Hallelujah Lyrics by Leonard Cohen | English Song – DJYoungster

Hallelujah Lyrics

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Hallelujah Lyrics

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Original Lyrics

[Verse 1]
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 ya?
It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing "Hallelujah"
[Chorus]
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
[Verse 2]
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 a kitchen chair
She broke your throne and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
[Chorus]
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
[Verse 3]
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 ya?
There's a blaze of light in every word
It doesn't matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah
[Chorus]
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
[Verse 4]
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 ya
And even though it all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of song
With nothing on my tongue but hallelujah
[Chorus]
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
[Outro]
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
[Additional Lyrics]
Baby, I've been here before
I know this room, I've walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew ya
And 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
[Additional Lyrics]
There was a time you let me know
What's really going on below
But now you never show it to me, do ya?
And remember when I moved in you
The holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah
[Additional Lyrics]
Maybe there's a God above
But all I've ever learned from love
Was how to shoot at someone 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

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Hallelujah Song Meaning

"Hallelujah" is a Hebrew word meaning "praise God." Cohen uses it as a kind of loaded vessel something that can hold joy, grief, defeat, and devotion all at once. The whole song is built around the tension between the sacred and the broken versions of that single word. The opening verse pulls from the story of King David the gifted musician who wrote Psalms, but also a deeply flawed man. Cohen references Bathsheba, the woman David saw bathing from his rooftop, leading to one of the Bible's most famous moral failures. Samson and Delilah sneak in through the cut hair image. These aren't random references. Cohen is saying that even the most spiritually gifted people have been destroyed by desire, doubt, and weakness and they still called out to God. The final verse is the emotional center of everything. The narrator isn't claiming victory or enlightenment. He's admitting failure he couldn't feel, he tried anyway, things went wrong but he still shows up. That's what Cohen is really after. The "broken Hallelujah" isn't a lesser version of praise. It might actually be the more honest one. Showing up to something love, God, life after it has already humbled you completely is its own kind of devotion.

Lyric Annotations

Now I've heard there was a secret chord

Leonard Cohen starts with this mysterious idea of a "secret chord." He's diving into the legend of King David, the ultimate musician in biblical times, like mentioning a rockstar that invented something magical. It's like saying there's some mystical tune that hits different, a chord that gets God's attention, and maybe even captures divine beauty. But with David's story, there's always that twist of humanity and imperfection, making this line drip with duality right from the start.

That David played and it pleased the Lord

Leonard Cohen is calling back to the biblical story of King David, the OG musician who played the harp so well it made God happy. It's like saying music has this divine power to connect with something bigger than us. But, Cohen's not just giving David a shoutout for his musical skills. David was also super flawed, a dude with serious weaknesses. So, when Cohen mentions David, it's a reminder of how humans are complex — capable of both divine music and serious mistakes.

But you don't really care for music, do ya?

Leonard Cohen's throwing shade here. "But you don't really care for music, do ya?" It's like he's calling someone out for pretending to be into something they don't actually get. This line makes you think about people who say they love music but don't let it hit them in the feels. Cohen's digging into how someone could miss the point of music's power, even when it's right there in front of them. It's not just for church or high society; music's got soul, and not everyone's invited to the party.

It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth

Leonard Cohen is dropping some musical knowledge with "the fourth, the fifth." He's talking about chord progressions and giving a little nod to music theory. It’s like a musical recipe: first, you hit the fourth chord in the scale, then the fifth. This isn't just nerdy musician stuff, though. It's a clever way of blending the sacred with the everyday, highlighting how songs and prayers share this universal language of structure and beauty.

The minor fall, the major lift

Cohen's talking about music theory here, kind of like a secret code for feelings. "The minor fall" and "the major lift" are both musical movements. A minor chord has a sad vibe, while a major one feels upbeat. It's like he's saying life's a mix of ups and downs just like music. The minor fall might feel like a setback, but the major lift gives that emotional boost. It’s a mix just like the word "Hallelujah" itself, capturing both the highs and lows.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Leonard Cohen isn't just tossing out "Hallelujah" for the sake of a catchy hook. He's layering it with all kinds of feels. Think about it: "hallelujah" is a big word, it's got church vibes, celebration, but also the messiness of life. It's like any moment can be holy or broken or both. Cohen's using it to show how life is this mix of praise and pain. It's not just a happy or sad thing—it's complicated, just like us.

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Note: Lyrics are provided for educational and personal use. Ownership belongs to the respective artists and labels.

"Hallelujah" is a popular song sung by Leonard Cohen, released in 2026. The lyrics are penned by Leonard Cohen and the music is composed by John Lissauer. The song is released under Columbia Records.

Contributors

SR

Lyrics Editor

Sunita Rao

Formatted & structured lyrics

Mar 26, 2026

KN

Published by

Karthik Nair

DJYoungster Editorial Team

Mar 26, 2026

SR

Fact Checked by

Sunita Rao

Verified against original audio

Mar 26, 2026

All lyrics are curated and maintained by the DJYoungster editorial team.

Frequently Asked Questions about Hallelujah

Leonard Cohen lends their voice to this track, dropping in 2026 via Columbia Records.
The words in "Hallelujah" were written by Leonard Cohen. Good lyrics make or break a song, and Leonard Cohen clearly knew what they were doing here.
The music for "Hallelujah" was composed by John Lissauer. A good composition is what gives a song its mood, and this one delivers.
"Hallelujah" was released as an independent single by Leonard Cohen, standing strong on its own without being tied to any film or album.
DJYoungster makes it easy to share "Hallelujah" lyrics on Instagram. Use "Create Story" to generate a gorgeous lyrics poster or "Create Reel" to create an animated 20-second video clip. Pick your favorite lines by Leonard Cohen, choose a style that fits the mood, and download instantly.
Stream "Hallelujah" on Spotify, Apple Music, JioSaavn, Gaana, or YouTube Music. The lyrics and translation are right here on DJYoungster.
There are 6 annotated sections in "Hallelujah" where specific lines get broken down in detail. Tap any highlighted part in the lyrics and you will see what that line actually means — the wordplay, the cultural reference, or the story behind what Leonard Cohen is saying. No guessing required.