Suzanne Lyrics in English Fabrizio De André

Home / Lyrics Translation / Fabrizio De André / Suzanne

Below, I translated the lyrics of the song Suzanne by Fabrizio De André from Italian to English.

These lyrics have verified word for word translations. Click any lyric word to see the translation and hear the pronunciation!

In her place by the river

Suzanne wanted you beside her

And now you listen to the boats go by

Now you can sleep beside her

Yes, you know she's crazy

But that's why you're with her

And she offers you tea and oranges

That she brought from China

And just as you're about to tell her

That you don't have love to give her

She's already on your wave

And makes the river answer you

That you've always been lovers

And you want to travel with her

You want to travel with her blindly

Because you know you've touched her body

Her perfect body with your mind

And Jesus was a sailor

Until he walked on the water

And he stayed a long time watching alone

From his wooden tower

And then when he was sure

That only the drowned

Could see him

He said, "Be sailors till the sea sets you free."

And he himself was broken

But more human, abandoned

In our minds he didn't sink

And you want to travel with him

You want to travel with him blindly

Maybe you'll trust him

Because he touched your body with his mind

And Suzanne takes your hand

She leads you along the river

She wears rags and feathers

Taken from some dormitory

The sun pours down like honey

On her, woman of the harbor

Who shows you the colors

Between the garbage and the flowers

You find heroes among the rotting seaweed

And children in the morning

Who lean out to love

And they'll always do so

And Suzanne holds the mirror

And you want to travel with her

You want to travel with her blindly

Because you know she's touched your body

Your perfect body with her mind

Lyrics and Translations Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Leonard Cohen

Did you like these lyrics?

SONG MEANING

Suzanne draws you to the riverbank where reality slips into a dream. Suzanne, a free-spirited muse wrapped in "rags and feathers," offers tea and oranges from China, beckoning you to drift on the water of her imagination. She seems a little crazy, yet that very madness opens a portal to a love that is felt more with the mind than with the body. Drifting beside her, you sense that the river itself whispers that you and Suzanne have always been lovers, destined to voyage together blindly, guided by the vivid colors she reveals among garbage and flowers.

Midstream, De André interweaves the tale of Jesus the sailor, who walks on water and teaches that only those who risk drowning truly see. This mystical detour mirrors the pull of Suzanne: both invite you to surrender, to trust what cannot be grasped with hands. By the song’s end, Suzanne holds up a mirror; in her reflection you glimpse hidden beauty, childlike wonder and the fragile heroes of everyday life. The journey becomes a lesson in faith, empathy and the power of seeing the world— and yourself— through the eyes of someone who touches your perfect body with the mind.

Did you know?

In addition to reading lyric translations, you can now learn Italian with music and lyrics from your favorite artists.

Yes, including Suzanne by Fabrizio De André!

No more boring lessons. You can now learn with engaging and culturally relevant lyrics from the best artists.

Fabrizio De André Suzanne Lyrics