The following thread is from SONGFACTS website:
Arguably Buckley's most famous work, this was originally written and recorded by Leonard Cohen in 1984 on his album Various Positions. It was featured in several episodes of the Fox TV show The O.C. several years after Buckley drowned in the Mississippi river. (thanks, Andrew - Toronto, Canada)
The song is about love which has soured and gone stale. Cohen used a lot of religious imagery, including references to some of the more notorious women in the bible. Here's some lyrical analysis:
"You saw her bathing on the roof, her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you." - Bathsheba, who tempted the king to kill her husband so he could have her.
"She tied you to her kitchen chair, she broke your throne and she cut your hair" - Delilah, who cut off Sampson's locks that held his superhuman strength.
"But remember when I moved in you and the holy dove was moving too" - This could be a reference to the divine conception and Mary.
The lines referring to the immaculate conception can also be interpreted as having a sexual connotation: "And every breath we drew was hallelujah."
Cohen: "Hallelujah is a Hebrew word which means 'Glory to the Lord.' The song explains that many kinds of Hallelujahs do exist . I say: All the perfect and broken Hallelujahs have an equal value. It's a desire to affirm my faith in life, not in some formal religious way but with enthusiasm, with emotion. (thanks, Roderick - Qingdao, China)
Regarding the line, "The fourth, the fifth, the minor fall and the major lift," to which the chords played are: F - G - Am - F:
It is clever the way that not only the chords line up in the lyrics and in the music, but also because the connotations themselves of "major" and "minor" add to the meaning of the song. The "fourth" is a major chord based on the fourth of the key Buckley is playing in. Likewise the fifth is the major chord based on the fifth tone of the key. The "Minor Fall" corresponds to Buckley playing a minor chord based on the sixth of the key. "Major Lift" corresponds to playing the major chord on the fourth again. (thanks, Gol - Gainesville, FL)
The Bible makes reference to King David communing with the Lord and learning that certain types of music were more pleasing. The chords mentioned in the lyrics (that "David played and it pleased the lord) are often used in hymns. (thanks, Mike - Perth, Australia)
Leonard Cohen sang this to Bob Dylan after his last concert in Paris. The morning after, they sat down at a cafe and traded lyrics. Bob especially liked the last verse. (thanks, Daniel - Nova Scotia,Canada)
Buckley started covering this after he became inspired by John Cale's version off his 1992 album Fragments Of A Rainy Season.
Buckley always closed his live shows with this song. Remarkably, his revved-up crowds to become extremely silent. (thanks, Kristy - La Porte City, IA, for above 2)
Rufus Wainwright recorded this for the 2001 movie Shrek. Wainwright did not sing on the version used in the film (John Cale did), but his version is on the soundtrack. Wainwright records for Dreamworks, who also distributed the movie. Wainwright had an album coming out a few weeks after Shrek was released, so this was good promotion for it. (thanks, Andy - Indiana, PA)
This was used on the TV show Without A Trace on the first season finale episode. (thanks, Brittany - Eugene, OR)
This plays at the end of the movie The Edukators (Die fetten jahre sind vorbei), which got the Award Of The Public in Cannes, 2004. The main characters by then lost some faith in humanity, start an open relationship and continue to fulfill their revolutionary dreams. (thanks, Chris - Wageningen, Netherlands)
This appears in the final minutes of the 2005 Nicolas Cage movie Lord Of War. (thanks, Sandy Currin - lillington, NC)
This site is soo cool! Hallelujah actually means praise to Jehovah. Hallel in Hebrew means praise, and the remaining part, Jah, refers to Gods name YHWH in Hebrew which is Jehovah.
