Another WORLD Member takes song captive

In late 2012, WORLD editor in chief Marvin Olasky wrote new lyrics to Leonard Cohen’s much-covered and much-celebrated “Hallelujah” and encouraged WORLD Members to record themselves playing and singing it, and to post their performances to YouTube. We shared several videos with you in January 2013, but we recently ran across one we overlooked by Brian LoPiccolo:

One of Brian’s commenters on YouTube wrote, “Nice job Brian, When I heard this song with its original words I said to myself, what a beautiful melody and what pointless words. Now you’ve sung it with some very meaningful words. Praise God!”

It’s not too late for you to flex your vocal cords and sit down at the piano or with your guitar and record your version of “Hallelujah” with Marvin’s lyrics. When you do, please send him (molasky@wng.org) the link.

Here are Marvin’s lyrics once again:

I’ve heard there was a secret chord That David played, it pleased the Lord. But You don’t love us for our music, do You? Sin goes like this: The fourth, the fifth, Adam’s fall, the major rift, The baffled king neglecting Hallelujah. Chorus: Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah.

Nathan said, “I see your lust. You violate a soldier’s trust. Your pride, your pomp, at night they overthrew you. You steal, you kill, you get your way, But God has said, your child will pay, And from your lips He’ll draw the Hallelujah.” Chorus: 4X Hallelujah

David prayed, “Have mercy, Lord, You saved me from Goliath’s sword. Yes, I lived for self before I knew you. Now, more evil in your sight, So I give up, I cannot fight. Mine’s a cold and broken Hallelujah.” Chorus: 4X Hallelujah

“Blood your hyssop, I’ll be clean. Wash me so my sin’s not seen. Give me of your Holy Spirit, will you? Create in me a new, clean heart. Give me now a strong, fresh start, So every breath I draw is Hallelujah.” Chorus: 4X Hallelujah

“You don’t delight in sacrifice. You don’t excuse our secret vice. You want from us a broken spirit, do you? You’ve shown me what I did was wrong. I’ll stand before You, Lord of song, With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah.” Chorus: 8X Hallelujah