lyrics to the song hallelujah by leonard cohen

I think Dundada77 is close when they says it's about Sampson, but I think it more strongly speaks of David. I think this song is one that comes from a deep place in the artists' soul and has deep meaning both spiritually and personally. At times it can be a cold and broken hallelujah – but it’s still a hallelujah. Real love is painful, it’s not a cry in the night, nor is it all bright lights.

Love is not a victory march it’s filled with agony and heartbreak as well as magic and fulfillment. Wainwright is openly gay and perhaps he’s seen more than his share of heartache. In the third and fourth verse introspection seems to be in the forefront of the lyrics. Through the heartache of these tragedies we gain perspective on life. How all of us are tempted to break the “vows” of relationships. In My opinion this is a song about broken relationships and broken vows.

The idea of cutting hair is not so much linked to Sampson as it is a reference to a Nazarite (of which Sampson was one) who take a vow not to cut their hair. So in a sense this event did break the throne by breaking David. This action brought calamity upon the house of David. He sent for her, they slept together, she got pregnant and David secretly had her husband killed during a battle. Later in David's adult life, after he became King, he succumbed to temptation observing Bathsheba (The wife of Uriah, one of David's Generals)) bathing on the roof. Notice how the arpeggios mimic the soft plucking of harp strings. David played his harp and it was soothing to King Saul and pleased the Lord. In fact I think the Rufus is drawing a parallel between himself and King David of the Bible. Was how to shoot at someone who outdrew you Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew youĪnd from your lips she drew the Hallelujah Your faith was strong but you needed proof That David played, and it pleased the Lordīut you don't really care for music, do you?

Lyrics to the song hallelujah by leonard cohen