☝️ Key Points
- The lyrics of the song "Teachers" by Leonard Cohen are about different encounters with people he considers teachers of the heart.
- However, the lyrics also describe how these teachers disappoint him or are not there for him.
- Cohen poses the question of whether his lessons are over and he can't give any more.
Interpretation
The song lyrics "Teachers" by
Leonard Cohen are about various encounters with people whom he considers teachers of the heart. However, the text also describes how these teachers disappoint him or are not there for him.
In the first part of the text, Cohen meets a woman whom he asks if she is a teacher of the heart. However, she responds that she is not. Then he meets a girl whom he asks the question again. This time she answers yes, but not for him.
In the second verse, Cohen meets a man who has lost his mind. The man asks Cohen to follow him, but he follows closely behind.
In the third part, Cohen enters a hospital where no one is sick. At night, when the nurses leave, he can no longer leave. It seems that the hospital symbolizes a place where he feels trapped and unable to make progress.
In the fourth part, Cohen is confronted with the concept of hatred. He eats and eats, but the hatred does not end. He asks how much these meals cost, and he is told that they will be paid with hatred.
In the fifth part, several girls embrace him and later also men. Cohen asks if his passion is perfect and he is told to do it again.
In the sixth part, he realizes that his singing does not please those who listen to it. He then asks who is listening to him and writing down his confessions. The teachers of the heart tell him that they teach peace to old hearts.
In the last part of the text, Cohen asks if his lessons are now over and if he can't make any more. The teachers laugh and ask if his lessons are over.