Easter Hallelujah

This is a song for Easter, about Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. 

It was was written by Canadian singer/songwriter Kelley Mooney and first released on her 2011 album, Tomorrow.

The song is set to the unnamed tune which was written by Canadian singer Leonard Cohen (1934-2016) for his 1984-released song "Hallelujah".    

Cohen's original tune had a 12/8 time signature.   A popular arrangement by American singer song-writer Jeff Buckely (1966-1996), which is often used when the tune is set with different words, presents it as 6/8.   In both cases, in the key of E, the first few notes of the melody are B, BBBB cccc

Use of Cohen's song, or the accompanying tune, in church-settings can be controversial.  Cohen's words draw from several parts of the Bible (especially the Song of Songs), but they were not intended to convey the Christian message.   Many people feel that the tune carries the same associations.   However, despite Cohen's intentions, many perceive that the song (both the words and the tune) are religious and so are suitable for church use.   And a number of alternative sets of words which are intended to communicate the Christian message - like this one - have been written and are popular.

Image based on one from Piqsels

Downloads

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4 part male harmony with piano accompaniment, arranged by Paul A. Jorg. 10 pages.

Downloadable sheet music, piano solo (no lyrics), 4 pages

Examples

Duet with piano (Jeff Buckley arrangement) - professional-quality recording

Sung by the author, with on-screen lyrics and movie scenes

Singer and choir with piano, recorded live in a church service

Singer, unaccompanied

Message of encouragement and the song with guitar sung by the author (sound quality is not great, song starts at 2:44)

Piano instrumental, with on-screen lyrics

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website. A rough outline is:

1  A crown of thorns placed on His head, He knew that He would soon be dead.
He said,... 

chorus:
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

2  He hung His head and prepared to die, then lifted His face up to the sky
Said .....

3  The soldier who had used his sword to pierce the body of our Lord
Said, .....

4  Took from his head the thorny crown and wrapped him in a linen gown
Then .....

5  Three days went by, again they came to move the stone, to bless the slain
With .....

See more ...

• Easter hymns
• Soft-rock hymns

KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY
A crown of thorns placed on His head
He knew that He would soon be dead
He said, "Did you forget me, Father did you?"
They nailed Him to a wooden cross
Soon all the world would feel the loss
Of Christ the King before His Hallelujah


chorus:
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah.


He hung His head and prepared to die
Then lifted His face up to the sky
Said, "I am coming home now Father, to you"
A reed which held His final sip
Was gently lifted to his lips
He drank His last and gave His soul to glory


The soldier who had used his sword
To pierce the body of our Lord
Said, "Truly, this was Jesus Christ our Saviour"
He looked with fear upon his sword
Then turned to face his Christ and Lord
Fell to his knees crying Hallelujah


Took from his head the thorny crown
And wrapped him in a linen gown
Then laid him down to rest inside the tomb
The holes in his hands, his feet and side
Now in our hearts we know he died
To save us from ourselves, oh Hallelujah


Three days went by, again they came
To move the stone, to bless the slain
With oil and spice anointing Hallelujah
But as they went to move the stone
They saw that they were not alone
For Jesus Christ has risen, Hallelujah.