In October 1973, while the was raging, Cohen traveled to the Sinai Peninsula to perform for Israeli soldiers on the front lines. Returning from the harsh sights of the desert, he felt a deep connection to these ancient themes of fragility and survival. He adapted the prayer's cadence into his own lyrics, released in 1974 on the album New Skin for the Old Ceremony . The Musical Experience The official audio of "Who by Fire" is characterized by:
While the prayer lists biblical-style fates, Cohen adds contemporary anxieties, wondering who will die "by his own hand" or "in his latest command". leonard_cohen_who_by_fire_audio
Each verse ends with the chilling refrain: "And who shall I say is calling?" . This line transforms the song from a religious ritual into a personal mystery, suggesting that behind the chaos of fate, there is a singular, unidentifiable voice. Why It Resonates In October 1973, while the was raging, Cohen
The song’s core is built upon the a pivotal prayer recited during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. This liturgy describes God "writing the book of life" and determining who will live and who will die in the coming year—by fire, by water, by hunger, or by thirst. The Musical Experience The official audio of "Who
Cohen maintains the repetitive "Who by..." structure, which mirrors the rhythmic chanting found in synagogues.
Listeners often find the song helpful for processing grief or the "dark hours" of life. It doesn't offer easy answers; instead, it provides a shared space to acknowledge the mystery of existence. As Cohen famously noted in a different context, "There's a crack in everything—that’s how the light gets in". "Who by Fire" is that crack, inviting light into the heavy reality of our own mortality. Leonard Cohen - Who by Fire (Official Audio)
Leonard Cohen 's haunting song is more than just a piece of music; it is a profound meditation on mortality, fate, and the human condition. Its story begins not in a recording studio, but in the ancient liturgy of the Jewish faith and the stark reality of modern warfare. The Origins: A Prayer and a War