Leonard Cohen and Marianne Ihlen in Hydra, Greece 1960
Leonard Cohen與Marianne Ihlen在六零年代的希臘相識，隨後一起住在加拿大七年。
Marianne是Leonard的繆思，這段時間內，Cohen寫下了So Long, Marianne、Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye，以及Bird on the Wire。
得知Marianne病危，Cohen寫下了這封信給她：
Well, Marianne, it's come to this time when we are really so old and our bodies are falling apart and I think I will follow you very soon.
Know that I am so close behind you that if you stretch out your hand, I think you can reach mine.
請知道我就緊跟在妳後頭，近到如果妳伸出手，就能觸及我的。
And you know that I've always loved you for your beauty and your wisdom, but I don't need to say anything more about that because you know all about that.
妳知道我一直愛著妳的美麗與智慧，但我不需要再多說，因為妳都知道。
But now, I just want to wish you a very good journey. Goodbye old friend. Endless love, see you down the road.
但現在，我只想祝福妳這趟路途順利。再見了，老朋友。帶著無盡的愛，路上見了。
（嗚嗚嗚這段話會讓所有的樂迷都感動落淚吧）
兩天後，Marianne離開人世。
友人讀Leonard的信給她時，她笑得很開心，將手高舉，像是要伸手碰觸緊跟在後的Leonard。
So long, Marianne.
再見了。
Come over to the window, my little darling,
I'd like to try to read your palm.
I used to think I was some kind of Gypsy boy
Before I let you take me home.
Now so long, Marianne, it's time that we began
To laugh and cry and cry and laugh about it all again.
Well you know that I love to live with you,
But you make me forget so very much.
I forget to pray for the angels
And then the angels forget to pray for us.
Now so long, Marianne, it's time that we began ...
We met when we were almost young
Deep in the green lilac park.
You held on to me like I was a crucifix,
As we went kneeling through the dark.
Oh so long, Marianne, it's time that we began ...
Your letters they all say that you're beside me now.
Then why do I feel alone?
I'm standing on a ledge and your fine spider web
Is fastening my ankle to a stone.
Now so long, Marianne, it's time that we began ...
