The first time I heard this song, it was actually playing in the background of a scene in "The West Wing," shortly after Mark Harmon's character had been killed during a robbery. In combination with the scene, the lyrics just touched me. I sought the song out and just immediately connected to it. Since then, I've heard other artists perform the song, my favorite being k.d. lang. Her voice is wonderful and the passion she puts into the song gives you chills. I actually had the pleasure of seeing her perform it live last year at a concert in Davis, CA. I cried and was moved beyond words. If someone were to ask me what it is about this song that touches me the way it does, I wouldn't really be able to answer them. I don't know what it is exactly. The melody. The lyrics. The all too familiar emotions behind the words. Whatever it is, this is one song that I will stop what I'm doing to listen to. I have several versions in my music library, and I often listen to it several times a week, if not several times a day depending on my mood. It could be that the song helps me find some hope when I can't find a way out of the darkness on my own.

Her Juno Awards performance of the song, courtesy of YouTube:

Lyrics below are courtesy of k.d. lang's web site:

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 cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah

Baby I've been here before
I've seen this room and I've walked the floor
I used to live alone before I knew you
I've seen your flag on the marble arch
Our love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah

Well, maybe there's a God above
But all I've ever learned from love
Was how to shoot somebody who outdrew you
It's not a cry that you hear at night
It's not someone who's seen the light
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah