Is Hallelujah appropriate for a child to sing?

[gecheek]

My 8 year old daughter sings and wants to perform this song in Branson later this month and she wants to compete with it next winter. Reading the different interpretations of the lyrics I'm torn. Some aren't so bad and some verses I wouldn't dare let her sing for fear of the judges saying it's inappropriate and because I also believe they are. But the other lyrics don't seem too bad to me? I'm still torn and wondering what others think. Any opinions would be welcome! Thanks! Ginger

[brightnow]

My 8 year old daughter sings and wants to perform this song in Branson later this month and she wants to compete with it next winter. Reading the different interpretations of the lyrics I'm torn. Some aren't so bad and some verses I wouldn't dare let her sing for fear of the judges saying it's inappropriate and because I also believe they are. But the other lyrics don't seem too bad to me? I'm still torn and wondering what others think. Any opinions would be welcome! Thanks! Ginger

Hi Ginger, and welcome to the forum!
Leonard has several versions for the lyrics of Halleluja that he has performed and recorded on different occasions, some of these do contain sexual references that may be perceived as inappropriate for a child. But I think there is a very simple and practical solution that will allow your daughter, even at 8, to perform this beautiful song: let her sing the lyrics of the original 1984 album version from "Various Positions" (you can find this version at The Leonard Cohen Files, just click on the link at the top of the forum). In my opinion, the sexual references in the original album version are very mild and indirect. They are also very strongly tied to the biblical story of David and Bathsheba, and even the most extreme puritan might find it difficult to go up against the bible...
I hope this helps, would be curious to know your final decision.

Avi

[Stamatina]

let her sing the lyrics of the original 1984 album version from "Various Positions" (you can find this version at The Leonard Cohen Files, just click on the link at the top of the forum). In my opinion, the sexual references in the original album version are very mild and indirect.

I agree with that, but... even if the song is/were not inappropriate in this sense, I'm not sure it is fair or wise or appropriate to let a child sing a song like that, which she cannot understand...
But then again, if it's only for the singing and she wants to sing that song in particular, I suppose understanding what she sings is not that important.

Just out of curiosity, does she want to sing it Leonard's way or another version, for example Jeff Buckley's?