A Little Leonard Cohen Love

Okay I'll confess. I love Leonard Cohen. I first heard him on CBC sometime in the '90s. I remember sitting in my car listening to find out who this amazing poet was. His voice is gravely and I know many don't like it. But the poetry. OMG, he could sing to me any time he likes. In fact, I came back from Argentina earlier than I could have just to go to his concert. Screamed myself hoarse and wound up so exhausted I almost fell asleep in the second half, but worth every minute.

Two people recently mentioned that they don't like his song "Hallelujah". Both people mention that the song only has one word repeated over and over again. That word being hallelujah.

Um, no. It is a song about David and Bathsheba and Samson and Delilah (thus the reference to hallelujah as we are talking love of biblical proportions). Both are love stories laced with obsession. David saw Bathsheba sunbathing (naked) on his neighbours roof. And decided he had to have her for himself. To obtain her, David sent Bathsheba's husband into battle where he died. Um, yeah.

Samson was so obsessed with Delilah that he allowed her to bind him and cut off all his hair. Doesn't sound so bad, except he lost all his superhuman strength when she did.

Yep, a song that only has one word in it. Here it is so you can read the other words it also includes:

"Hallelujah"

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 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, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

Baby I have been here before
I know this room, I've walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew you.
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

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

There was a time you let me know
What's really going on below
But now you never show it to me, do you?
And remember when I moved in you
The holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

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 you?
There's a blaze of light
In every word
It doesn't matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

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 you
And even though
It all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah

And yes, I know not everyone like Leonard Cohen. It is all a matter of personal taste (even if I tease you if you don't like him).