"Hallelujah," a ballad by Leonard Cohen, has been covered by the likes of Jeff Buckley, Bob Dylan, and Justin Timberlake. Its haunting melody and evocative lyrics have proven more timeless with each new interpretation.
The Refrain
The title and refrain, "Hallelujah," means "praise God," and is perhaps most closely associated with Christianity. In the song, it may be interpreted as either sincere or ironic based on the preceding verse.
Allusions
Most of the verses allude either vaguely or explicitly to the Bible. "David" in the first verse is King David, and the woman "bathing on the roof" in the second verse is Bathsheba, whose beauty caused David to fall into temptation. Verse two also mentions Delilah, who cuts off Samson's hair in the book of Judges, draining him of his strength. The taking of "the name in vain" in verse five alludes to the breaking of the third commandment.
Double Meanings
The first verse mentions "the fourth and fifth," which are musical intervals. It also mentions "the minor fall, the major lift," a double entendre. This phrase could refer either to musical intervals (descending and ascending) or to a literal "fall" and "lift." This is just one example of the lyrical ambiguity that makes "Hallelujah" so memorable.
Sensuality
Cohen was never shy about sensuality, and "Hallelujah" is no exception. The fourth verse ("Remember when I moved in you...") conveys sexual frustration.
Other Versions
When performing "Hallelujah," other artists sometimes omit verses or even add their own. Buckley's version substitutes Cohen's last two verses for a verse of his own.
