Montreal took inspiration from Italy tonight when residents sang the Leonard Cohen classic So Long, Marianne from their balconies. Many recorded their efforts and posted videos to social media.

The initiative started when local music festival POP Montreal and URSA, a community space founded by singer and songwriter Martha Wainwright, posted the event on Facebook.

People across the city of Montreal are singing Leonard Cohen songs from their balconies tonight 😍- 📹 https://t.co/0vRz26NBgC_ #Canada #Montreal #MTL #YUL #CanadaLockdown #StayHomeCanada #CoronavirusCanada #COVIDCanada pic.twitter.com/s7hGJOJxsh

— Freshdaily (@freshdaily) March 23, 2020

Thousands of people expressed interest in the event and it gained momentum throughout the day as word spread.

Montrealers singing Leonard songs from our balconies. 🌟 #mtlmoments #Montreal #COVIDー19 #caremongering #StayAtHome #balconychallenge #musicathome #solongmarianne ❤️ #SocialDistancing pic.twitter.com/pR22WAUTER

— Kendra B (@kaleidoscopo) March 23, 2020

Some videos were posted by individuals who sang by themselves.

so long, marianne pic.twitter.com/nRnmPyhQSM

— Fouâd Oveisy (@FouadOveisy) March 23, 2020

While others were families of parents and kids.

Outremont joins in to @popmontreal's So Long, Marianne de Balcon Montréal! We connected with our neighbours across the street who we never met until tonight. What a special experience. #MerciMontreal pic.twitter.com/TMXO9gYP6Z

— jennifer dorner (@jenniferdorner) March 23, 2020

Martha Wainwright herself live streamed her version of the song on Facebook.

Martha Wainwright live stream: https://t.co/3wFmikK0Mi

— POP Montréal (@popmontreal) March 23, 2020

Not everyone in the city participated. Some reported they were the only ones singing in their entire neighbourhood.

Well, I sang along to So Long, Marianne on my balcony. No one else did in the hood. We got one glance. Hate to be a critic but Martha Wainwright’s version was odd and difficult to follow. It was fun and neighbours didn’t throw rotten fruit so there’s that.

— Linda (@sophistikitten) March 23, 2020

For some, the sounds of Montrealers coming together together as they practice social distancing brought tears to their eyes.

Brought to tears. Thank you fellow Montréalers for what was possibly the most beautiful rendition of #solongmarianne that I’ve ever heard.#solidarity

— Avigail (@Avigail) March 23, 2020

We don't know what's going to happen in the weeks and months to come in Canada as we social distance in an effort to fight COVID-19 but it's moments like this that Montrealers and Canadians will no doubt remember.