I Am Your Man
I Am Your Man - context Summary
Published in 1988
Published in 1988 as the title piece of Cohen's collection I'm Your Man, I Am Your Man presents a late-career speaker offering unconditional, sometimes self-mocking devotion. The context of publication places it in Cohen's mature phase, when he frequently explored desire, commitment, and the compromises of love. The poem balances earnest pledge with ironic awareness of failed promises, showing a lover willing to assume many roles. Knowing its 1988 publication and its place on the I'm Your Man collection helps readers see it as part of Cohen's ongoing interrogation of intimacy and performance.
Read Complete AnalysesIf you want a lover I'll do anything you ask me to, and if you want another kind of love I'll wear a mask for you. If you want a partner take my hand or if you want to strike me down in anger here I stand. I'm your man if you want a boxer I will step into the ring for you, and if you want a doctor I'll examine every inch of you, if you want a driver climb inside or if you want to take me for a ride you know you can - I'm your man. Ah, the moon's too bright, the chain's too tight, the beast won't go to sleep, I've been running through these promises to you that I made and I could not keep, ah but a man never got a woman back not by begging on his knees, or I'd crawl to you baby and I'd fall at your feet and I'd howl at your beauty like a dog in heat, and I'd claw at your heart and I'd tear at your sheet I'd say please, please I'm your man. And if you've got to sleep a moment on the road I will steer for you, and if you want to work the street alone I'll disappear for you, if you want a father for your child or only want to walk with me a while across the sand I'm your man. If you want a lover I'll do anything you ask me to, and if you want another kind of love I'll wear a mask for you.
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