Leonard Cohen, a Canadian poet-turned-musician, was basically our generation’s songwriter-philosopher who could turn life’s darkest moments into beautiful poetry.

He gave us songs that spoke to the soul, mixing spirituality with raw human emotions. He did it all in that deep, mesmerizing voice that felt like a warm embrace on a cold night.

Even though he started his music career pretty late at 33, his songs like “Hallelujah” and “Suzanne” became anthems for both the broken-hearted and the hopeful.

About The Song

Hallelujah explores the complexities of love, faith, and human relationships through biblical references and personal experiences, weaving together sacred and profane elements to create a universal hymn about life’s bittersweet nature.

Hallelujah Lyrics by Leonard Cohen

Verse 1

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 ya?
It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing “Hallelujah”

Chorus

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Verse 2

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 a kitchen chair
She broke your throne and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

Chorus

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Verse 3

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 ya?
There’s a blaze of light in every word
It doesn’t matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah

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

Live Performances of Hallelujah

Hallelujah: Live in London

Hallelujah: Live in Glastonbury

Hallelujah: Live in Austin

Similar Songs Like Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen

Like Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen, which shares similar themes, musical elements, and emotional tones:

• Suzanne – A deeply poetic song that weaves spirituality with human connection, featuring Cohen’s signature storytelling style and gentle melodic progression, exploring themes of love and divine experience.
• Famous Blue Raincoat – A deeply personal letter-style song that delves into themes of betrayal, forgiveness, and complex relationships, carrying the same emotional weight and narrative depth as Hallelujah.
• If It Be Your Will – Shares Hallelujah’s spiritual undertones and prayer-like quality, exploring themes of surrender and faith with similar hymn-like qualities and profound lyrics.
• Dance Me to the End of Love – While more rhythmic, it carries the same blend of sacred and profane love themes, with poetic lyrics that transcend ordinary romance into something spiritual.
• Who By Fire – Based on a Jewish prayer, this song shares Hallelujah’s religious undertones while exploring mortality and judgment with similar poetic complexity.
• Chelsea Hotel #2 – Though more explicitly personal, it shares Hallelujah’s ability to transform intimate experiences into universal truths with similar raw emotional honesty.
• The Window – Features similar religious imagery and metaphors, exploring themes of love and spirituality with the same kind of poetic depth and melodic solemnity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “She Tied You to the Kitchen Chair” Mean?

The line is a metaphorical and literal reference to intimate passion and submission in a relationship, suggesting both physical and emotional vulnerability between lovers.

What is the Most Famous Version of Hallelujah?

Jeff Buckley’s 1994 version of Hallelujah is widely considered the most iconic cover, and his haunting vocals and emotional delivery have helped popularize the song globally.