- June, Cityham, United States
Leonard Cohen's version is not as good as Jeff Buckley's cover, but him having written it, I'd still credit him at least as much as Buckley... Rufus Wainwright's' ok, but far too stale and chained to reach the level of Buckley's version which is free'er and more alive... In that case Gavin De Graw's live version is, though Gavin perhaps exaggerating his voice a little, just the "wee bit" better than Rufus'... But Buckley's after all, definitely the best... Al, Georgetown, Canada... I would say that Rufus' simplicity makes his version, though it's pretty good, by far less spiritual than Jeff Buckley's Matthew, Roanoke... learned it on the guitar myself too... thought i'd just mention it : )
- Markus, Stockholm, Sweden
Jeff Buckley said himself he puts a lot of emphasis on the voice in the song... in his oppinion, the voice was what carried the feeling (the way I understood it at least)... I think he shows a lot of that in this cover
- Markus, Stockholm, Sweden
"...puts a lot of emphasis in singing on the voice" that is
- Markus, Stockholm, Sweden
i mean: "gives a lot of emphasis to singing in songs" (my god I'm tired)
- Markus, Stockholm, Sweden
I must agree that, while every version of this beloved song is as touching and emotional as it is, my favorite version would be the John Cale version. Now I don't really consider myself an emotional guy, but this song continues to bring me to tears, hallelujah.
- Derek, Hilo, HI
I must agree that, while every version of this beloved song is as touching and emotional as it is, my favorite version would be the John Cale version. Now I don't really consider myself an emotional guy, but this song continues to bring me to tears, hallelujah.
- Derek, Hilo, HI
Ummm...Jeff Buckley is God...and uh....this song is too? Really when a song is covered this many times you know someones touched on something great...Maybe God blessed it? Lol. All i know is...wainwrights version is great because the song is great, Jeff Buckley's version is great because...Jeff Buckley is playing it? The song is magic. Plain and simple. Im learning to play it on guitar now, Buckley's way.
- Matthew, Roanoke, VA
what can i say, jeff's version is inspiring. It sends chills down my spine each and everytime, wainwright's cover is a world behind jeff's to be honest! haven't heard the original before, as long as i have jeff buckleys cover, i dont care. -dean
- dean, new york, NY
one of the greatest cover by buckley, and one of the worst by wainwright! -al
- dean, new york, NY
This song also appears in the last few minutes of Nic Cage's "Lord of War". Hauntingly brilliant. Every person was quiet to hear the angel sing......
- Sandy Currin, lillington, NC
This song also appears in the last few minutes of Nic Cage's "Lord of War". Hauntingly brilliant. Every person was quiet to hear the angel sing......
- Sandy Currin, lillington, NC
Rufus nailed it. Musically and metaphorically this is a hymn, best played in a simple arrangement on piano or organ. Spirituality guides this piece. I'm not a religious man, but hearing this gives me pause. If I walked into a large cavenous church and heard Rufus moaning the refrain, you could label me "Born Again".
- Al, Georgetown, Canada
While flipping through stations last night, I was stopped cold and amazed to hear Jeff Buckley's voice soaring out of the tv! They featured 'Hallelujah' on the show HOUSE. It was appropriately used but having never watched the O.C. this was my first experience with a prime time show using his music! I hope that people ignorant to his musical genius will be moved by his voice and maybe fall in love the way we all have.
- Jesse, Pittsburgh, PA
I absolutely adore Jeff Buckley's version. It's spiritual, it's sexual. It's powerful. Can anyone point me to an mp3 of John Cale's version? Haven't heard that one yet and I understand Jeff was inspired to do it after hearing Cale's. Ellen-Tybee Island
- Ellen, Tybee Island, GA
i love this song. it was played at my two uncle's funeral. every time i hear it i always think about thim and how much i miss them. i went out and bought the cd after the cerimonies and every morning i play this song and know that they are always there for me.
- justy, mesa, DC
"It goes like this: the fourth, the fifth, the minor FALL, the major LIFT." The songfact above about the minor fourth and the major fifth isn't true. The lyrics spell out what the song is doing harmonically; that is, 1, 4, 5, 6, 4, 5, 3, 6 in C major (or, if you like, CM, FM, GM, Am, FM, GM, Em, Am). Most minor songs do not end in a minor fourth, and most major songs do not end in a major fifth. In fact, you'd be hard-pressed to find such songs. And as for minor fourths and major fifths being used in hymns, MOST CHORDS are used in hymns. Way to go, Mike from Perth, Australia.
