Meaning of "It Seemed the Better Way" by Leonard Cohen

"It Seemed the Better Way" explores the disillusionment that can come from placing faith in someone's words or ideas, only to realize that they no longer hold true. The song suggests that words can change meaning or lose their original intent. The speaker reflects on the initial impact of someone's words, which appeared to offer a better path or truth. However, time has revealed that these words were not as truthful as they initially seemed. The mention of love and death signifies fundamental aspects of the human experience, which the speaker believed the initial words touched upon. Yet, as the speaker has come to understand, these words have lost their resonance and truthfulness.

The repetition of "sounded like the truth, seemed the better way" represents the speaker's yearning for something to believe in, their desire for the words to be true. This repetition also highlights the speaker's growing disillusionment and disappointment as they realize the fallibility of these words. The line "lift this glass of blood, try to say the grace" can be interpreted metaphorically as the speaker attempting to find solace or meaning in a world that has let them down. The reference to blood suggests sacrifice or suffering, while saying grace denotes seeking blessing or understanding. This moment symbolizes the speaker's effort to find some sort of meaning or redemption despite realizing the falsehood of the initial words.

Overall, "It Seemed the Better Way" conveys the universal experience of trusting and placing faith in something or someone, only to be let down by the inconsistencies of words and the changing nature of truth. It reflects on the complexity of human perception, the influence of time, and the search for meaning in a world that can seem deceptive and uncertain.