Hallelujah
On the Rocks Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

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, she cut your hair
and from your lips she drew the hallelujah.

Hallelujah, hallelujah,
hallelujah, hallelujah

Now maybe I've been here before
I've seen this room, I walked this floor.
I used to live alone before I knew you.

I saw 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 real and going on below,
but now you never show it to me, do you?

I remember when I moved in you,
the holy dark was moving too
and every breath we drew was hallelujah.

Hallelujah, hallelujah,
hallelujah, hallelujah

Now 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 it's a broken hallelujah.

Hallelujah, hallelujah,
hallelujah, hallelujah





Hallelujah, hallelujah,
hallelujah, hallelujah

Overall Meaning

The song "Hallelujah" by On the Rocks is a beautiful ballad that explores various complex themes. The opening lines of the song refer to a secret chord that David played, which pleased the Lord. This chord represents a pivotal moment in religious history and is a metaphorical representation of finding something that brings immense pleasure and fulfillment in life.


The next set of lyrics talk about a baffled king who composed a hallelujah. The song's lyrics suggest that even powerful and influential individuals can become vulnerable to the depths of emotion and feeling. The lyrics then move on to discuss the singer's relationship with a lover who overthrew him. The associated pain is evident, and the singer attempts to reconcile these feelings.


The song's themes continue to evolve, highlighting the cold and broken elements of love, with an introspective examination of the singer's life before love and after. The song ends with the contemplation of a God above, with the realization that everything learned from love relates to conflict and competing with others. Overall, "Hallelujah" by On the Rocks is a moving song that portrays the complexities of human emotion and relationships.


Line by Line Meaning

I've heard there was a secret chord
I have heard that there was a special and hidden melody


that David played and it pleased the Lord,
that a person named David played and God enjoyed it


but you don't really care for music, do you?
However, you are not truly interested in listening to music, are you?


It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth
The notes are structured in a pattern consisting of the fourth and fifth notes


the minor fall, the major lift.
The notes then shift through both minor and major transitions


The baffled king composing hallelujah.
This boggles the mind of the king, as he creates a song of praise


Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
Praise is given repeatedly


Your faith was strong but you needed proof.
You possessed powerful belief but required evidence to support it.


You saw her bathing on the roof,
You caught a glimpse of her as she was bathing outside


her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you.
Her lovely appearance, combined with the moon's light, completely captivated you.


She tied you to a kitchen chair.
She bound you to a chair in the kitchen


She broke your throne, she cut your hair
She destroyed your power, by breaking your throne and cutting your hair


and from your lips she drew the hallelujah.
As a result, she inspired you to utter a hymn of praise.


Now maybe I've been here before
Perhaps I have already encountered a similar situation


I've seen this room, I walked this floor.
I recognize this space, I have moved through this place.


I used to live alone before I knew you.
Previously, I resided by myself until the moment when I became acquainted with you.


I saw your flag on the marble arch
I witnessed your standard on top of the grand monument


love is not a victory march.
These romantic feelings cannot be won like a grand military campaign.


It's a cold and it's a broken hallelujah.
Instead, it is an emotional and imperfect act of praise.


There was a time you let me know
There was an occasion on which you confided in me


what's real and going on below,
Cluing me in on genuine feelings lying underneath the exterior facade


but now you never show it to me, do you?
However, you now conceal these true emotions and do not expose them to me anymore, do you?


I remember when I moved in you,
I recall how I became involved with you


the holy dark was moving too
That movement wasn't just physical but also had deep spiritual connotations connected to it


and every breath we drew was hallelujah.
With each inhalation, we felt grateful for this connection we shared.


Now maybe there's a God above
Perhaps a divine being exists beyond us


and all I ever learned from love
In the end, all the understanding love has provided me with


was how to shoot at someone who outdrew you.
consisted of learning how to take retaliatory action against someone who has hurt you.


It's not a cry you can hear at night.
It is not audible when you let out such emotional distress in the depths of the night


It's not somebody who's seen the light.
It is not an individual who has already attained knowledge or enlightenment.


It's a cold and it's a broken hallelujah.
Instead, it is a sorrowful and deficient expression of prayer and thanksgiving.


Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
Veiled in emotions both divine and profane, but still offering praise to a higher power over and over again.




Contributed by Scarlett L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

No Resolve

Thank you for watching! We're honored to bring you our version of Hallelujah which pays homage to the great renditions that came before us. Thank you to my friends Jeff Gutt and Gary Pittel for the inspiration along with the great Pentatonix and Jeff Buckley! 🤘

🌟You can STREAM & DOWNLOAD our version HERE: http://lnk.to/HallelujahNoResolve

- Oscar

Joshua Hiatt

I CANNOT WAIT TO GET THIS TOMORROW ON ITUNES!!!!!!

Mariana Rodrigues

Amazing!!

Don Jean

It’s alright. I mean… I’ve heard worse. Okay so I’ve only heard worse, meaning this is the best damn version ever. Cheers and beers to you guys!

Suzanne Walton

Bow on down to you guys.....Amen

samuelsmum100

Love it 😍

35 More Replies...

Karen Merriam

My son passed away unexpectedly at the age of 30 almost 2 years ago. 3 weeks ago my husband was violently murdered in my front yard, attacked from behind so he never saw it or had a chance to defend himself. I just found your music today, somehow the sound of your voice has been the only thing that has touched my soul and brought music back into my life. Thank you for your beautiful sound and the gift you just gave me. ❤️

Ronnie Sanders

I am so very sorry for your loss.

Yvonne Van zyl

This is so very sad

Karen Merriam

@Ronnie Sanders ... thank you for your kind words

More Comments

More Versions