- Jack, Jefferson, PA
Um...sorry for being such a dramatic person..but I just ended a relationship that meant a lot. Even though I didn't want to, but I had to. Meh, anyway, the point of this is this song is Unexplainable. It really does cuts to the heart. I think I'm going to sit here and listen to it for the rest of tonight in the hope it helps me get up and over to the next obstacle in life.....Thank you for this song Jeff.....
- Sam, Auckland, New Zealand
for the most part . . . i'm pretty much a hard - ass engineer when it comes down to it . . . . but when i heard this - i had to hop in my canoe and head out to an island with my guitar for two days - just little me - ALONE ! ! ! -just to let the thing become a part of me --> emancipating - challenging-to-the-extreme - celibration and resolve that for now, i am in the carnal college - like it or not
- dan, bailieboro, Canada
This is one of my all-time favorite songs. I get chills every time I hear it. I'm also a huge 'West Wing' fan, and having this song play over the montage at the end of 'Posse Comitatus', as Simon dies and CJ cries...it makes me cry, too, every time. I think it's interesting that there are different sets of lyrics, as well. For instance, in the cover by Arooj Aftab (and I agree with Chris, btw, that she is incredible), the last two verses differ from the ones Jeff Buckley sang. All beautiful words. And Jeff's performance of this song was perfection.
- Bria, Moultrie, GA
This is one of my all-time favorite songs. I get chills every time I hear it. I'm also a huge 'West Wing' fan, and having this song play over the montage at the end of 'Posse Comitatus', as Simon dies and CJ cries...it makes me cry, too, every time. I think it's interesting that there are different sets of lyrics, as well. For instance, in the cover by Arooj Aftab (and I agree with Chris, btw, that she is incredible), the last two verses differ from the ones Jeff Buckley sang. All beautiful words. And Jeff's performance of this song was perfection.
- Bria, Moultrie, GA
I am one hundred percent obsessed with this song. I dont even know what it is but it just completely penetrates your soul. i have to say that i dont think kd does it justice but to each his own. a little bible reference correction, bathshebah did not trick david into getting her husband killed but rather david had him put on the front lines of a battle.
- darlene, dallas, TX
Hallelujah may in fact contain these specific Biblical references. However the Immaculate Conception is one of Mary, herself. The allusion in question may actually concern the Christ Incarnate.
- Brian, Meriden, CT
Amazing, pure and simple. It doesn't really matter which version you hear because they are all fab! One of the songs that, no matter how many times I hear it, breaks my heart. Everytime.
- Jemma, Camborne, England
I just heard Allison Crowe's version and this was also the first time I'd ever heard the song. Don't know why but I played it over and over and cried and cried. For me it said that even cold and broken Hallelujah's are still Hallelujah's. It is a song about real life. Simply wonderful!
- Sulimah, Montreal, Canada
Many of you probably know that Leonard Cohen added lyrics when he felt like it to this song. In fact, Lincoln Brewster out of Nashville has just gotten permission from Cohen to offer new lyrics again. These lyrics offer hope and are also from the Bible.. P.S. The Marble Arch is a reference to a place in London...
- Kate, Southern Cal, CA
"I've seen your flag on the marble arch But love is not a victory march" - perhaps refering to Rahab marking her house with the scarlet flag (she helped the isrealite spies escape and she was promised that her family would be spared) when Joshua was marching around Jericho to destroy the city
- Kelly, manchester, NJ
Another excellent cover is done by a fellow named Ari Hest, its a really great version.
- Nick, San Francisco, CA
this song is inspirational... the lyrics are pieced together with beautiful guitar. This song has real meaning.
- Katie, Ballarat, Australia
This song plays during the credits of Basquiat.
- Allison, Saint Louis, MO
Mel. N said that this was used in "The West Wing" and I can remember that moment so well. The song was just perfect to play for that moment. It's almsot like time stopped as the scenes went from people stepping over Simon's dead body to Josh getting the phone call about Simon to CJ walking the streets of NY and finally sitting down to cry.
- Michele, Lewisburg, WV
It was also used in the season three finale of The West Wing, when Secret Service Agent Donovan played by Mark Harmon was shot down in a most callous manner (assisting a civillian in a store robbery).
