Lyrics of the "Hallelujah" song by Leonard Cohen

Well I heard there was a secret chord
That David played and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?

(My comments: It has been said that this is a reverence to King David of biblical fame)

Well it goes like this the fourth, the fifth
The minor fall and the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah

Refrain: (basically the vocalist sings the word "Hallelujah" over and over in a rather sad and mournful way)

Well 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 her kitchen chair
She broke your throne and she cut your hair
And from your lips, she drew the Hallelujah

My comments: It has been suggested that is about Sampson & Delilah (the guy who lost his strength when his hair was cut off.)

Refrain

Baby, I've been here before
I've seen this room and I've walked this floor
You know, I used to live alone before I knew you

And I've seen your flag on the marble arch
And Love is not a victory march
It's a cold and broken Hallelujah

Refrain

Well, there was a time when you let me know
What's really going on below
But now you never show that to me, do you?

But remember when I moved in you
And the holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah

My comments: Some thought this might have been a reverence to sexual intercourse, others theorize that it may mean the Christ child in Mary's womb as a result of the Holy Spirit, etc.

Maybe there's a God above
But all I've learned from love
Was how to shoot somebody who outdrew you

And it's not a cry that you hear at night
And it's not somebody who's seen the light
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah

Refrain

So what do you think it all means? I found it very intriguing and will be writing on this piece as an assignment for school.