Master Song

Leonard Cohen's 'Master Song' is a haunting exploration of power dynamics, submission, and the complexities of human relationships. The song's narrator speaks to a woman who has been under the influence of a 'master,' a figure who seems to hold a significant, almost mystical power over her. The lyrics are rich with metaphors and imagery, painting a picture of a relationship that is both deeply intimate and profoundly unsettling.

The 'master' in the song is depicted as a figure of authority and control, someone who has taken the woman on a journey, both physically and emotionally. The narrator, who appears to be an ex-lover or a former significant figure in the woman's life, is left to grapple with feelings of betrayal, jealousy, and longing. The master is described in almost mythical terms, a 'numberless man in a chair' who has returned from war, suggesting a figure who is both ordinary and extraordinary, a blend of the mundane and the heroic.

Cohen's use of religious and mythological imagery adds layers of meaning to the song. The references to temples, golden strings, and the act of kneeling evoke a sense of ritual and worship, suggesting that the woman's relationship with the master is not just one of love or lust, but of devotion and submission. The narrator's own feelings of numbness and isolation are contrasted with the woman's wild eyes and red knuckles, highlighting the emotional and physical toll of their entanglements.

The song also delves into themes of secrecy and hidden truths. The woman's love is described as 'a secret all over the block,' and the master never asks her to explain the 'little details' of her past. This secrecy creates a sense of mystery and tension, as the narrator is left to wonder what has been shared and what remains hidden. The final verses reveal the narrator's own role in this complex web, admitting that he 'taught' the master and sent the woman to him, adding another layer of betrayal and manipulation to the story.