I’d just like to start with saying that I’ve mentioned Leonard Cohen above as he wrote Hallelujah originally back in 1984, it is a very different version to the one I heard first which was the Jeff Buckley version of the song.
Hallelujah is the fifth track on Leonard Cohen’s record Various Positions which was released in December 1984.
The Jeff Buckley version of Hallelujah, which is probably the best known cover version, was track six on the record Grace which was released in August 1994.
What can you say about this song, fantastic, great song, emotional, hard to do justice too in performance unless you have a voice like Buckley’s, highs and lows throughout.
I think words can’t do this song justice and how haunting Jeff’s version is.
The original is alot different and so is the John Cale version too, just in the general feel and also if you aren’t used to Cohen’s voice and the way he sings.
I’m trying to remember when I first heard it, it was definitely Jeff’s version and I think introduced to me by a good friend and drummer in the band I was playing in when I was just out of school and from then on, after buying the cd, I have been listening to this song and playing it on my acoustic guitar since.
Is it one of the best songs ever written?
The choice is yours, for me it is definitely up there.
The chords to learn how to play this song on guitar are below with a few notes too, and also the video for the song off Youtube so you don’t have to go hunting for it if you want to play along.
Play Hallelujah on guitar
Intro
C Am C Am
Verse
C Am
I heard there was a secret chord
C Am
That David played and it pleased the lord
F G C G
But you don’t really care for music, do ya
C F G
Well it goes like this the fourth, the fifth
Am F
The minor fall and the major lift
G Em Am
The baffled king composing hallelujah
Chorus
F Am F C G C
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelu jah
Am C Am
Verse
C Am
Well your faith was strong but you needed proof
C Am
You saw her bathing on the roof
F G C G
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
C F G
She tied you to her kitchen chair
Am F
And she broke your throne and she cut your hair
G Em Am
And from your lips she drew the hallelujah.
Chorus
F Am F C G C
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelu jah
Am C Am
Verse
C Am
Baby I’ve been here before
C Am
I’ve seen this room and I’ve walked this floor
F G C G
You know, I used to live alone before I knew you
C F G
I’ve seen your flag on the marble arch
Am F
But love is not a victory march
G Em Am
It’s a cold and it’s a broken hallelujah
Chorus
F Am F C G C
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelu jah
Am C Am
Verse
C Am
Well there was a time when you let me know
C Am
What’s really going on below
F G C G
But now you never show that to me do ya
C F G
But remember when I moved in you
Am F
And the holy dove was moving too
G Em Am
And every breath we drew was hallelujah
Chorus
F Am F C G C
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelu jah
Am C Am
Verse
C Am
Well, maybe there’s a god above
C Am
But all I’ve ever learned from love
F G C G
Was how to shoot somebody who outdrew ya
C F G
It’s not a cry that you hear at night
Am F
It’s not somebody who’s seen the light
G Em Am
It’s a cold and it’s a broken hallelujah
Chorus
F Am F C G C
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelu jah
Notes on playing Hallelujah
Here is the video of song for you from Youtube, just click the play icon, scroll up a bit, and play along.
I have given you the Jeff Buckley version so you can see how well the song can be played.
I have given you the basic structure of the song, obviously it better to start and get a feel for the song rather than launch into copying Jeff’s version.
I use the KISS rule and keep it simple stupid, and enjoy the song and chords for what they are.
As you get better playing it and feeling the song the extras can come.
Here is the song structure for you as well if you need it.
Intro
Verse
Chorus
Verse
Chorus
Verse
Chorus
Verse
Chorus
Verse
Chorus
Well this brings us to the end of what has been an enjoyable song to learn and play on guitar.
More to come soon, or you can look here for more songs to learn to play on guitar.