During the darkest time in history, the Holocaust Jews were banded together waiting to go to the "showers". We know they were not "showers" gas came out not water. Just before entry the German made some Jewish musicans play different songs.
The songs represents death. Cohen sings it from his heart.
When I listen to it I cry. I think of my grandparents, aunts uncles who I never knew what went through their minds?
Am Yisrael Chai.