Hallelujah Lyrics

Like any great writing, different people will interpret Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah in different ways. The melody is inspiring, the words make one truly think, and the song has literally changed my outlook on life. Not to spoil the joy of future interpretations for many who have yet to be inspired by the song, but I hope that someone simply asks Cohen the meaning of the song. He wrote with an inspiration that, perhaps, he will share.

I've search and searched for the original 28 verses. I've recently discovered this work of art and at the same time, it was so familiar. I knew some of the words. It was obviously in my sub-conscious... somewhere.

I think it was Judy Collins that mentioned there was 28 verses and I'd love to at least have a copy of them all. I'm not counting on finding a copy of the entire performance, even thought it would be an unbelievable "WOW" moment.

I'd travel to Afghanistan to pick up a copy ! (if I had the means.)

Thank you for possibly indulging this request !!

~tanya

Subnbellle@aol.com

This song reminds me of my human-ness and our broken-ness. That we often lust after things and people we should not and in the end try to justify it and still give it all praise (HALLELUJAH) just as David and Sampson did in the Bible. I feel the sadness because there is no great middle or ending to these type of affairs...only the beginning with the attraction and the actual act of making love. Beyond that...there is no real substance in the course therefore surrendering not to the relationship but to the consequences with little communication and a HALLELUJAH...praising the relationship anyway as we often times do try to bring glory to our mistakes!

"I know this room, I've walked this floor, I used to live alone before I knew you", just means ok...we're not gonna make it, I was alone before you and I can be alone again.

"I've seen your flag on the marble arch, love is not a victory march", just means, because I fell in love with you doesn't mean I've won anything! There is no prize in having a broken heart. "It's a cold and it's a broken HALLELUJAH!

"Remembering when I moved in you, the Holy dove was moving too just means, that the love making was superb. It was if the heavens were moving across the sky.

"There was a time you let me know, what was going on below", just means, you used to communicate your true feelings to me from your gut.

"Maybe theres a God above but All I ever learned from Love was to shoot at someone who outdrew you", just means, Yes there may be a God (but I'm not God), all I've ever learned to do was go after challenges in my life including love to conquer sometimes the un-conquerable.

"You say I took the name in vein, I don't even know the name, but if I did, well really what's it to you", just means,You believe I professed my undying love to you before God and everything but My belief and my faith are my own but whether I called out His Holy Name or not has nothing to do with the downfall of this relationship.

"I did my best it wasn't much, I couldn't feel so I tried to touch", just means, I tried to love you but love was not there so I settled for just a physical relationship with you.

"I told the truth, I didn't come to fool you. Even tho it all went wrong, I'll stand before the Lord in song, with nothing on my tongue but HALLELUJAH!" ,just means, I'm just trying to be honest with you. Even though we can not make it I will praise the Lord anyway for what we did have! HALLELUJAH,

I love the song because it reminds me of the human errors we continue to make in our relationships!

God Bless Us All!!

I propose that the holy dove verse is set within invisible quotation marks. In other words, it, like possibly one more, is not meant to be quoted from the imaginary singer. There is somewhat of a conversation going on.
"there was a time when you let me know what was really going on below..." below? is he speaking to a woman who no longer shares what goes on below the surface of her appearance, what goes on in the intimacy of her heart? perhaps. but it is possible that he is also being spoken to by a third party, but one almost more intimate than that woman ever was. a presence who is 'above' and who wishes to know what's going on 'below'.
"i remembered when i moved in you and the holy dove was moving too..." the only way one human can physically 'move' inside another is in the act of lovemaking, which is the immediate, obvious interpretation. but as i'm sure many people know from experience, it is very natural and common in relations of a spiritual nature for one to 'move inside' another. a merging, a rushing, a flowing, an infilling by some sort of wave of delicious warmth which is the outer presence. (this of course can also be experienced by two human beings, and often simultaneously with lovemaking, but not necessarily). and as we see, the 'holy dove' was doing the same thing. the holy dove is obviously an individual very much like this invisble speaker, and alludes to the biblical 'holy spirit' 'holy ghost' 'comforter' 'spirit of truth', which at one memorable point manifests itself as a 'white dove from heaven' (gospel of john).
and what of the kitchen chair verse? who is singing it? the singer? refering to himslef in the second person? talking to a mirror? maybe. or maybe it is also spoken to him by this outer presence which seems to have a very intimate, though turbulent, relationship with the torn and despairing singer.
and if this song contains in fact this dialogue, who is this being, this presence who once moved in the author, but now regards him from far with such yearning? it cannot be answered here. but you might know the answer if you yourself had once lived in such spiritual ecstasy as to whisper hallelujah with every breath, and now find yourself like me, cold, broken, and distant. but even in this state there is hope, a mellow sweet feeling. as David himself said after he had gone to bed with that beauty who was bathing on the roof:

