Hallelujah
by Leonard Cohen
What is “Hallelujah” really about?
If you’ve ever wondered what “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen is really about, you’re not alone. Let’s break it down.
Hallelujah' by Leonard Cohen meditates on the complexities of love, faith, and human experience. The song captures a profound sense of both spiritual and emotional struggle that is both deeply personal and universally relatable.
So… what’s this song really about?
Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah' is a poignant exploration of the highs and lows of love and belief. Throughout the song, Cohen intertwines religious imagery with personal reflections, portraying a journey through love's battlefield where victories are fleeting and peace is fractured. The chorus, with its repeated exclamations of 'Hallelujah,' serves both as a hymn of praise and an ironic commentary on the hardships of love and life. Each verse reveals layers of disillusionment but also moments of clarity and acceptance.
The emotional weight of the song is conveyed through its acknowledgment of both the divine and the broken within the human experience. Cohen's lyrics suggest that the act of singing 'Hallelujah,' despite the cold and broken reality, is in itself a reaffirmation of life and faith amidst trials. This duality—between the hurt and the sacred, the profane and the profound—captures the essence of human resilience and the relentless pursuit of meaning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What inspired Leonard Cohen to write 'Hallelujah'?
Leonard Cohen was inspired by various personal, religious, and literary influences, but the exact motivation remains largely personal and somewhat enigmatic.
Q: How many versions of 'Hallelujah' did Leonard Cohen write?
Leonard Cohen wrote over 80 draft verses for 'Hallelujah.'
Q: Why has 'Hallelujah' been covered by so many artists?
Its emotional depth and flexibility in interpretation make 'Hallelujah' a powerful canvas for various artists to express their unique styles and emotional insights.
Lyrics to “Hallelujah”
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[Chorus]
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
[Verse 4]
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 ya
And even though it all went wrong
I'll stand before the lord of song
With nothing on my tongue but hallelujah
[Chorus]
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
[Outro]
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
[Additional Lyrics]
Baby, I've been here before
I know this room, I've walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew ya
And 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
[Additional Lyrics]
There was a time you let me know
What's really going on below
But now you never show it to me, do ya?
And remember when I moved in you
The holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah
[Additional Lyrics]
Maybe there's a God above
But all I've ever learned from love
Was how to shoot at someone 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