leonard cohen so long, marianne

"So Long, Marianne" is a song written by Canadian poet and musician Leonard Cohen. It was released in 1967 on his debut album "Songs of Leonard Cohen." The song was inspired by Marianne Ihlen (born Marianne Jensen), whom Cohen met on the Greek island of Hydra in 1960. She was his muse and the woman with whom he lived and traveled through the 1960s. Although originally the song may have been titled "Come on, Marianne," it eventually became a poignant farewell, reflecting their complex relationship. Cohen wrote the song over about a year, beginning in Montreal and finishing in New York. Marianne Ihlen was a central figure in Cohen's life and work, inspiring many of his poems and songs. They eventually parted ways but remained connected in spirit until her death in 2016, shortly before Cohen's own passing later that year. The song "So Long, Marianne" is considered one of Cohen's great works, capturing the emotional depth and bittersweet nature of their relationship. It has been covered by many artists and remains a beloved classic from the 1960s folk rock era.