Hallelujah
Lucky Jim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That David played and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
Well it goes like this:
The fourth, the fifth, the minor fall and the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Well 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 her kitchen chair
And she broke your throne and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
But baby I've been here before
I've seen this room and I've walked this floor
You know, I used to live alone before I knew ya
And I've seen your flag on the marble arch
And love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Well there was a time when you let me know
What's really going on below
But now you never show that to me do ya
But remember when I moved in you
And 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've ever learned from love
Was how to shoot somebody 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
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
The song "Hallelujah" by Lucky Jim is a poignant and deep exploration of love, faith and its fleeting nature. The first verse referencing King David, a figure from Jewish/Christian scripture who was famed for his worshipful music, suggests that the pleasure of music creation has always held a sacrosanct place in the world of songwriting. The next verse alludes to the famous Bathsheba incident, where King David saw Bathsheba bathing on the roof and subsequently committed adultery with her. The songwriter then states that he too has experienced the situation before; he has seen the beauty of love before, but the fleetingness of it is highlighted when they mention that 'love is not a victory march it's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah'.
The final verse mentions God, and the songwriter reflects on the lessons that he has learned about love from his life experiences. He states that love has only taught him to act defensively to protect himself from the pain of heartbreak. The final line of the song is a final declaration that life is full of broken Hallelujah's, suggesting that the word of praise is not a happy ending, but instead, the result of many forms of life's sadness.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I've heard there was a secret chord
I've learned of a chord that only certain people know about
That David played and it pleased the Lord
David played the chord and it pleased God
But you don't really care for music, do you?
But you don't seem to be interested in music
Well it goes like this:
The chord progression goes like this:
The fourth, the fifth, the minor fall and the major lift
It's a chord progression starting with the fourth and fifth notes, then a minor key change, and then back to major
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
King David was puzzled, but still composed a song of praise called Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord
Well your faith was strong but you needed proof
Your belief was strong but you required evidence
You saw her bathing on the roof
You saw her taking a bath on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew ya
Her beauty combined with the moonlight caused you to become infatuated
She tied you to her kitchen chair
She trapped you in a chair in her kitchen
And she broke your throne and she cut your hair
She destroyed your pride and changed your appearance
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
And she made you sing praises to the Lord
But baby I've been here before
But I've been in this situation already
I've seen this room and I've walked this floor
I'm familiar with the surroundings
You know, I used to live alone before I knew ya
I used to live by myself before I met you
And I've seen your flag on the marble arch
I've seen your symbol of victory on the arch made of stone
And love is not a victory march
Love isn't a guaranteed win
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Love is hard and imperfect
Well there was a time when you let me know
There was a time when you confided in me
What's really going on below
What was happening beneath the surface
But now you never show that to me do ya
But now you never let me in, do you?
But remember when I moved in you
But remember when I entered your life
And the holy dove was moving too
And it felt like a spiritual experience
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah
And every moment felt like a blessing
Maybe there's a God above
Perhaps there is a divine being
But all I've ever learned from love
But all I know about love
Was how to shoot somebody who outdrew ya
Is that it can be a competition or battle
And it's not a cry that you hear at night
And it's not a cry that someone hears at night
It's not somebody who's seen the light
It's not someone who's had an epiphany
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
It's a hard and imperfect praise to the Lord
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord
Writer(s): LEONARD COHEN
Contributed by Julian Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
dean stewart
One of the best versions I have ever heard, Lucky Jim has made a beautiful piece of music more beautiful, He did an incredible job!
affenonkel
This is my favourite version of the song too. Just 'cause he sings it with energy and emphasis unlike everyone else who covered it doesn't mean it sucks. So yeah...say what you want, this is great.
eiweiss100
Love this version. his voice is absolutely great! well done.
Pascal von der Weiden
Die Version, die mich am meisten berührt.Wundervoll!👍🏽
Le Meyr
for me this is the very best version of this beautiful song. every time i hear it i cry...
pooface pinder
I love buckley's version, it's got the passion that leonard's lyrics deserve, such a beautiful song. I found something terrifingly comforting about the way it made me feel like hanging myself on a rope made of tears. lol I am so jolly...
FRANK BLUEKA
Great version!!! Halleluja
DonnieDio
Jeff Buckley's version will always be the definitive version to me, even though it wasn't the original.
T BXTWO
This is very captivating. An exceptional version sung in the poetic style of the author Leonard Cohen who came out of the beat era. But delivered with a more musical voice. Very good to listen again.
HJKHJHJHGLJK
jeff buckley is the supreme of this song...so much heart