Hallelujah Time

Leonard Cohen’s song is only one of many to invoke the Biblical praise phrase

Raise your arms to the heavens and sway. Photo by Noel Holston

I read a sweet piece in Mental Floss the other day about “Hallelujah,” Leonard Cohen’s bittersweet homage to this crazy little thing called life, and how this rather unlikely anthem came to join the likes of chestnuts like “Yesterday” and “White Christmas” on the list of all-time most covered tunes.

The article (by Kenneth Partridge) got me thinking about other songs that have invoked that particular shout of praise in the title and/or lyrics, thus yet another Pop Stand playlist.

As always, please add more titles if you can.

Hallelujah — Leonard Cohen or some 300 other musical artists, among them Jeff Buckley and KD Lang.

Little David Play On Your Harp, Hallelu, Hallelu — Mahalia Jackson

Hallelujah, I Love Her So — Ray Charles

Get Happy — Judy Garland (“Shout hallelujah/C’mon get happy/Get ready for the Judgement Day”)

Hallelujah, I’m a Bum — Al Jolson

Turn of the Century — The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (“Hallelujah, I can’t wait to see it/ Hallelujah, come on and go with me/ Let me show you the way it’s gonna be/ At the turn/ The turn of the century”)

Hallelujah Time — Bob Marley & The Wailers

The Battle Hymn of the Republic — Elvis Presley (“Glory, glory, hallelujah”)

The Hallelujah Chorus — The Roches