Hallelujah

you posted this 6 years ago....<br /> however. I definitely want to go on a road trip with you and your friend!!<br /> <br /> I have been trying to interpret this song for years and this is the most amazing explanation..<br /> <br /> Cheers and xoxox!!

I was actually going to post kind of what you posted. The song seems to be both literal and metaphor. Like you said, the beginning is about David. But the second part about cutting hair, is probably about Samson. I think it's about how people get enticed with their own lust and love and take their eyes off God, but it fails. And at first, they're like 'Oh come on, I did it for this.' And they're trying to rationalize it to God and them self (which we all do when we really mess up). But then they realize they messed up and admit they screwed up and humble themselves to God. At the end, they all pretty much say, 'I'm sorry God. I didn't go to you and tried on my own. I gave in to myself. I got too caught up in this. I tried, but it wasn't hard enough.' And they then they usually go back with God and sing praises because He forgave them or helped them out.

Well put..Thank you!!!

I have been thinking about this song a lot recently. I think it's right to say he is using both references from the King David story AND the Samson story. But where I differ is I really think he's talking about the fact that someone can have faith and it IS strong but if you don't act within the ideal believer confines (ex: the way you look(they didn't like "your" hair so they "cut your hair")and not watching your tongue(You say I took the name in vain) or they will break you down (broke your thrown) saying that you are weak and not right in faith even if you are a good person (I did my best, it wasn't much<br /> I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you) then show you how it should be done(She broke your throne, and she cut your hair and from your lips she drew the hallelujah).<br /> <br /> Then throughout the the song he's referencing "hallelujah" to something sad and broken (hence the reason you feel a little sad when you listen to the song AND lyrics). He sees this sadness and he is seeing it's wrong to have this mindset of being closed minded. It doesn't matter if you use words that might offend because "They just don't like it" and if anything it should be a way to shed light on great and true no matter what the word ( 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) <br /> <br /> The last verse touches on how he thinks it's sad that he could be a good and honest person and STILL people are telling him he's wrong and and he isn't "A man of faith" but he doesn't care because when he faces his faith and where his heart is in the end, he will still feel like he is as "holy" as any other person<br /> <br /> I did my best, it wasn't much<br /> I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch<br /> I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you<br /> And even though<br /> It all went wrong<br /> I'll stand before the lord of song<br /> With nothing on my tongue but hallelujah<br /> <br /> and last but not least The first verse. I chose this last because this is what set the scene and emotion that makes the foundation of this song, which makes it the strongest part. He is saying that he has something to say to people in the only way he knows through song. And he believes it is a strong message but, he let's the audience know that they might not care for it.<br /> <br /> Now I've heard there was a secret chord<br /> That David played, and it pleased the Lord<br /> But you don't really care for music, do you?<br /> It goes like this<br /> The fourth, the fifth<br /> The minor fall, the major lift<br /> The baffled king composing hallelujah<br /> <br /> I think the only reason he pulled the bible into it was to set his audience to those who relate themselves to the bible BUT, I think this song is FAR from religious in fact I think he was making a statement AGAINST the church, if anything.<br />

I like this interpretation best...however, in the part where she cut his hair...its hair, not "heir"....and I believe this is also a biblical reference to Samson and Delilah. His holy strength was in his hair. He was a Nazarite, and took a vow to never cut his hair, as a commitment to God. He lusted for Delilah, and the woman broke him down......and he told her that his secret to his strength was in his hair.... she cut it. Publicly exposing his weakness. -Judges 16.

This related way to much to the bible. Cohen has been quoted as saying:<br /> <br /> "It had references to the Bible in it, although these references became more and more remote as the song went from the beginning to the end. Finally I understood that it was not necessary to refer to the Bible anymore. And I rewrote this song; this is the 'secular' 'Hallelujah.' "<br /> <br /> So, while I defintely don't mean to discount your relationship to the song, your interpretation just doesn't match what he has said and the other parts of the verse. <br /> <br /> Read more:<br /> rollingstone.com/music/news/exclusive-book-excerpt-leonard-cohen-writes-hallelujah-in-the-holy-or-the-broken-20121203

@bluedrummajor Love your analysis!

@bluedrummajor I made this account just to say you've brought a new meaning to this song for me even 14 years later.

@bluedrummajor thank the LORD I want in that car ????

thank the lord I WASNT in that car ???? HOW the BLEEP do you REMOVE bleeped up replies ????? ????