Teachers
Originally by Leonard Cohen, first released on his album Songs Of Leonard Cohen.
Teachers has been covered by The Sisters of Mercy from as early as 1981.
Since then, the song has often been part of their live performances, first in a combination
with Adrenochrome. It was also featured on their early demo tapes.
The track is also featured on countless bootlegs like the Floorshow EP, Black Planet, Rare Obscurities,
Green Eldritch, Before The Flood, Ultra Rare Trax and many more.
Later, from the 1990s on, the track became part of the well-known medley of On The Wire / Teachers / On The Wire ...
Teachers
I met a man who lost his mind
Follow me the wise man said
But he walked behind
I walked into a hospital
Where none were sick and none was well,
When at night the Sisters left
I could not walk at all.
Some girls wander by mistake
Into the mess that scalpals make.
Are you the teachers of my heart
We teach old hearts to break.
I met a woman long ago
Her hair the black the black can go
Are you the teacher of the heart?
Soft she whispered, no
I met a girl across the sea,
Her hair the gold that gold could be.
Are you the teacher of the heart?
Yes, but not for thee.
I spent my hatred every place,
On every work, on every face
Is my passion perfect,
No! Do it once again.
Oh teachers are my lessons done?
I cannot do another one,
They laughed and laughed and laughed and said,
Child are your lessons done?
I was handsome, I was strong,
I knew the words of every song
Did my singing please you?
No, the words you sang were wrong
Words & Lyrics: Leonard Cohen
Lyrics and music are property and copyright of their respective rights holders and provided only for study purposes.
Analysis
Some basic analysis has been done at the Heartland Forums under:
