Steer Your Way

Leonard Cohen's 'Steer Your Way' is a profound meditation on the human condition, filled with rich metaphors and cultural references. The song's lyrics guide the listener through a journey of introspection and existential reflection, urging them to navigate through the complexities and disillusionments of life. Cohen's poetic language and somber tone create a tapestry of imagery that speaks to the struggles of maintaining faith and integrity in a world filled with decay and falsehoods.

The song opens with a call to steer past the 'ruins of the Altar and the Mall,' symbolizing the decline of both spiritual and materialistic values. By juxtaposing the sacred with the profane, Cohen critiques the modern world's loss of meaning and the erosion of foundational beliefs. The repeated refrain 'Year by year, Month by month, Day by day, Thought by thought' emphasizes the relentless passage of time and the continuous effort required to navigate life's challenges.

Cohen also delves into personal and collective disillusionment, urging the listener to steer their heart past 'the Truth you believed in yesterday.' This line suggests a need to question and move beyond previously held convictions, whether they pertain to moral goodness or spiritual wisdom. The mention of 'women whom you bought' adds a layer of personal guilt and regret, highlighting the moral compromises made along the way.

The song's later verses touch on the pain and suffering that shatter idealistic worldviews, with lines like 'the pain that is far more real than you' and 'smashed the Cosmic Model.' Cohen's reference to 'Mea Culpa'—a Latin phrase for expressing guilt—further underscores the theme of repentance and the acknowledgment of one's flaws. The closing lines, which speak of a heart steering towards an unattainable ideal, encapsulate the perpetual struggle for redemption and understanding in an imperfect world.