
sjajne instrumente tajnovite družbe, i uputi joj pozdrav,
toj Aleksandriji koju gubiš!
Alexandra Leaving
Suddenly the night has grown colder.
The god of love preparing to depart.
Alexandra hoisted on his shoulder,
They slip between the sentries of the heart.
Upheld by the simplicities of pleasure,
They gain the light, they formlessly entwine;
And radiant beyond your widest measure
They fall among the voices and the wine.
It’s not a trick, your senses all deceiving,
A fitful dream, the morning will exhaust –
Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving.
Then say goodbye to Alexandra lost.
Even though she sleeps upon your satin;
Even though she wakes you with a kiss.
Do not say the moment was imagined;
Do not stoop to strategies like this.
As someone long prepared for this to happen,
Go firmly to the window. Drink it in.
Exquisite music. Alexandra laughing.
Your firm commitments tangible again.
And you who had the honor of her evening,
And by the honor had your own restored –
Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving;
Alexandra leaving with her lord.
Even though she sleeps upon your satin;
Even though she wakes you with a kiss.
Do not say the moment was imagined;
Do not stoop to strategies like this.
As someone long prepared for the occasion;
In full command of every plan you wrecked –
Do not choose a coward’s explanation
that hides behind the cause and the effect.
And you who were bewildered by a meaning;
Whose code was broken, crucifix uncrossed –
Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving.
Then say goodbye to Alexandra lost.
Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving.
Then say goodbye to Alexandra lost.
