Music: Asturias Prize in Letters: Suzanne, So long, Marrianne, Hallalujah, Anthem

AP via Globe and Mail (June1,2k11)

Leonard Cohen in performance of "Dance Me to the End of Love"

MUSIC

Leonard Cohen awarded major Spanish arts prize

MADRID, Spain — 

The Associated Press

Published Wednesday, 

Jun. 01, 2011 10:46AM EDT

Singer Leonard Cohen has won one of Spain's prestigious Prince of Asturias awards for his poetic gifts and thought-provoking songs.

The prize foundation said Wednesday it was awarding the Canadian its Letters prize, praising him as one of the most influential authors of modern times.

The foundations said “his poems and songs explore with depth and beauty the major questions concerning humanity.”

refWrite's editorial comment:  All congratulations to Leonard, who I had the happy occasion to meet  at an afterparty, hosted upon completion of the filming of his then-latest movie or video or whatever.  That was decades back.  I'm now 71, and he's 76.  May the Good Lord have mercy upon you and abundant grace for you, Leonard!  You've tawt us that we need mercy thru the singing of your poems, and that grace helps us go the distance and that we need grace just as the earth needs rain.  By the way, your new Prince of Asturias Award in Letters, it shoud be yours not only for your lyrics in Suzanne, and So long, Marrianne, and I'd certainly add Hallelujah, but certainly as well for Anthem: to the list adding Dance Me to the End of Love (May 4, 2k11).

Ring the bells that still can ring

Forget your perfect offering

There is a crack in everything

That's how the light gets in.

-- Read more of this article on Globe and Mail's website; lyrics to song Anthem here.
AP pix and text; YouTubeServices via yUT2ube channel the videos-collections partner with refWrite, posted by -- Audioviz