So this is a companion filk to the one I delurked with, which was also a Cohen song. You can find it here. That was based on Famous Blue Raincoat, this is based on So Long, Marianne.
Also, you should read the book I'm about to quote, if you haven't already.
When she is old, grey-haired, he will love her for all the seasons she contains.I Was Amelia Earhart by Jane Mendelsohn
Angel sits in his car, steeling himself for the drive back to L.A. He starts the ignition, wincing as the radio in the GTX blares a Manilow tune. Already peeling out of the deserted town, he scrabbles around for a cassette, jamming in the first tape he finds. Sweet relief, Leonard Cohen. Over the dark, empty miles, his anger and confusion start to fade. Images of Buffy kicking Caleb’s ass, cracking a corny pun, and reaching up to kiss him superimpose themselves on his view of the highway. Angel has to admit, she’s changed a lot. He remembers his first glimpse of her, lollipop and all. He remembers their first meeting and their most recent. He remembers one short exchange in between, just his four words and her one in reply. A faint smile flickers at the corner of his mouth. He ain’t getting any older. The lyrics start to rearrange themselves in his head…
So Long, Buffy Anne
I wish I could have told you, my lethal darling,
Of Cordy, Jasmine, and my son.
I used to think I was some kind of champion,
but more and more I just don’t know…
Now so long, Buffy Anne, it’s time that you began
To slay and kill and kill and slay to save the world again.
Well you know that I’d love to live with you,
but you make me forget so very much.
I forgot the reasons I was Angel,
And so then I awoke as Angelus…
Now so long, Buffy Anne…
We met when you were very young
But I’d passed the two-century mark.
You burned me with your love and your crucifix
As we went slaying through the dark.
Oh so long, Buffy Anne...
You wouldn’t let me stay beside you now;
It hurts to know Spike waits at home.
But years down the line, please keep me in mind,
When you’re no longer cookie dough…
Now so long, Buffy Anne...
For now I’ll settle for your hidden love
On this long road back to “Hell A.”
You think I left you feeling furious --
I’ve just gotten tired of acting brave
Oh so long, Buffy Anne...
So you’re no longer the only chosen one --
You won by breaking all the rules again.
I fell for the girl who would save the world,
I love more the woman she became…
Oh so long, Buffy Anne...
yup, edited to fix html (3 times)