purge me with hyssop and i shall be clean,
wash me and i shall be whiter than snow,
make me to hear joy and gladness,
that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice,
the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
(Psalm 51)

Most of Leonard's music deals with the nature of the divine (purity, chastity, loyalty), compared to the reality (betrayal, lust etc, etc). I would venture to suggest this is essentially in the same theme ... You have the poetic and religious Biblical elements (David losing the crown, over going pokey-pokey with Basheba, Samson and Delilah, etc), compared to the 20th Century inanity of shagging the next door neighbour, in the kitchen. And all this 'dove' business (being sperm - ack!) is bollocks - a dove is just a dove; it's a poetic device, for God's sake! Doves represent love, poetry, beauty, hope ... Only an American would see something manky, in the use of a dove! The wholoe concept of the 'broken and lost' Hallelujah is pretty obvious to me, it's all about the impossibility of trying to attain perfection, in the physical world. Everything ends up broken and crippled in Leonard's world; that's why we love it so.

I've been a fan of Cohen since 1965. I'm fascinated by the psuedo-intellectual reactions/interpretations to the lyrics. Quite simply, the poor poet found himself in a relationship with a post-menopausal woman. No longer interested, responsive or WET. I feel for the man. In the end the last"encounder" resulted in a sad and, alas breif, Hallelujah.

Perseus Myrmidon at least you acknowledge your attempt is a stretch. Great art is open to multiple interpretations but the interpretation needs to be consistent through the whole piece. You can’t just pick a few lines to deconstruct poorly.
Perhaps because you’ve read more Marquis de Sade than the Torah you don’t appreciate the references. You fail to explain how the bathing might fit into your view (Sampson did meet Delilah at the brook of Sorek) or the hair cutting or the broken throne. What is the hallelujah being drawn from his lips? The list goes on and on.. white doves are now the universal symbol of sperm? Honestly?
You find what you seem to have brought with you: the prurient – but I can’t find that in the lyrics. If the piece carries you to recall your failed romances of the past, so be it. Where it carries you isn’t the same thing as interpretation.

This, original composition of Hallelujah is Leonard Cohen's message of "There are more than on type of Hallelujah". As the author of the comment titled "Perception" pointed out, there is the exalting one that most are familiar with, and there is the cold, broken hallelujah of embarrassment and repentance. Some may find sexual references in this song, but they weren't intended to be taken that way. Unless of course, you prefer the cover and slight re-write of Jeff Buckley. Buckley refers to his rendition of the song as "The hallelujah to the orgasm", so if you want to make sexual interpretations of the song, go there.

To Anonymous who so graciously commented on the post titled "Perception" by another anonymous writer.

Not many people commend those of different beliefs. There should be more people like you out there. I applaud you.

"He who knows only his side of the case knows little of that. His reason may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them. But if he is equally unable to refute the reason on the opposite side, if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion. The rational position for him would be suspension of judgment, and unless he contents himself with that, he is either led by authority of adopts like the generality of the world, the side to which he feels most inclincation. Nor is it enough that he should hear the arguments of adversaries from his own teachers, presented as they state them, and accompanied by what they offer as refutations. That is not the way to do justice to the arguments or bring them into real contact with his own mind. He must be able to hear them from persons who actually believe them, who defend them in earnest and do their very utmost for them. He must know them in their most plausible and persuasive form; he must feel the whole force of the difficulty which the true view of the subject has to encounter and dispose of, else he will never really possess himself of the portion of truth which meets and removes that difficulty. Ninety-nine in a hundred of what are called educated men are in this condition, even of those who can argue fluently for their opinions." (On Liberty - John Stuart Mill)

There's a point in this song when I hear it song soulfully that I begin to weep. It felt I wept for my broken and lost self. I have fallen more than once from grace and life is now like clinging onto the raft of the Medusa. Whoever took the time to reflect on this song I appreciate your words almost as much as I appreciate the song. Maybe I'll learn to pray deeply again.

