Legendary Songwriter Leonard Cohen Predicted His Death in a Farewell Letter to His Longtime Friend and Muse

Leonard Cohen met Marianne Ihlen on the Greek island of Hydra in the 1960s. They became lovers for a time and remained friends for the rest of their lives. More than that, Ihlen became Cohen’s muse. She inspired the songs “So Long Marianne” and “Bird on the Wire.”

Videos by American Songwriter

Ihlen died on July 28, 2016, in Norway at the age of 81. Before she passed away, though, she received one final letter from her longtime friend. According to The Guardian, Ilhen’s friend Jan Christian Mollestad contacted Cohen to tell him she was nearing the end of her life. In response, he quickly penned a letter. “It took only two hours, and in came this beautiful letter from Leonard to Marianne. We brought it ot her the next day, and she was fully conscious and she was so happy that he had already written something for her,” Mollestad said.

[RELATED: The Leonard Cohen Lyric Paying Tribute, and Saying Goodbye, to His Favorite Muse]

Leonard Cohen Predicted His Death in His Letter to Marianne Ihlen

Jan Christian Mollestad read Leonard Cohen’s farewell letter to Marianne Ihlen before she died. “Well, Marianne, it’s come to this time when we are really so old and our bodies are falling apart, and I think I will follow you very soon. Know I am so close behind you that if you stretch out your hand, I think you can reach mine,” he wrote.

“And you know that I’ve always loved you for your beauty and your wisdom, but I don’t need to say anything more about that because you know all about that. But now, I just want to wish you a very good journey. Goodbye, old friend. Endless love, see you down the road,” Cohen concluded.

Two days later, Ilhen lost consciousness and slipped away as Mollestad hummed “Bird on the Wire.”

Cohen passed away on November 7, 2016.

Ihlen Inspired Cohen to Write Two Early Songs

Marianne Ihlen inspired Leonard Cohen to write several songs. However, the two most closely connected to her were “So Long, Marianne” and “Bird on the Wire.” The former originally appeared on his 1967 debut album, Song of Leonard Cohen. The latter appeared on his 1969 sophomore album Songs from a Room.

Featured Image by Evening Standard/Getty Images