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Christmas Hallelujah
sung to the melody of “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen
When I hear a song of destiny,
Of peace and love and harmony,
From deep within I feel an Hallelujah.
When I can feel a tingling spine,
A heavenly vision with earth align,
Then from my soul I’m praying Hallelujah.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
A soaring voice, the instrument,
The power of the testament,
Bring moisture to my eyes, Oh, Hallelujah!
Can mortals join with angel chorus?
Just think of things, the King did for us.
I bow my head and thank Him, Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Let nations rise and nations fall.
The One who is the God of all
Sent hope to be among us. Hallelujah!
The gold, the myrrh, the frankincense
Mere symbols of his eminence.
The wise men give him praise, Oh, Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
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LTC Roy E. Peterson, US Army Military Intelligence and Russian Foreign Area Officer (Retired) has published more than 5,000 poems in 78 of his 101 books. He has been an Army Attaché in Moscow, Commander of INF Portal Monitoring in Votkinsk, first US Foreign Commercial Officer in Vladivostok, Russia and Regional Manager in the Russian Far East for IBM. He holds a BA, Hardin-Simmons University (Political Science); MA, University of Arizona (Political Science); MA, University of Southern California (Int. Relations) and MBA University of Phoenix. He taught at the University of Arizona, Western New Mexico University, University of Maryland, Travel University and the University of Phoenix.
This is a wonderful, heartfelt song of praise for the birth of Jesus! What makes it doubly special is the fact that the subject of Leonard Cohen’s original “Hallelujah” is King David. Given that Jesus is a descendent of David, this gives your version a wonderful historical and theological resonance. Merry Christmas, Roy!
Wonderful comments, especially pointing out the historical genealogical relationship to David! Merry Christmas to you, as well!
Happy Christmas to you Roy. You are a star poet and this is great to read at the close of a gloomy old English day. Thank you and best wishes from over here.
Bless you, Jeff, and thank you for the wonderful comments. Merry Christmas over there!
A wise man you are, Roy, with the right perspective. This song is humanly perfect, allowing that angels are greater and their King divine. You make “a heavenly vision with earth align.” I don’t know the Cohen song, but I will credit you with using his music to achieve magnificence in poetry. I sang Victoria and Ravanello in Latin today, and it is a joy to find this lovely English song, that could supplement “Angels We Have Heard on High.”
I am both honored and humbled to be placed in such stellar company! I wish I could have heard you sing or be in the same choir singing. Bless you, Margaret, for your artistic talents in poetry and music. I thank you for your special comments.
I’m a huge fan of the lyrics of Leonard Cohen and it makes perfect sense to celebrate such an awesome day with this huge smile of a poem. It lifts the spirits with the wonder of the birth of Jesus in words that draw upon a superb song to add melody to the beautiful message. Thank you, Roy! Happy Boxing Day to you!
I tried to do justice in words to the beautiful music of Leonard Cohen with his poem, “Hallelujah,” written about King David, as sung by the Canadian Tenors. I wrote these lyrics several years ago after hearing how beautiful the music was and am thankful it was posted on Christmas. Thank you so much for your kind comments and believe it or not, as a Yank, I do know about boxing day! Happy Boxing Day in return!
I’m ashamed to admit my ignorance about Leonard Cohen but it did not stop me from enjoying this poem. Great work again and I will download Hallelujah to remedy that deficit.
I should have posted the soundtrack for this great music. Thank you for your comment about enjoying the poem/song.