Who among us
takes that name
in vain when none know
it’s diction, the sound
of all sounds shaped
before any lips were made
to sing such fullness.
If I heard even one syllable
of that name,
my mouth could not hold it
and unspoken it would resonate
inside my throat
and I would sound it
like a struck tuning fork,
humming always
a single chord of praise.
At dVerse, we are writing work inspired by Leonard Cohen. I wrote this listening to the studio version of Hallelujah. You can listen to it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3Fkuq5Lf0Q
This resonates for me
Bart–thank you so much. Means a lot to have you say that, as I am in awe of your work.
“humming always a single chord of praise” – This is what the song Hallelujah does for me. It is a beautiful song, and when I hear it it will transport me to ‘higher places.’ Hard to take the name in vain with that word on one’s lips or in one’s mind.
Oh, so beautifully said, Mary. As I replied to Claudia, I always feel I am eavesdropping on someone praying when I hear this song–it has such a naked spirituality to it.
I would have chosen that Cohen song too, it gives me chills and moves me. Love that you chose it and what you did here Susie.
Oh, thank you! Please, please do one too-I would love to read your take.
my mouth could not hold it
and unspoken it would resonate
inside my throat…nice…it worked well…smiles
Claudia, thank you. Whenever I listen to this song, it is as if I am eavesdropping on someone’s prayer, threaded through with carnality and passion, but holy nonetheless.
I love that music, one of my fav ~ I like the praise you give to the sound and shape of His Name ~
Thanks, Grace. That is the one thing I hear in that song, threaded underneath all of it, is the stretch of clay to heaven, as in prayer.
really nicely played against the song…some really great parts…If I heard even one syllable
of that name,
my mouth could not hold it…is a fav line, the admission in it…the sound of all sounds is a great description as well….very cool response…
Brian, thanks so much. This song always fills me with humility when I listen to it.
Wonderful homage to one of the most amazing songs ever written.
Andrea–thank you, and I agree that “Hallelujah” is one of the best ever, if not the best.
Love that song – and really enjoyed your poem too. You’ve done a great job of reflectong the spirituality of Cohen’s song here.
Tony, thank you. That song has so much in it that is perfect, it is hard to write something that can reflect a ray or two.
Beautiful, Susan. I too love those first 3 lines of the second stanza – really moving poem. K
K, thank you so much.
Lovely sharing Susan. I love the second stanza… it sings to me.
Bjorn, thanks so much! Glad it does.
Lovely – especially the eternal tuning fork.
Thanks, Holly. Something about tuning forks fascinates me–have no idea why.
A lovely rif on the song, Susan. k.
Thank you, K.
Beautiful… this makes me want to sing and rejoice!
Laurie, thank you. That’s what listening to the song does for me!
It has a deep reverence to it. Nicely done.
Thank you, JCN. Song does it to me every time.
I used that song as my inspiration too. It affects me deeply every time I hear it. It’s so filled with the abject sadness of life and yet…there’s great reverence and holiness there…like your take on it. Wonderful.
oh, thank you! Heading over to see your take now.
I so agree I love the word love the song – I am not religious but one doesn’t have to be to become ‘one’ with the song. I have the Jeff Buckley version. Gorgeous tribute Sus.
I have always loved this, and I swear it is like eavesdropping on someone praying. Very spiritual, which has not a thing to do with “religion” which can be truly icky stuff. Thanks for sharing. I love LC’s lyrics, but hate his voice. He is like Tom Waits–love the substance, detest the delivery.
Listen to JC… hmm that’s not what I meant
lol JB not JC – oh dear such a woopsie
Love the song, really enjoy Kd Lang’s version, a lovely poem inspired by a great song.
I will have to check that out. i am right now in the midst of Bono’s version, which really did murder a great song. hate to say that, because I so admire the man’s work.
Oh well done Susan – excellent.
Anna
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Thank you so much, Anna.
The name of God, the mystery, captured in your poem as an awesome joy, “humming always.”
Thank you Susan. You translated this perfectly.
wonderful take on the feel of this song, Susan. Jeff Buckley does a sublime version, I also like KD Lang’s. This must be one of the most covered songs of all time…true poetry.
Thanks, jane. I agree–I do think KD Lang’s cover is the best.
Love the reference to the tuning fork. I can hear the hum
Thanks so much, Gretchen.
Intense, spiritual and deep!
Thank you, Noel. That song always wrings it out of me.
for me it is a bittersweet song, beautiful with some dark jagged edges.
great poem
Lucy, thank you!
I am inspired this morning right through my viral haze. This is something strong, indeed.
Alice, thank you. hope you feel better soon.
Leonard is one of my all time favourites. Closing Time will never fail to cheer me.
Oh, I love that song!