Suzanne

Chords
4.82,177 votes
15
Original
Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams
[Verse 1]
SuEzanne takes you down to her place near the river
You can F#mhear the boats go by, you can spend the night beside her
And you Eknow that she's half-crazy, but that's why you wanna be there
And she G#mfeeds you tea and oranges that come Aall the way from China
And just Ewhen you mean to tell her that you F#mhave no love to give her
Then she Egets you on her wavelength, and she F#mlets the river answer
That you've Ealways been her lover
[Chorus 1]
And you G#mwant to travel with her, and you Awant to travel blind
And you Eknow she will trust you for you've F#mtouched her perfect body
With your Emind
[Verse 2]
And EJesus was a sailor when he walked upon the water
And he F#mspent a long time watching from his lonely wooden tower
And Ewhen he knew for certain only drowning men could see him
He said: "G#mAll men will be sailors then unAtil the sea shall free them"
But Ehe himself was broken long beF#mfore the sky would open
ForEsaken, almost human, he F#msank beneath your wisdom
Like a Estone
[Chorus 2]
And you G#mwant to travel with him, and you Awant to travel blind
And you Ethink maybe you'll trust him for he's F#mtouched your perfect body
With his Emind
[Verse 3]
Now SuEzanne takes your hand, and she leads you to the river
She is F#mwearing rags and feathers from the Salvation Army counter
And the Esun pours down like honey on Our Lady of the Harbour
And she G#mshows you where to look among the Agarbage and the flowers
There are Eheroes in the seaweed, there are F#mchildren in the morning
They are Eleaning out for love, and they will F#mlean that way forever
While SuEzanne holds the mirror
[Chorus 3]
And you G#mwant to travel with her, and you Awant to travel blind
And you Eknow that you can trust her for she's F#mtouched your perfect body
With her Emind
All chords in this song (4)

The story behind the song

"Suzanne" draws its inspiration from Leonard Cohen's platonic connection with dancer Suzanne Verdal. The lyrics paint a picture of the quiet rituals they shared: visits to her Montreal harbour apartment for Constant Comment tea, and walks through Old Montreal, passing the church where sailors received blessings. It's a song that beautifully captures the essence of a deep, non-romantic bond, highlighting shared moments and observations. Playing it feels like stepping into a gentle, contemplative memory of affection and quiet understanding.

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About Suzanne Chords by Leonard Cohen

Learn how to play Suzanne by Leonard Cohen with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Suzanne chords”, “Suzanne guitar chords”, or “Leonard Cohen Suzanne chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Suzanne chords and for experienced players who want accurate Suzanne lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, F#m, G#m, A.

FAQ — Suzanne by Leonard Cohen

How do I play "Suzanne" by Leonard Cohen on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Suzanne" by Leonard Cohen on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Suzanne" by Leonard Cohen free?

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Can I transpose "Suzanne" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Suzanne" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Suzanne"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Suzanne" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Suzanne" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Suzanne" by Leonard Cohen with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Leonard Cohen below.

What key is "Suzanne" in?

The chords for "Suzanne" show the original chord names (including E, F#m, G#m, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.