The song is six-eight time. I use the following simple finger picking pattern, which I think is similar to what Cohen plays on the record (except the first verse).
e -----0---0---- H -----2---2---- ---2---2---2-- -------------- -0------------ e -------------- / / / / / / :- each slash indicates an eighth note
Verses:
The rain falls down on last year's man
That's a Jews harp on the table, that's a crayon in his hand.
And the corners of the blue print are ruined since they rolled
Far past the stems of thumb tacks that still throw shadows on the wood.
And the skylight is like the skin for a drum I'll never mend
And all the rain falls down, Amen, on the works of last year's man.
(Same chord progression for the other verses:)
I met a lady, she was playing with her soldiers in the dark Oh, one by one she had to tell them that her name was Joan of Arc. I was in that army, yes I stayed a little while I want to thank you Joan of Arc for treating me so well. And tho' I wear a uniform I was not born to fight All these wounded boys you lie beside; good night my friends, goodnight.
I came upon a wedding that old fam'lies had contrived Bethlehem the bridegroom Babylon the bride. Great Babylon was naked Ah! she stood there trembling for me And Bethlehem inflamed us both like the shy one at some orgy. And when we fell together all our flesh was like a veil That I had to draw aside to see the serpent eat its tail.
Some women wait for Jesus and some women wait for Cain So I hang upon my altar and I hoist my axe again. And I take the one who finds me back to where it all began When Jesus was the honeymoon and Cain was just the man. And we read from pleasant bibles that are bound in blood an skin That the wilderness is gathering all its children back again.
The rain falls down on last year's man An hour has gone by and he has not moved his hand. But everything will happen if he only gives the word The lovers will rise up and the mountains touch the ground. But the skylight is like skin for a drum I'll never mend And all the rain falls down, Amen, on the works of last year's man.
