Hallelujah Was Once Considered Unworthy

When you can, I want you to see the extraordinary documentary, Hallelujah. Leonard Cohen: A Journey, A Song which is now in selected theatres in North America. Yes, see it in an actual theatre to fully appreciate the majesty and full-bodied sound of all the music.

For those unfamiliar, Leonard Cohen grew up in the Westmount section of Montreal within an Orthodox Jewish family. He was a folk icon of the 1960s – a failed poet, interesting visual artist, writer, composer but most of all, musician. His work was anything but orthodox. Questioning, and doubting himself and his worth, his poetic efforts transitioned to songwriting. Depressed, anxious, sardonic, and full of angst, Cohen was always working either on himself and/or his music—never completely finding answers in his Judaism, psychotherapy, or the Zen Buddhism he practiced for six years.

I am certain at one time or other, you have heard “Hallelujah.” It’s been covered by anyone with a decent voice and by Leonard Cohen with his gravely baritone.

Well, 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?

Well it goes like this

The fourth, the fifth, the minor fall and the major lift

The baffled king composing Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hallelujah

There may be as many as 150 lyrics that Cohen wrote in his struggle to find his secret, perfect chord that took seven years of sleepless effort. He and his friend, musician and producer John Lissauer put out the song which was recorded under contract with Columbia Records. Columbia did not know what to do with the album “Various Positions” in which “Hallelujah” was the lead tract, so it was deemed unworthy for release in the United States.

Imagine. “Hallelujah” unworthy for release.

The rejection was so profound that John Lissauer stopped producing music for years as did Cohen. Eventually, Lissauer was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for producing, arranging, and conducting the first original recording of “Hallelujah”.

After being buried in near obscurity, John Cale and Bob Dylan covered “Hallelujah” praising and admiring Cohen for such a hauntingly beautiful song.

Here are just some of the artists who have recorded “Hallelujah”: Brandi Carlile, Bono, Bon Jovi, K.D. Lang, Damien Rice & Glen Hasard, Judy Collins, Regina Spektor, Eric Church, Jeff Buckley, and many contestants on American Idol.

“Hallelujah” found a new generation in the movie Shrek in 2001 with the voice of Rufus Wainwright.

Yolanda Adams sang “Hallelujah” at the Lincoln Memorial with a plethora of candlelight at the Reflecting Pool to mourn the more than one million Americans who died from COVID-19.

Jayne and I saw the 75-year-old iteration of Leonard Cohen performing at Madison Square Garden in New York. He did a 3-hour set with intermission in his trademark fedora and suit. How lucky we were to go that night! We also knew that he would not be touring much longer. He died in 2016 at his California home.

“Hallelujah” is deeply personal to me. I can’t play it on the bass without tears, nor can I ever play it with the satisfying reverence it deserves. Perhaps, that’s the whole point. You can feel the humanity. You can feel Cohen’s anguish composing the song and with it the acceptance of the frailties of living.

And of course, “Hallelujah” is an anthem of finding one’s inherent worthiness.

I wrote Being Worthy in tribute to Amanda, the Worthy Warrior, who died by suicide in 2017 in her struggle for worthiness. “Hallelujah” could very much be about her as well.

In memory of Leonard Cohen and Amanda, I wrote these additional verses of “Hallelujah’ Make it 153.

And it goes like this….

I know your heart was very true

And you were worthy through and through

But you didn’t feel that much runnin’ through you

Still you were loved despite your pain

The moon and stars don’t seem the same,

The baffled people crying Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Well your rage was strong and you were fierce

At times your words my heart would pierce

But like a rose’s thorn the prick would fool ya’

You didn’t mean to hurt no one

You felt for others your soul undone

And from your life we drew the Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

All your love you meant to share

You didn’t care if it went nowhere

You gave it all ‘til there’s nothing running through ya’

You awakened in the dark of night

And stayed up praying ‘til the dawn’s first light

For kindness and resilience Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah