I came so far for beauty
I left so much behind
my patience and my family,
my masterpiece unsigned

I thought I'd be rewarded
for such a lonely choice,
and surely she would answer
to such a hopeless voice

I practised on my sainthood
I gave to one and all
but the rumors of my virtue
they moved her not at all

I changed my style to silver
I changed my clothes to black
and where I did surrender
now I would attack

I stormed the old casino 
for the money and the flesh
and I myself decided
what was rotten, what was fresh

And men to do my bidding
and broken bones to teach
the value of pardon
the shadow of my reach

I came so far for beauty
I left so much behind:
my patience and my family
my masterpiece unsigned  

Click here to reach: Leonard Cohen
Stranger Music