What is the meaning behind Leonard Cohen’s song Hallelujah?

What is the meaning behind Leonard Cohen’s song Hallelujah?

lang said in an interview shortly after Cohen's death that she considered the song to be about "the struggle between having human desire and searching for spiritual wisdom. It's being caught between those two places."

What Bible story is the song Hallelujah based on?

In Hallelujah, for example, Cohen refers to the biblical story of King David who, according to Talmudic legend, delights angels and sages when he privately plays his harp at night. He is tested by God when – on his roof – he sees Bathsheba bathing. After committing adultery with her, David has her husband killed.

What does the 4th the 5th mean in Hallelujah?

The numbers "the fourth, the fifth" in the opening lines of the song "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen refer to musical intervals. In music, an interval is the distance between two pitches.

Who wrote the original lyrics to Hallelujah?

Leonard CohenHallelujah / Lyricist

The song was written and composed by Canadian poet and singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen (1934-2016), who said in interviews that it took at least four years and two notebooks to write an unspecified number of completed verses.

What does she tied him to the kitchen chair mean?

Following the David and Bathsheba reference, the sexuality of the lyrics is drawn further forward and then reinforced in an image of torture and lust taken from the story of Samson and Delilah – “She tied you to a kitchen chair / she broke your throne, she cut your hair” – before resolving with a vision of sexual …

Did Leonard Cohen write Hallelujah as a religious song?

Hallelujah began its life with a religious slant, reflecting Cohen's Jewish heritage, with allusions to King David and Bathsheba (“The secret chord that David played”) as well as Samson and Delilah. Later versions were more spiritual, and sometimes sexual.

What does she tied you to a kitchen chair mean?

Following the David and Bathsheba reference, the sexuality of the lyrics is drawn further forward and then reinforced in an image of torture and lust taken from the story of Samson and Delilah – “She tied you to a kitchen chair / she broke your throne, she cut your hair” – before resolving with a vision of sexual …

What is the message of the song Hallelujah?

At its core, Hallelujah is a Hebrew word meaning “praise the Lord.” But Cohen, with his poetic brilliance, expanded its horizons beyond mere religious connotations. The song, in its entirety, is a mosaic of emotions, juxtaposing spiritual elation with earthly despair.

What is the secret chord David played for God?

A simple take on it would be that David played a secret chord that 'goes like this': IV – V – vi – IV. But of course, that isn't just one chord, it's a chord progression.

Who sang the best Hallelujah song?

In fact, as Light explains in “The Holy or the Broken,” “Hallelujah” largely owes its lasting popularity not to Cohen's original recording (which appeared on his commercially unsuccessful 1984 album “Various Positions”), but to Jeff Buckley's 1994 rendition, which was in turn based upon a version that John Cale had …

What does it mean when they cut your hair in Hallelujah?

The part about being tied to a chair and cutting your hair is a reference to Samson and Delilah (from the book of Judges). Samson was strong. He had special powers from God. He was able to fight and destroy the Philistines who were ruling over Israel at the time.

What does baffled king mean?

Cohen refers here to David playing the harp for King Saul, his predecessor on the Israeli throne, to soothe him of his troubled mind. “Baffled”, in this context, means “depressed”, or “melancholy”.

Is Hallelujah a good funeral song?

Hallelujah

It is a popular choice for funerals because of the poetic lyrics and soft melody. Many families choose to include with their funeral music as it fits with the atmosphere of a service and saying a goodbye to a loved one as they cross over into the afterlife.

Is the song Hallelujah about King David?

A Leonard Cohen classic is unpicked in this extract from The Song Remains the Same: 800 Years of Love Songs, Laments and Lullabies. Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah is a song about a powerful sexual obsession, ennobled by Old Testament references to King David and Bathsheba, and Samson and Delilah.

Who is the song Hallelujah written about?

Hallelujah began its life with a religious slant, reflecting Cohen's Jewish heritage, with allusions to King David and Bathsheba (“The secret chord that David played”) as well as Samson and Delilah. Later versions were more spiritual, and sometimes sexual.

What does David played a secret chord mean?

David's use of the term “secret chord” suggests that he understood music to be a powerful way to connect with God and express his desire for forgiveness. In modern times, many musicians have been inspired by this idea and incorporated it into their own music as a way to connect with audiences on a spiritual level.

Who is the song hallelujah written about?

Cohen references the stories of Samson and Delilah from the Book of Judges, singing, She cut your hair. He also talks about King David and Bathsheba: Now I heard there was a secret chord that David and it pleased the Lord and You saw her bathing on the roof, her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you.

What is known as the Devil’s chord?

In music a tritone consists of two notes that are three whole steps apart, such as “C” to “F#.” Not found in either the major or minor scales, and due to its discordant sound, it has been called “the Devil's Chord.”