Meaning of "Treaty" by Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen's "Treaty" delves into the complexities of love, longing, and the aftermath of a failed relationship. The song opens with the narrator acknowledging their awareness of the loved one's extraordinary abilities, symbolized by the imagery of changing water into wine and back to water. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for their loved one's capacity to bring joy and then take it away, leaving the narrator feeling unable to sustain a satisfactory connection.
The repeated line "I wish there was a treaty between your love and mine" highlights the narrator's longing for a resolution, a way to reconcile the differences and complications in the relationship. They express a sense of fatigue and anger, indicating that the struggle to maintain a harmonious connection has worn them down over time. The desire for a treaty implies the hope for a compromise or mutual understanding, emphasizing the longing for a solution that goes beyond mere forgiveness or acceptance.
The second verse introduces a jubilant scene of people dancing in the streets, symbolizing a newfound sense of freedom after sacrificing themselves for love. The narrator feels remorseful for the person they have turned their loved one into, acknowledging that only one of them was authentic in the relationship, suggesting a power dynamic or imbalance. The lines "I haven't said a word since you been gone, that any liar couldn't say as well" reveal the narrator's struggle to find their own voice and express their true emotions in the absence of the loved one.
The chorus is repeated, emphasizing the frustration and longing for a treaty. The final verse introduces the metaphor of a snake shedding its skin, representing a transformation or rebirth. The snake shedding its scales to find the snake within implies a search for true identity, for authenticity after shedding past sins and mistakes. However, the toxic effects of the past are still present, symbolized by the poison that enters everything. It suggests that the consequences of past actions continue to affect the present, further intensifying the desire for a resolution.
In "Treaty," Leonard Cohen explores the complexities of relationships, the yearning for reconciliation, and the consequences of past actions. The lyrics resonate with a sense of longing and weariness, reflecting the emotional toll of unresolved conflicts and unfulfilled desires. The song speaks to the universal struggle of finding harmony in relationships, offering a poignant exploration of the human experience.
