Folk singer Leonard Cohen hopped on the stage on Thursday during his first U.S. concert in 15 years by telling jokes with regard to his advanced age, as well as mocking the hearty themes of one of his best known tracks.

 

The three-hour, six-encore gig, which took place at New York’s Beacon Theater, represented Leonard Cohen’s first U.S. show since he brought his touring to a standstill in order to become a Buddhist monk. However, the musician had to return on the road soon after he lost his retirement savings.

 

The 74-year-old Canadian artist, wearing a black suit and hat, sang hit tunes such as “Bird on the Wire,” “Suzanne,” “In My Secret Life,” “Hallelujah,” “Everybody Knows,” as well as “So Long Marianne,” to standing ovations.

 

Throughout his performance of the poem “A Thousand Kisses Deep,” Leonard Cohen halted briefly on the line: “I’m old but I’m still into that,” thus urging the audience to burst into never-ending howls and applause.

 

The singer told the crowd that a lot of time had passed since he last “stood up on a stage in New York,” explaining that he was around 60 back then, “just a kid with a dream.”

 

Leonard Cohen has been on tour since May and held various performances in Canada, Europe, New Zealand and Australia.

 

The musician is scheduled to launch a North American tour as early as April 2 in Austin, Texas, and will comprise other cities as well, such as Vancouver, Seattle, Chicago, Boston, Quebec City and Ottawa. In addition, he is due to return to New York on May 16 for a gig at Radio City Music Hall.