And Thanks For The Trouble You Took (From My Eyes)

Leonard Cohen

Hat for Leonard - painting by brodyquixote

Such sad news to hear of Leonard Cohen's passing today.

I first came across Leonard's music when I was a young teenager and found one of my brothers mix tapes. I had managed to get a 'hand me down' personal stereo and audio cassettes being thin on the ground you would listen to each others collections as well as taping songs from the radio.

Well, towards the end of the tape came this voice singing 'So Long Marianne' and i was entranced. I think it was the 'gypsy boy' reference that got me. To me, at that time, I thought I was some kind of 'gypsy boy' slowly realising I was that wee bit 'different' in the gay sense.

Obviously Leonard Cohen's music speaks to all of us, in many different ways. Like all art we bring our own experiences, our own part of the story to intertwine with the lyrics that he has already laid out for us.

About three years ago I painted the image above as a tribute to him,  from a suggestion by my flatmate - a huge Leonard Cohen fan.

To me, it sums up Leonard Cohen, a simple hat signifying so much more - the crown of the 'Lord of Song', the 'King of the Gypsy Boys', and laid down wherever he called home.

Leonard Cohen's hat surrounded by words from 'Famous Blue Raincoat' - "And Thanks For The Trouble You Took', which today, is my way of thanking Leonard for letting all us gypsy boys, and girls, share in his wonderful story.

​Davy