Last night’s televised “hope for haiti now” fundraiser was moving at times and inspirational. Besides the obvious need for the event, the music was a true delight. I celebrate and support both the cause and artistry of the night.

Being one that loves music and sometimes wishes a singing career would have been in the “chords”, I’ve learned to appreciate artists that perform with their heart and soul, and are not afraid to throw their emotions to the end of a long sleeve with songs that touch them in some way.

Last night and live, Justin Timberlake and Matt Morris had the performance of the night with their moving rendition of ‘Hallelujah”.

“Hallelujah’ is a song that can take center stage all by itself. The artist merely puts a melody and emotion to the words. I’ve sang this song myself, without much talent, but with conviction of one voice with a congregation in song knowing the stage is sometimes, something more than where the microphones are placed.

I went to bed last night thinking of the song and its lyrics…I got up this morning with it still on my mind. ‘Hallelujah’ has been a favorite of mine for some time, as it has been for many an artist as well. In searching iTunes and YouTube this morning, so many good versions of the song were found, done by professionals and amateurs alike, and performed in several languages.

I’m sharing 17 halleluhahs with you (none of which thankfully are my personal YouTube renditions. I’m way too much out of key these days to sing to anyone but God and Mackie Queen of Scots through a shower door) – you decide your favorite. Nearly all these artists already have songs on my iPhone, but not a ‘hallelujah’ yet. iTunes should be able to help me spend $10-$20 in getting those downloaded. Might I suggest the bare footed k.d. Lang version, or maybe I should say ‘bare souled’ k.d. Lang  is really, really good, as is II Divo (I’ve always had some unrealistic Italian opera aspirations).

Listen at your leisure…or not at all (I know I have gone a bit overboard with this posting of song). But if you do take listen, you will find yourself singing ‘hallelujah’ with each one of these folks.

K.D. Lang

II Divo (in Italian)

Alexandra Burke

Imogen Heap

Espen Lind (on guitar), Askil Holm, Alejandro Fuentes, Kurt Nilsen (World Idol)

Jeff Buckley

Bon Jovi

Kate Voegele

Sheryl Crow

Rufus Wainwright

John Cale

Allison Crowe

I found a couple videos of new favorite amateurs (perhaps not for long with these voices)

Nora Foss al-Jabri

Angelika Vee

And then lets hear if from the guy that actually wrote the lyrics. He performs the song with the emotion he intended it to be sang.

Leonard Cohen

OK, K.D. Lang does this song so well, I give you another live version to give a listen. You tell me, it doesn’t bring you goosebumps….

And since this is the post that never ends: if you want the lyrics (by Leonard Cohen)…have them, read them inspired:

Now I’ve heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don’t really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you
To a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

Baby I have been here before
I know this room, I’ve walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew you.
I’ve seen your flag on the marble arch
Love is not a victory march
It’s a cold and it’s a broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

There was a time you let me know
What’s really going on below
But now you never show it to me, do you?
And remember when I moved in you
The holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

You say I took the name in vain
I don’t even know the name
But if I did, well really, what’s it to you?
There’s a blaze of light
In every word
It doesn’t matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

I did my best, it wasn’t much
I couldn’t feel, so I tried to touch
I’ve told the truth, I didn’t come to fool you
And even though
It all went wrong
I’ll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah