Hallelujah is one of the most popular songs by Leonard Cohen and it has been performed hundred of times by many different artists. The version I'm sharing here is one of the most beautiful covers made by Rufus Wainwright.
It's not a religous praise even if it seems so, but anyway, even if it was I wouldn't mind because it's almost impossible not to feel touched by this song.
In its lyric, Cohen makes use of the Judeo-Christian symbology to express the bliss and sorrow of love:
Lyrics:
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 you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah...
Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you to a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah...
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?
There's a blaze of light
In every word
It doesn't matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah...
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
And even though it all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah...
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah...
Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you to a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah...
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?
There's a blaze of light
In every word
It doesn't matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah...
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
And even though it all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah...
And here is Mr. Cohen:
Replies
Dear Mary! I DO appreciate it so much! Enjoy! I hope I will be able to have my piano recorded professionaly one day!
Hi, dear Mary! I am really happy you like Dan's piano as this aggangement has been highly appreciated by many professional pianists and composers. It is so sensitive and so powerful, with right "minor falls and major lifts", like love itself. But it is not easy to be performed with the crisscrossed hands almost all the time, especially after many drinks. Our Danny is a really "modest" person! "One false note", he is kidding! We both have absolute pitch and we do know how many false cords and notes are on this record! Ha-ha! But it is a home record, for us only.
As to his guitar version, he did it lite intentionaly, as a dancing melody. It is also good, but not as good as his piano. Anyway, thank you, dear! Danny will be happy to read your comment. Like all artists, he needs a storm of applause so badly! Ha-ha! He is such a show-off, but when his fingers touch the strings or keyboard, any junk starts sounding magical. When I am angree with this guy, I don't let him tough any instrument, as he will be forgiven immediately! Power of music, what else to say! Ha-ha!
Tanya! Thanks for sharing these two covers played by Danny! They are really good!!
I personally like the piano version, but both are cool :)))
I couldn't have imagined that posting this song I could 'discover' so many things!! :D
Thanks a lot!
Btw, Tanya don't apologize for anything! I've been enjoying your convo here as well :)
@Danny, in case you've time to read this, I think you should consider to ask Risty Aven to join your band. She also has a pretty nice voice so she could be like the 'guest artist' or something like that :D
Risty, dear! It is quite clear what you meant and we surely have many topics to discuss and we will. Have you read my yesterday's blog about power of music? It really needs commenting.
As to Dan's music, if you decide to use it as an accompaniment for your dances, let it be his guitar. Any guitar sounds so perfect when he touches its strings!
Mary, dear! I have to apologize for talking with Risty here. But discussions are for others to discuss something here.
Dear Teacher Tanya, what I mean about meeting half-way was aside from religion there are so many topics that we could possibly discuss, you know, if a person has a prejudices to someone, tends to involve all aspect/ all areas of knowledge to the particular opinion towards personal beliefs, I believe even if we have/us has opposite views in one area, we could still meet in different areas.. I’m just hopeful, just like here in EC, we have one thing in common-English language, me as a learner and you both as my nice and thoughtful teachers.
If I will use that, it’ll be an interpretative dance...how cute, how romantic.haha.
Thanks, Teacher Tanya!
Anyway, sorry Mary, I’ve used some of your discussions space to elaborate opinions irrelevant to the main purpose of it.haha.
Tanya said:
Piano
Leonard Cohen Hallelujah (piano cover by Danny Clark).lite.mp3
Hi, everyone! I have managed to comptess our mp3 files and I hope, I can post them now. If Danny feels like bragging, let it be so. But if I were him, I wouldn't post his piano arrangement. There are a few wrong cords. But I sincerely hope you will forgive him as this record was taken during a party after a few (ha-ha!) drinks.
Dear Risty! You don't have to reply to my comment about your parable. I have already said what we mean just for you to know we don't have to meet somewhere in between religion and science to be HUMAN in the best sense of the word.
As a matter of fact, if you like to use Dan's instrumental for your dancing, we both will be more than happy.
Dear Mary! I hope, you will tell us your opinion about Dan's arrangements.
Hallelujah Leonard Cohen -(Instrumental Cover, Guitar Danny Clark)...
Oh my, oh myyyyy! I haven't seen this coming, I'm speechless.haha, I need some time to come back to my senses and answer what Teacher Tanya said, she deserves a response from me, really.
hmmm, I can say the song is romantic because I fell in love with our Church songs, if there's a chance I will show you and Teacher Tanya my performance, in private. :)
Danny Clark said:
http://www.myenglishclub.com/profiles/blogs/my-new-writing-challang...
For me, a dance is a dance, a song is a song. I mean skills, talent. It is art and it is out of here. It is what inspires us, makes us better. You know I am a romantic, so any good dance is ok with me!
Dear Risty! It is of no matter for me what God we trust or not. You are a great human being, a wonderful lady and it is only one thing that makes sense. Have you read Tanya's reply to your comment? You should!
http://www.myenglishclub.com/profiles/blogs/my-new-writing-challang...
For me, a dance is a dance, a song is a song. I mean skills, talent. It is art and it is out of here. It is what inspires us, makes us better. You know I am a romantic, so any good dance is ok with me!
Never heard? I posted in Luci's discussion "kill your fear..." my tone of voice is a holy night song..solemn..hahaha...as to my dance, whew! you'll get disappointed (maybe) because it's a song of praise to God. :)
Danny Clark said:
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