Hallelujah...

One of my favorite songs is a piece called "Hallelujah" that was originally written by arguably one of the greatest American songwriters of the 20th century, Leonard Cohen. For those that may not know of him, his songs are most familiar with when other people have covered them, but he in his own right is a performer as well. A bit on the side of Tom Waits in that his style is rough and bare. For some it can take a bit to get used to.

Most people are now familiar with the song that Rufus Wainwright did as a rendition in the movie "Shrek". Also, Jeff Buckley has a quite popular rendition that has been on the radio for quite some time now. It has been covered by over 100 artists that I am aware of and I have included a few links here for your enjoyment.

The lyrics are pure and profound to say the least. This is a testament to simply trying your best and rolling the dice at the holy gates that you will be seen as truth.



Hallelujah
by Leonard Cohen


Now I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this: The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah

Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you to a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

Baby I have been here before
I know this room, I've walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew you.
I've seen your flag on the marble arch
Love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah

There was a time you let me know
What's real and going on below
But now you never show it to me, do you?
And remember when I moved in you
The holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah

You say I took the name in vain
I don't even know the name
But if I did, well really, what's it to you?
There's a blaze of light in every word
It doesn't matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah

I did my best, it wasn't much
I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you
And even though it all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah



Leonard Cohen - Hallelujah
KD Lang - Hallelujah
Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah
Rufus Wainwright - Hallelujah
Brian Melo - Hallelujah