One of the things I really like about Hallelujah is how the word strays from being a religious adoration to almost being a shudder of earthly love with 'from his lips you drew the hallelujah...' You kind of get why there has to be a word like 'hallelujah', which is probably untranslatable from Hebrew, and in English pretty well expresses things we don't have other words for.
It's a common merging of tropes, this conflation of love and divine adoration, and it goes way back to Classical stuff, and probably forever, but it's pretty powerful if it's done well, and every generation rediscovers it as one of the most potent expressions of both awe and love.
Dear me, Xmas Day 12:45 and I'm waffling over-seriously like a fool in a tepid bath.
Off to play with a flying radio controlled pterosaur.
It would be *interesting* to look at each of those 'hallelujahs' and try to explain the definition of each one and how it differs in meaning from the others. I love people making words change their meanings.
Oh I do adore this version, his voice was amazingly beautiful. Shame he died so young, such a talent.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely way to start Christmas morning! And I think Mr C himself got to Number 36 too.
ReplyDeleteHave a good one
Amanda
Happy Christmas, Amanda. Are you also familiar with Jeff Buckley's father, Tim, who died even younger than Jeff? He's pretty special too.
ReplyDeletehttp://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=0dwwaS5B_vY
Happy, Xmas, Weaver!
ReplyDeleteGod, Song to the Siren just breaks me in two.
ReplyDeleteHad heard the name but not the music. What a glorious voice :)
ReplyDeletehttp://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=TPtSVouKW10&feature=related
ReplyDeleteNot only can you pop in here for some awesome reading, now there's great music. Never heard of Tim before but thanks for the link - just beautiful.
ReplyDeletezoe
One of the things I really like about Hallelujah is how the word strays from being a religious adoration to almost being a shudder of earthly love with 'from his lips you drew the hallelujah...' You kind of get why there has to be a word like 'hallelujah', which is probably untranslatable from Hebrew, and in English pretty well expresses things we don't have other words for.
ReplyDeleteIt's a common merging of tropes, this conflation of love and divine adoration, and it goes way back to Classical stuff, and probably forever, but it's pretty powerful if it's done well, and every generation rediscovers it as one of the most potent expressions of both awe and love.
Dear me, Xmas Day 12:45 and I'm waffling over-seriously like a fool in a tepid bath.
Off to play with a flying radio controlled pterosaur.
Crikey, talk about voices and hallelujah...
ReplyDeletehttp://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=P_NpxTWbovE
Yes it does - but I prefer to hear it as earthly love. Perhaps I'm just too romantic! 'he saw her bathing on the roof' - that alone wipes me out.
ReplyDelete14.36 - xmas day and I'm reading your blog!
note to myself: get a life! lol
zoe
It would be *interesting* to look at each of those 'hallelujahs' and try to explain the definition of each one and how it differs in meaning from the others. I love people making words change their meanings.
ReplyDeleteyes, and it's something you do very very well. let's all take a look then.
ReplyDeletezoe