When his fist album was released in 1967, the author was already well known in his native Canada as a poet and novelist, and in the United States as the writer behind Judy Collins' popular recording of 'Suzanne'. This book includes lyrics from that album, together with many of his classics, such as 'Suzanne', 'Joan of Arc' and 'The Chelsea Hotel'.

Leonard Cohen was born in Montreal in 1934. His collecitons The Spice-Box of Earth, Book of Mercy and the bestselling Collected Poems established his international reputation as a poet. Alongside his records he has published further collections of poetry and two novels. He lives in Los Angeles.