Hallelujah
Kathryn Williams Lyrics

Well I've heard there was a secret chord
The singer begins by referencing a secret chord that David played, which was supposed to please the Lord.

That David played, and it pleased the Lord
The singer goes on to detail the secret chord David played that pleased the Lord, implying that it was a special and unique sequence of notes.

But you don't really care for music, do you?
The singer addresses the listener and asks if they truly appreciate music or not.

Well it goes like this
The singer begins to explain the chord sequence of David's song, emphasizing that it is a simple progression.

The fourth, the fifth
The singer specifies the first two notes of the chord progression.

The minor chord and the major lift.
The singer specifies the last two notes of the chord progression.

The baffled king composing Hallelujah.
The singer reflects on the puzzling nature of the song's composition and gives context to the 'Hallelujah' mentioned in the lyrics thus far.

Your faith was strong but you needed proof
The singer addresses the listener once again and describes their strong faith, but implies that they need tangible validation.

You saw her bathing on the roof
The singer begins to tell a story of a woman the listener saw bathing on a rooftop.

Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
The singer explains how the beauty of the woman and the setting of the scene had a powerful effect on the listener.

And she tied you
The story continues, revealing that the woman was able to capture and control the listener.

To her kitchen chair,
The woman restrained the listener to a chair in her kitchen.

Broke your throne, and cut your hair.
The woman seems to have exerted even greater power, shattering the listener's sense of control and diminishing their presence.

And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah .
The result was the same 'Hallelujah' referenced earlier, but this time with a darker tone, implying defeat or submission.

Baby, I've been here before
The tone of the song switches back to the singer's own voice, and they express familiarity with a situation.

I know this room and I've walked this floor
The singer clarifies that the 'room' referred to is a metaphor for personal experience, and they feel they know how this story will end.

You know, I used to live alone before I knew you
The singer reveals some backstory, and indicates that prior to knowing the person they are addressing, they were alone.

And I've seen your flag on the marble arch,
The singer references an emblem or symbol on a structure, which represents a metaphorical triumph of the person they are addressing.

Love's not some kind of victory march,
The singer challenges the idea that love is always a triumph, and implies that it can be more nuanced and difficult than that simplistic narrative.

It's a cold and a broken Hallelujah.
The final refrain of 'Hallelujah' finishes with an evocative description, seemingly representing a quiet recognition of personal defeat or disappointment.

There was a time when you let me know
The singer recalls a time when the person they are addressing let them into their inner life and allowed them to understand their emotions.

What's really going on below
The singer felt they had a clear understanding of what was happening in the person's psyche.

But now you never show it to me, do you?
However, the person is no longer as forthcoming with their emotions, and the singer questions whether they truly know the person anymore.

But I remember when I moved in you,
The singer reflects on a time when they had a deeper and more intimate connection with the person they are addressing.

Holy dove was moving too,
The singer utilizes religious imagery to convey a sense of peacefulness or sacredness.

And every breath we drew was Hallelujah.
The final refrain is repeated to emphasize the importance of the connection between the two people.