- Mel N, Sydney, Australia
Guys, You have to hear Arooj Aftab's version of this song. Arooj is a 19 year old girl from Pakistan who taught herself the guitar (instead of becoming an accoutant, as her parents expected) and recently won a Berklee online scholarship. I stumbled on a web site that has her version on it -
http://www.thesahilzone.com/arooj_aftab ... elujah.mp3 - and just had to share it.
- Chris, Astoria, NY
I love this song, it's really good, and it's good in Shrek, The OC and it's such a lovely song
- emily, melbourne, Australia
Have you guys seen Jeff Buckley 'Live in Chicago' on DVD or video? He sings Hallelujah at the end and kind of ruins it in my opinion. I was gutted cos I love the song to death but when I heard him sing it there ...i don't know. I can't watch it past the first verse.
- Sarah, Auckland, New Zealand
I have several versions of this song-- by Wainwright, Buckley, and Cohen's original...but in my opinion, none of these can compare with John Cale's version, which no one seems to be familiar with. It is...utterly breathtaking. His voice just makes your heart break. Nevertheless- Rufus Wainwright is straight up brilliant in all he does. I'm not a huge Jeff Buckley fan, which I guess is blasphemous...of the four versions of this song I've heard, I think his is my least favorite. (I still love it, though.)Leonard Cohen is a freakin' legend-- 'Various Positions' is a gorgeous album, and his original version of this song has a certain triumphant quality to it that none of the others, even Cale, seem to have captured.
- Nicole, Santa Ana, CA
Wow, that is one of the best songs ever! And come one guys, Rufus isn't that bad...
- Cass, North Bay, Canada
an amazing song i love all the versions! anyone here from dublin know the band on grafton street called the publick health service they do an amzaing verison of this song..watching the guy perform it is really powerful. also lover, you should have come over is another great song by jeff buckley, if you havent already - listen to it!
- katie, dublin, Ireland
the most moving sounds i've heard in all my 19 yrs.
- mammothdave, london, England
this song is amazing! its perfect for whatever mood your in. Jeff Buckley does an amazing job, he makes the song sound so peaceful.
- Dani, Winnipeg, Canada
Dieu a créé la beauté que l'ange l'a chantée. God created the beauty and the angel sang it.
- fioge, longueuil, Canada
I find it surprising that every single person here rates Jeff Buckley's version ahead of the Leonard Cohen original. Sure, it's absolutely brilliant but I think the Leonard Cohen version is even better. Bob Dylan's live version ain't bad either and if you haven't heard it I suggest you try to get a copy of it.
- Badge, Dublin, Ireland
ihave spent the last month and a half learning to play Buckley's version of 'Hallelujah' on the guitar. i simply don't have the heart to play it live because i know i couldn't remotely do it justice. i never thought i'd be able to pin down my favourite song ever, but this is easily it.
- Nana Gottfried, London, England
i thought perhaps that perfection was a myth.after hearing hallelujah by jeff buckley i reckon that if it does exist, this is the only kind of perfection I have ever known.
- ethel, Dublin, Ireland
I have always loved this song, although it's so sad. Five days ago, I was on my way to my husband's cremation when this song came on the radio. It was a gift from my husband, and a moment in time that I will always treasure.
- Sallie, Las Vegas, NV
This was recently covered on k.d. Lang's latest, Hymns of the 49th Parallel. It's truly beautiful and a must listen.
- Alicia, Astoria, NY
I heard "Grace" for the first time and "Hallelujah" arrived... What a chock!! I have only heard this wonderful version. Jeff died so young...
- duff, Paris'suburb, France
Absolutely, the best cover version of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah is from Jeff Buckley. However, Buckley's tone lacks of thanksgiving and joy with more sadness and melancholy, while you will get the absence during enjoying Cohen's original voice. This eternal song was covered by lots of singers with 44 versions. The outstanding ones included the tribute from Bob Dylan(sung live "Hallelujah" during his 1988' Paris tour), John Cale(in his 1992 album Fragments of a Rainy Season),K.D.lang(in her 2004 album Hymns Of The 49th Parallel),Jeff Buckely(in his 1994 album Grace),Rufus Wainwright(in Shrek OST),Bono(in a tribute album Tower of Songs), Damien Rice(sung live in Netherlands in 2003) and Kathryn Williams(in her 2004 ablum Relations).
