The Baffled King

Composing Hallelujah

Music is the emotional life of most people.

Leonard Cohen

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The Baffled King

Composing Hallelujah

How many variations are there for this poem? The song?

Leonard claimed about 150 verses (draft verses?), which his journal seemed to support. I also can’t think of a reason to doubt him. There’s nothing gained by lying about that.

But there are a few that are more widely known. Think Rufus Wainwright or Jeff Buckley.

The effect of “Hallelujah” on individuals and society as a whole is impossible to quantify… and qualify.

I often look up from where I am as a poet and a lyricist to see how much closer I have come to rising to this level. And I find each time the perspective is incorrect.

First, I don’t consider myself a poet or lyricist.

Second, it feels disrespectful to measure against this particular work of art, as though it’s simply a measuring stick, its value nothing but a clinical application of language and prose.

So I will catch myself doing that and force myself to reframe.

I have some questions I’m genuinely interested in your answers to:

What does Hallelujah mean to you?

Did you like it? Does it mean anything?

Do you have a favorite version?

Is it Rufus? It’s often Rufus.

I do love Rufus. Shrek was a great movie.

I also can’t get over Jeff Buckley. Just, wow.

And Leonard’s versions are haunting.

Below are the lyrics from Leonard’s “Various Positions” album, then the lyrics from the more widely known “Live” performances and Jeff Buckley/Rufus Wainwright.

Anyway, enjoy:

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 falls, the major lifts
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, 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
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, 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
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, 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
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah...

And now, the other versions:

Baby I've been here before
I know this room, I've walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew you
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

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

There was a time you let me know
What's really going on below
but now you never show it to me, do you?
And remember when I moved in you
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 ever learned from love
Was how to shoot at someone who outdrew you
It's no complaint you hear tonight
It's not some pilgrim who's seen the light
it's a cold and it's a lonely(/broken )Hallelujah

And finally, the popular variation of the end:

Maybe there's a God above
And all I ever learned from love
Was how to shoot at someone who outdrew you
It's not a cry you can hear at night
It's not somebody who's seen the light
It's a cold and its a broken Hallelujah

Jeff Buckley:

Rufus Wainwright:

Leonard Cohen:

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