Throwback to Lenny Cohen's "The Law". A track where Mr. Cohen mopes and sighs on themes of guilt, justice, and divine punishment amidst a cloud of dreamlike 80s studio musicians on electric instruments. Drawing on biblical imagery, Lenny paints a vivid picture of a person who has fallen from grace and is now facing the consequences of their actions.
The opening lines of the song ("How many times did you call me / And I knew it was late / I left everybody / But I never went straight") suggest that the protagonist is someone who has lived a life of sin and debauchery, ignoring the moral and ethical laws that govern society.
But as the song progresses, Cohen hints at a deeper, more metaphysical understanding of "The Law." He sings, "There's a Law, there's an Arm, there's a Hand," a clear reference to the biblical notion of divine justice. The arm and hand of God are often associated with judgment and punishment, and it seems to suggest that the protagonist is now facing the consequences of their actions.
The imagery becomes even more vivid in the second verse, when it is said: "If the moon has a sister / It's got to be you." This line is a reference to the biblical story of Rachel and Leah, two sisters who were married to the same man (Jacob) and were constantly vying for his affection. The line suggests that the protagonist's actions have caused strife and conflict in their personal relationships, just as Rachel and Leah's rivalry did.
As the song comes to a close, Cohen seems to offer a glimmer of hope, singing "I fell with my angel / Down the chain of command." The protagonist's fall from grace, then, may be seen as a moment of transformation and redemption.
As always, Cohen's lyrics are as poetic as they are profound, and his bassy and haunting vocals and 80s era instrumentation creates a sense of odd beauty that perfectly matches the song's subject matter.