- Roderick, Qingdao, China
i just heard the original by leonard cohrn. it sounds like freakin' Reggae! maybe i just got a remix???
- Joe, Southampton, England
Incredibly beautiful! Have been listening to it whole evening and can't stop. Great loss....Carmen Diaz
- carmen, Rotterdam, Netherlands
The Buckley version ( I'm almost sure) was used on the West Wing when CJ's secret service guy - with whon whe is falling in love- is killed by an armed robber in a bodega.
- Patricia, East Tennessee
when i heard jeff buckley's version of this modern day classic i felt haunted yet loved. his voice is so unique and beautiful it really touched something inside me and everytime i hear it an overwhelming feeling of sadness falls upon me. it is the only song ever to make me cry and not one other person living or dead can do to hallejah what this amazing ledgend in his own right did to it
- anne, dublin, Ireland
It was also used in an episode of "The L Word". Hsve only heard Buckley's version, but think it is AMAZING!
- Win, London, England
C'mon guys, stop being such elitists - Cohen deserves serious respect for having the brilliance to conjure this amazing song, Buckley (who, if alive, might have been the next Dylan) deserves insane praise for arguably the best version of any song ever, and Wainwright should get massive acclaim for quite simply being one the greatest living musicians. We're allowed to like more than one thing
.
- Matt, Conway, AR
This song has been used in an episode of Crossing Jordan. The one with a guy claiming to be Saint Francis
- James, Mississauga, Canada
My friend Rachel sent me this song the other day and I have been playing it non-stop. It is so beautiful and haunting! It makes me cry almost everytime I listen to it. What a beautiful voice Jeff has, such a sad loss...
What a tragic loss of true talent...Jeff's voice was so haunting and beautiful...I stumbled into "Grace" years back in a small record store...i fell in love immediately. So sad.
- Julie, Marquette, MI
WOW, what an awesome song, he has the voice of an angel
- julia, london, England
This song appeared in season finale of the west wing (season two or three i think).
- Mel N, Sydney, Australia
this is one of the most beautiful songs ever written and Jeff Buckleys version is by far the best.
- tim, Auckland, New Zealand
Jeff Buckley beats anyone hands down, by the way his anniversary was only couple of weeks ago Jeff was the most talented man of his time in the ninetees im surprised all of his better songs arent on here Put in Lover, Should have come over, Grace, Last Goodbye Dream Brother
- Daniel, Perth, Australia
Jeff buckley's version was definately the best and most well sung, and he is famous for it...this was used in the Season Finale of Season 1 of the OC, when everyone parted ways as Ariel pointed out
- Hadis, Woodbridge, Canada
jeff buckley is rolling around in his grave, even though he did not actually write the song. his version was by far the best. jeff buckley is a brilliant musician. and nobody likes rufus wainwright...
- kevin, kettering , OH
i noticed that wherever i hear this song on tv or in movies, there always seems to be a parting of ways
- Ariel, Woodbridge, CT
The song was also used in the "Without A Trace" show in the Season 1 Finale episode.
- Brittany, Eugene, OR
Let's just say after having been awed for years by Jeff Buckley's version, when I heard the Shrek version, it was like wiping with sand paper after years of using satin.
- ash, Charleston, WV
i have to agree, jeff buckly all the way
- Sam, Brisbane, Australia
the jeff buckley version of this song is the most beautiful composition i have ever heard. it's also used in an episode of "the O.C."
- annabelle, atlanta, GA
i think the jeff buckley version is much better.
- jon, wilton, CT
This song was reintroduced to the public by an earlier version Jeff Buckley recorded in 1994. Jeff's version was used in a VH-1 commercial when 9/11 occured.
. This song has so many potential applications 
Good on you, Leonard. You knew 
.