Chords + Lyrics | So Long, Marianne
Intro
|6/8 A A/E | Asus4 A |
Verse 1
| A | A | Bm | Bm |
Come over to the window, my little darling,
| D | D | A | A |
I’d like to try to read your palm.
| G | G | D | D |
I used to think I was some kind of Gypsy boy,
| F#m | F#m | E | E |
before I let you take me home.
Chorus 1
| A | A | F#m | F#m |
Now so long, Marianne, it’s time that we began,
| E | E | E | E |
to laugh, and cry, and cry, and laugh about it all again.
Instrumental 1
||: A A/E | Asus4 A :|| A A/E |
Verse 2
Well, you know that I love to live with you,
but you make me forget so very much.
I forget to pray for the angels,
and then the angels forget to pray for us.
Chorus 2
Now so long, Marianne, it’s time that we began,
to laugh, (and) and cry, (and) and cry (and) and laugh about it all again.
Instrumental 2
||: A A/E | Asus4 A :|| A A/E |
Verse 3
We met when we were almost young,
deep in the green lilac park.
You held on to me like I was a crucifix,
as we went kneeling through the dark.
Chorus 3
Oh, so long, Marianne, it’s time that we began,
to laugh, (and) and cry, (and) and cry (and) and laugh about it all again.
Instrumental 3
||: A A/E | Asus4 A :|| A A/E |
Verse 4
Your letters they all say that you’re beside me now.
Then why do I feel alone?
I’m standing on a ledge and your fine spider web,
is fastening my ankle to a stone.
Chorus 4
Now so long, Marianne, it’s time that we began,
to laugh, (and) and cry, (and) and cry (and) and laugh about it all again.
Instrumental 4
||: A A/E | Asus4 A :|| A A/E |
Verse 5
For now I need your hidden love.
I’m cold as a new razor blade.
You left when I told you I was curious,
I never said that I was brave.
Chorus 5
Oh, so long, Marianne, it’s time that we began,
to laugh, (and) and cry, (and) and cry (and) and laugh about it all again.
Instrumental 5
||: A A/E | Asus4 A :|| A A/E |
Verse 6
Oh, you are really such a pretty one.
I see you’ve gone and changed your name again.
And just when I climbed this whole mountainside,
to wash my eyelids in the rain!.
Chorus 6
Oh, so long, Marianne, it’s time that we began,
to laugh, (and) and cry, (and) and cry (and) and laugh about it all again.
Outro
||: A A/E | Asus4 A :|| A ||
So Long, Marianne Chords: Learn the Key Changes and Unique Harmony
Before you start playing along with the original recording using the chords and lyrics above, make sure to tune sharp to 447Hz using my online guitar tuner.
This way, you’ll be in tune with Mr. Cohen’s original frequency.
Verse
The chords are diatonic to the key of A, moving I – II – IV – I for the first half. We then transition to the bVIIx chord, creating tension before resolving to IV – VI – V, like this:
| A (I) | A | Bm (II) | Bm |
| D (IV) | D | A (V) | A |
| G (bVIIx) | G | D | D |
| F#m (VI) | F#m | E (V) | E |
You could also interpret the G chord (bVIIx) as bridging two keys, A and D. Many songs use this technique—it’s a great way to catch the listener’s attention.
Chorus
The chorus is simpler, following a I – VI – V progression:
| A (I) | A | F#m (VI) | F#m |
| E (V) | E | E | E |
There’s a TAB lesson available for how to accompany this with an acoustic guitar, featuring a nice alternating bass line, useful if you don’t have a bassist.
Here’s the link to that part of the lesson: So Long, Marianne – Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Once you’ve worked through the TAB and are ready to play this live, just bring this chord chart, and you’ll be all set.
So Long, Marianne Chord Chart | PDF + iReal Pro Download
Should you want to download this chart, here’s a PDF: So Long, Marianne chord chart PDF.
This chord chart was created using iReal Pro, here’s a link to that file: So Long, Marianne iReal Pro. Using this and the iRealPro app, you can change the key.
So Long, Marianne TAB | Course Preview
In the course, you get complete TAB for how to play So Long, Marianne, arranged for one acoustic guitar.
As a preview, here’s the intro and the first three bars of the verse.
So Long, Marianne is a perfect example of early Leonard Cohen!
Released on his 1967 debut album Songs of Leonard Cohen, So Long, Marianne was one of the tracks that helped introduce the poet-turned-songwriter to the world.
The song tells the story of a real woman named Marianne, whom Cohen met in Greece and later lived with in Canada. Its haunting melody and heartfelt lyrics have resonated through the years, making it a timeless classic. Over the years, it has been covered by artists such as Beck and Suzanne Vega.
This early period of Cohen’s career also saw the release of iconic tracks like Suzanne, Hey, That’s No Way To Say Goodbye, Sisters of Mercy, Bird on the Wire, and the powerful The Partisan.
For any aspiring songwriter, these songs are rich with lyrical depth, and their chords and melodies provide invaluable inspiration.
So Long, Marianne Chords: Continue Learning
Want to master this song? Check out the full TAB lesson here: So Long, Marianne (Leonard Cohen) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Alternatively, here are five similar tunes you might enjoy:
