Serena Ryder: "Sisters Of Mercy"

oh the sisters of mercy,
they are not departed or gone.
they were waiting for me
when i thought that i just can't go on.
and they brought me their comfort
and later they brought me this song.
oh i hope you run into them,
you who've been traveling so long.

yes you who must leave everything
that you cannot control.
it begins with your family,
but soon it comes around to your soul.
well i've been where you're hanging,
i think i can see
how you're pinned:
when you're not feeling holy,
your loneliness says that you've sinned.

they lay down beside me,
i made my confession to them.
they touched both my eyes
and i touched the dew on their hem.
if your life is a leaf
that the seasons tear off and condemn,
they will bind you with love
that is graceful and green as a stem.

when i left they were sleeping.
i hope you run into them soon.
don't turn on the lights,
you can read their address by the moon.
and it won't make me jealous
if i hear that they sweetened your night.
we weren't lovers like that
and besides it would still be all right.

--leonard cohen