Partisan "The Partisan" is Cohen's cover of the French song "La Complainte du partisan" by Emmanuel d'Astier and Anna Marly, which is about the French resistance during World War II. The English translation was written by Hy Zaret. The rock journalist Alex Young notes, "[Cohen] is often incorrectly credited as the composer of the song – although he is certainly responsible for its survival." Young also notes that the English translation that Cohen recorded differs from the French in that it excludes the direct references that d'Astier and Marly made in the original lyrics to the occupation of France by Nazi Germany. Charts Certifications References 1969 albums Leonard Cohen albums Albums produced by Bob Johnston Columbia Records albums