Leonard Cohen - Hallelujah

* credit fot the main verse/Chorus tabbing goes to paul sanluis ( he has the chords
for original song lyrics submitted on this site ) . thank you paul . : )
i love jeff buckley’s rendition of this song , but it’s kind of a sad message . i
just wanted to humbly submit this uplifting christian version of the lyrics for
those so inclined . hope you enjoy my first tab . it’s not 100% but it works .
: ) thanks , dave .
standard tuning capo on 5th fret : pronounce the “you” in 3rd line of each verse as “ya”

intro : my version
slow individual string picking using chorus word timing without singing . . .

G G Am Am Am Am Em Em
( hal le lu jah , hal le lu jah )

G G Am Am Am Am Em Em
( hal le lu jah , hal le lu jah . . . . )

G G D D D D Am Am
( hal le lu jah , hal le lu jah . . . . )

Am Am Em B7#5 C pause . . . D – G Em7 G Em7

( hal le lu uuu uuuuuu jah . . . . ) quick switch leading into verse notes . . .

vs 1 : low key singing , almost whispering . . .

G Em7
i heard there was a secret chord
G Em7
that david played and it pleased the lord;
C D G D
a song of honest worship , jesus , to ya .
G C D
well , i don’t know if i have his gift
Em C D7
with psalms the father to uplift ,
D B7 Em7
the blessed king composing hallelujah .

chorus :

C Em C G D G Em7 G Em7
hallelujah , hallelujah , hallelujah , hallelu – u – u – u – jah . . . .

vs 2 : still low key singing but with more emphasis . . .

G Em7
your faith was strong so you felt aloof
G Em7
you saw her bathing on the roof .
C D G D
her beauty and the moonlight overthrew ya .
G C D
then you fell down that icy slope ,
Em C D7
that one mistake , it cost you hope
D B7 Em7
when from your lips she drew the hallelujah

chorus :

C Em C G D G Em7 G Em7
hallelujah , hallelujah , hallelujah , hallelu – u – u – u – jah . . . .

vs 3 : low key singing becoming very mournful halfway through . . .

G Em7
there was a time you told the lord
G Em7
the secrets that your heart had stored ,
C D G D
but straying meant the link was torn between ya .
G C D
you tried to hide the sin from sight ,
Em C D7
but , on your knees , wept in the night ,
D B7 Em7
with a guilty and a broken hallelujah .

chorus * 2 : both times with words ( mournful ) followed by instrumental

C Em C G D
hallelujah , hallelujah , hallelujah , hallelu – u – u – u – jah . . . .

C Em C G D G Em7 G Em7
hallelujah , hallelujah , hallelujah , hallelu – u – u – u – jah . . . .

after second chorus lead into instrumental . . .

Am Am C – D G G D

G G C – D Em Em B7 B7 ,

G G G D C

C Em D D7 pause . . . then into vs 4

vs 4 : louder , more certain singing . . . build in tempo/Crescendo halfway through . . .

G Em7
jesus , he’s been through this door .
G Em7
he’s seen your faults and mine before .
C D G D
he paid the price , and purged that sin right through ya .
G C D
now remember when he made you whole
Em C D7
and the holy spirit stirred your soul ,
D B7 Em7
and every moment lived was hallelujah

chorus * 2 : second time without words

emphasize first “hallelujah”

C Em C G D
hallelujah! hallelujah , hallelujah , hallelu – u – u – u – jah . . . .

C Em C G D G Em7 G Em7

vs 5 : loud and triumphant singing building to exultant!

G Em7
well , i love jesus , up above ,
G Em7
who taught me of amazing love;
C D G D D D ( hold two beats )
the one who died to draw us back , lord , to ya .
G C D
now christians saved by his great grace
Em C D7
can look towards the saviour`s face
D B7 Em7
and raise their voice in glorious hallelujah!

chorus * 3 :

go high on the last “hallelujah”
C Em C G D
hallelujah , hallelujah , hallelujah , hallelu – u – u – u – jah . . . .

emphasize first two “hallelujahs” , then lower , and drag out and hold last
“hallelujah” while playing the notes for another full chorus length . . .
C Em C G D
hallelujah! hallelujah , hallelujah , hallelu – u – u – u – uuu . . . .

C Em C G D
uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu . . . .

then final chorus in low , slow and gentle singing . . .
C Em C G D G
hallelujah , hallelujah , hallelujah , halle lu – u – u – u – jah . . . .