Well 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?
Well it goes like this
The fourth, the fifth, the minor fall and the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

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

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

But baby I've been here before
I've seen this room and I've walked this floor
You know, I used to live alone before I knew ya
And I've seen your flag on the marble arch
And love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Well there was a time when you let me know
What's really going on below
But now you never show that to me do ya
But remember when I moved in you
And the holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Maybe there's a God above
But all I've ever learned from love
Was how to shoot somebody who outdrew ya

And it's not a cry that you hear at night
It's not somebody who's seen the light
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Hallelujah


Lyrics submitted by fallen_crow05

Hallelujah Lyrics as written by Leonard Cohen

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen cover) song meanings
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    General Comment

    I think that the melody in the RW version really adds a lot to the song, versus the JB version melody is almost nonexistent, and makes you focus on his voice. I also think that the stronger less, well whisper-y (JB) voice of Rufus Wainwright makes the song more powerful than the JB version. I just plain didn't like the LC version, who sung it like a jazz song, and didn't really like the JB version much either, though I understand why some people prefer that version over RW's. I think JB doesn't really put any music into his, or at least not enough. RW's version just puts more... Well drama isn't the right word but neither is compassion or love. I guess I just found the JB version rather dry and softly sandy. And he adds in too many extra words; 'and' and 'you' in particular.

    Rosiebee191on November 19, 2010   Link

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