I think its quite clear that there is a religous overtone to it, I believe the part where he says 'She cut your hair' is referencing Sampson and how he lost his strength because of temptation and succumbing to the wordly lust. That's just my interpretation, I don't see it nearly as sexually as others seem to.

There is a post below this one, titled "Perception". The reviewer is "Anonymous" and it was posted on 12/12/09.
I just want to say that although I do not ascribe to your specific spiritual, Christian beliefs; or believe the Bible to be a literal historic book in itself; I think your examination of these lyrics was fantastic. You have beautiful linguistic skill; joining the images you take from the song, with meaningful layered beliefs rooted in a deep faith. If you don't already, you should write! A pleasure to read, thank you.

Now I know he doesn't perform it in this manner, but like most artists I believe he leaves room for interpretation. Basically, I think the song is about a faied relationship. Each verse refernces a different stage of said relationship.

A line by line/verse by verse interpretation:

I've heard there was a secret chord
that David played, and it pleased the Lord
[confusion...what do women want...he "herard" but he doesn't KNOW.]
But you don't really care for music, Do you?
It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth
The minor Fall, The major lift,
[A pick up line.]
The baffled king composing, hallelujah
[When your trying to impress someone you always start with something beutific. Like a hallelujah.]

Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty in the moonlight overthrew you
[You didn't know if you loved her, but in the right light you found you did.]
She tied you to a kitchen chair, she broke your throne
she cut your hair and from your lips she drew the halleujah
[Sorry, but I do see S&M and passionate love making here.]

Maybe I've 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
[All this seems the start of an argument to me. Basically your telling the other that love isn't all peaches and cream.]

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?
[A lack of communication will always lead to the demise of a relationship. This is the final accusation.]
And remember when I moved in you
the holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah
[The spiteful words every broken heart spits out at one time of another. "yeah well atleast I laid him/her." "Moved in you" is the act of lovemakin. "The holy dove" is the egg/sperm (hmm, doves are white right???). "And every breath we drew" is telling him/her "yeah, I know you liked it.]

Maybe there's a God above
And all I ever learned from love
Was how to shoot at someone who outdrew you
[Looking for another mate, praying that you find him/her.]
It's not a cry you can hear at night
It's not somebody who's seen the light
it's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
[I think, and this is a strech, this is a reference that true love either does not exist or is so difficult to find that you can't really see it so it's a lost cause.]

The other versions have some more to work with.

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?
[another accusation, told you so type of thing.]
There's a blaze of light
In every word
It doesn't matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah
[sounds kinda like my wife telling me to do what she meant not what she said. lol :-).]

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
[Resignation that the relationship is over.]
And even though
It all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah
[Acceptance and moving on.]

Now I know this is a strech. But I kinda see it like that. Good art always has multiple meanings. Tho I think the more mainstream of the duality of Man or Man vs. God vs. Emotion (Love, Sex) has a little more validity due to LC's performances.

Leonard Cohen is a Levite. The prophecy of post-exilic Judaism is that the scattered Jews will be gathered back to Jerusalem and the Levites will call, lead, and purify & sanctify them. The Hallel-Jahweh, Psalms 113-118 are sung to celebrate incidents of salvation. But Cohen points out that this Hallelujah is an act of penitence (cold and broken=on your knees) more than celebration. The eschatological implications of a song written by a Levite and performed before a world-wide audience at the opening ceremonies of the Olympics are awesome.

It is more than difficult to believe that this song had anything to do with sex.

It was performed by K.D.Lang in front of an audience of thousands at the 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony. I'm sure sex was not what the director wanted to express.