Hallelujah

If you haven't heard the song, Leonard Cohen's genius sung by some of the most wondrous singers in the world, I wanted to share the lyrics here along with a few links to utube so you can find KD Lange, Jeff Buckley and a few other notable singers sharing their personal version. I am curious as to why each singer changes or removes some of the lyrics as the lyrics are quite profound. When I read the lyrics, I was done. Hallelujah is a profound prayer, a way of saying thanks, a way to exhale when I have endured something I wasn't really sure I was strong enough to endure. I was thinking the other day when I was waiting for something for a long time and it was finally there, close to me I could hear myself whisper Hallelujah. I've named the little gray cat Lujah because this past summer when I was just out of compassion for anything in the world there she was Baby1 (her former name) was a comforting addition to my heart. Watching Lujah and Dirty White Boy tumble through the house until they are full of exhaustion is such joy for me. Dirty has taken to sleeping in my sweater on my work table while I work. Having not felt well it's a welcome respite when I am feeling blue to have him close, both him and his tiny wide eyed sister.

I was singing the lyrics again and am touched by the idea that it's not always someone who has seen the light that needs to take a moment to thank the Lord. You don't have to know the intricate nature of god's heart to sing his song of thanks and praise and wonder. I know this for my own heart so I can assume it's that way for everyone. Just to say thanks, thanks thanks for what is mine and what I love. When I know Best Friend has arrived home in DC safely after working too long, after she's home safe, when the phone rings at 5, when I think of Richie's graduation closing in, when I have had a day that goes without a hitch, I am singing Hallelujah and now you can sing it with me.

"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


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2NEU6Xf7lM










http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8AWFf7EAc4