The title and theme of this song by Leonard Cohen is based on Nesaneh Tokef - a prayer we say on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. It contemplates the Heavenly decrees for mankind. For good. And for bad. It ends with the remedy for good: U'Seshuva (repentance), U'Seffila (prayer), U'Tzedaka (charity) Mavirin Es Ro'ah HaGezeira. (Will remove the evil decree.)
It begins:
On Rosh Hashana it is written; And on the fast of Yom Kippur it is sealed. Who will live and who will die...
