STORY OF ISAAC (Leonard Cohen)


INTRO:  Am        F    Am/E        F    Am/E        F    Am/E    


     Am              F       Am             F
The door it opened slowly my father he came in
       G     F    E          Am             F
I was nine years old and he stood so tall above me
 Am                  F                G         F     E   G
Blue eyes they were shinning and his voice was very cold
C
  Said, "I've had a vision and you know I'm strong and holy
       D        A         B          F              Bb
I must do what I've been told so he started up the mountain
   E   F             Bb           E  F  G              A
I was running he was walking and his ax   was made of gold 


     Am                    F          Am            F
The trees, they got much smaller the lake a lady's mirror
     G          F         E            Am              F
We stopped to drink some wine then he threw the bottle over
 Am             F            G        F     E    G
Broke a minute later and he put his hand on mine
C
  Thought I saw an eagle but it might have been a vulture
   D      A      B            F              Bb
I never could decide then my father built an altar, 
    E      F               Bb      E   F   G              A
He looked once behind his shoulder he knew   I would not hide


 Am                F            Am               F
You who build the altars now to sacrifice these children
             G     F   E       Am              F
You must not do it any more a scheme is not a vision
        Am               F            G    F     E   G
And you never have been tempted by a demon or a god
C
  You who stand above them now your hatchets blunt and bloody
    D       A      B          F        Bb
You were not there before when I lay upon a mountain
       E       F       Bb      E        F    G        A
And my father's hand was trembling with the beauty    of the word


   Am             F           Am            F
And if you call me brother now forgive me if I inquire
             G    F    E          Am               F
Just according to  whose plan? When it all comes down to dust
Am            F               G      F    E   G
I will kill you if I must I will help you if I can
C
  When it all comes down to dust I will help you if must
       D      A    B      F          Bb
I will kill you if I can and mercy on our uniform
       E       F    Bb      E        F   G      A
Man of peace or man of war the peacock spreads    his fan