Montrealers are taking a cue from Italy tonight and gathering on their balconies to sing collectively together, as a heartwarming act of community during social distancing.

A Facebook event announces that at 8 p.m. tonight, Montrealers can gather on porches and balconies to sing So Long, Marianne by Leonard Cohen and Le coeur est un oiseau by Richard Desjardins.

"We as Montrealers are proud of our ability to work together through difficult times," reads the Facebook event. "We did it during the ice storm and we are ready to do it again. So while there are dark clouds ahead, let us gather together and conjure the spirit, endurance, and wit of our favorite son - Leonard Cohen.

"We will be streaming the voice of our virtual choirmaster Martha Wainwright to lead the way, but please all join in with your many voices!"

Discussion on the Facebook event isn't just among Montrealers at this point: folks from Hull, Halifax and Calgary say they plan on joining in too.

Other communities around the world are embracing similar practices as well: Dallas residents leaned out their windows to sing Lean on Me, while people jammed on My Heart Will Go On (go Canada!) from their balconies in Barcelona.

For those looking for the lyrics for So Long, Marianne you can read them below.

So Long, Marianne lyrics

Come over to the window, my little darling

I'd like to try to read your palm

I used to think I was some kind of Gypsy boy

Before I let you take me home

Now so long, Marianne

It's time that we began to laugh

And cry and cry and laugh about it all again

Well, you know that I love to live with you

But you make me forget so very much

I forget to pray for the angels

And then the angels forget to pray for us

Now so long, Marianne

It's time that we began to laugh

And cry and cry and laugh about it all again

We met when we were almost young

Deep in the green lilac park

You held on to me like I was a crucifix

As we went kneeling through the dark

Oh, so long, Marianne

It's time that we began to laugh

And cry and cry and laugh about it all again

Your letters, they all say…