Peter Hollens's song, Hallelujah, is a cover of the original song by Leonard Cohen. The song tells a story of love, loss, and redemption. The lyrics reference biblical figures, such as David, and use religious imagery to convey a complex emotional journey. The first verse describes a secret chord that David played that pleased the Lord, but the listener is told that they don't really care for music. The chorus repeats the word "Hallelujah," which means "praise God" in Hebrew. The second verse shifts to the story of a man who falls for a woman he sees bathing on a rooftop. He is overwhelmed by her beauty but is ultimately betrayed by her. She ties him to a chair, breaks his throne, and cuts his hair before drawing the Hallelujah from his lips. The third verse speaks directly to the listener, saying that the narrator has been here before and has seen their flag on a "marble arch," perhaps representing a symbol of power. However, the narrator warns that love is not a victory march and that it can be cold and broken. The final verse describes the narrator's honesty and effort to connect with the listener. Even though things didn't turn out as planned, the narrator will still stand before the Lord of Song with nothing on their tongue but Hallelujah. In essence, the song conveys a message of acceptance and surrender to a higher power, even in the face of heartbreak.
