This article was written for the April 2025 issues of our parish magazine: I have written before about Leonard Cohen’s song “Hallelujah” (September 2024), but this version has new lyrics, written by Kelly Mooney: A crown of thorns placed on His head, He knew that He would soon be dead, He said did you forget … More Hallelujah! (Cohen, arr. Rickley)
Hallelujah! He is risen! Our parish choir sings for you the words of James F Rickley, setting the Easter story to Leonard Cohen’s timeless classic, “Hallelujah” St Margaret’s Church Prestwich holds CCLI licences CCL 79250, MRL 775231 and 466111 for music streaming and One Licence M-40120 for music streaming. • Hallelujah (Easter lyrics) © 1985 … More Music for Easter Monday
He is Risen! Hallelujah! Our choir celebrates by singing “Risen Lord”: St Margaret’s Church Prestwich holds CCLI licences CCL 79250, MRL 775231 and 466111 for music streaming and One Licence M-40120 for music streaming.
Cohen steadfastly avoided giving explanations for his lyrics, instead allowing cover singers and audiences to find their own meaning in the poetry. He did however say that “many different hallelujahs exist”, and that “there is a religious hallelujah, but there are many other ones. When one looks at the world, there’s only one thing to say, and it’s hallelujah” … More Hallelujah – Leonard Cohen (1934-2016)
Alleluia!
This is indeed the Alleluia season.
There are many, many pieces of celebratory church music that have just the one word – Alleluia – and since this magazine issue is going out predominantly online, I thought this would be a good time to showcase some of them … More Alleluia
St Margaret's Church Prestwich 