Hallelujah
Jenkins Katherine Lyrics


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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
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

Baby I have 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

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

Overall Meaning

Jenkins Katherine's "Hallelujah" is one of the most beloved and widely covered songs of all time. The lyrics express the pain and joy of love and loss, and the powerful emotion that these experiences can evoke. The song begins with a reference to David playing a secret chord that pleased the Lord, but the focus quickly shifts to the struggles and heartache of the singer's own life.


The third verse speaks to the singer's sense of betrayal and disappointment in someone they care about deeply. They long to feel the same connection they once had, but that person has become distant and unavailable. Despite this, the singer can still feel the presence of something sacred in their lives, something that makes them want to give thanks and praise.


Overall, "Hallelujah" is a song that speaks to the complex emotions and experiences of human life. It is a reminder that love can be both beautiful and painful, and that even in our darkest moments, there is always a flicker of hope and redemption.


Line by Line Meaning

Now I've heard there was a secret chord
Although there isn't a secret chord, there's a certain melody that only exists in our imaginations, and it's been passed down through the ages.


That David played, and it pleased the Lord
David, the famous king of Israel, played this imaginary melody, which was pleasing to the Lord.


But you don't really care for music, do you?
You, the listener, may not be interested in music or this imaginary melody at all.


It goes like this
Here comes the imaginary melody that we've been talking about.


The fourth, the fifth
This imaginary melody has a specific sequence of musical notes that includes the fourth and fifth notes.


The minor fall, the major lift
In this sequence, there are also two specific types of sounds: a minor fall and major lift.


The baffled king composing Hallelujah
When David played this imaginary melody, he did so in a way that created a sense of confusion and wonder, possibly inspiring him to compose a hymn of praise to God, known as Hallelujah.


Hallelujah
Praise God.


Your faith was strong but you needed proof
Although you had faith, you still needed tangible proof to believe in something.


You saw her bathing on the roof
You have been sexually attracted to someone you know, and have possibly committed voyeurism.


Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
This person's attractiveness and the moonlight created an emotional response within you that felt overwhelming and larger than you.


She tied you
This person has a hold on you.


To a kitchen chair
You feel vulnerable and trapped by this person's hold on you.


She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
This person undermined your position of power and control and maybe even humiliated you.


And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
This person elicited a response from you, possibly even causing you to express praise to God despite the situation.


Baby I have been here before
I have gone through difficult situations like this before.


I know this room, I've walked this floor
I've been in similar emotional states before and am familiar with the feeling.


I used to live alone before I knew you
Before this person came into my life, I was independent and self-sufficient.


I've seen your flag on the marble arch
I know you, your beliefs and motivations are very visible.


Love is not a victory march
Love isn't always triumphant, and often times, it can be exhausting and turbulent.


It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Even though love can be difficult, we still praise God and remain grateful through it all.


There was a time you let me know
You used to be more open and honest with me.


What's really going on below
You used to share what was truly happening within you.


But now you never show it to me, do you?
Now, you don't reveal your feelings as much and instead keep them hidden.


And remember when I moved in you
I affected you deeply when I entered your life.


The holy dove was moving too
This caused a spiritual awakening within you.


And every breath we drew was Hallelujah
Together, we experienced deep gratitude and praise for life itself.


You say I took the name in vain
You accuse me of using God's name casually or without proper respect.


I don't even know the name
Even though you accuse me, I'm not even sure what God's name actually is.


But if I did, well really, what's it to you?
Even if I was guilty of using God's name improperly, it's not something that should concern you unless you have some sort of personal stake in the matter.


There's a blaze of light
A sense of enlightenment or clarity.


In every word
Meaningful words can inspire this sense of enlightenment.


It doesn't matter which you heard
All meaningful words can have this effect, regardless of their source.


The holy or the broken Hallelujah
Even though things may be difficult or not as expected, we still find the light in every situation and praise God through it all.


I did my best, it wasn't much
I tried my best, but it may not have been enough.


I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch
I was lost and looking for answers or comfort, and tried to find it in physical ways.


I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you
I've been honest with you and didn't have any agenda to trick or manipulate you.


And even though it all went wrong
Even though things didn't go as planned, and there may have been failures or struggles.


I'll stand before the Lord of Song
I'll face judgement and accountability for everything I've done in front of a higher power.


With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah
Despite any shortcomings or failures, the only thing left for me to express is praise to God.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Leonard Cohen

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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