No offense, but Leonard Cohen's original version will never be touched. Even he screwed it up after rewriting the lyrics later on. You create a masterpiece, don't come in with paint thinner and try to improve it.

But then again, it's his baby. Let him treat it as he will.

Most of my life, I've sung with large choruses with orchestra. Often, the music is holy-roller rich, but minus the lyrics - it's the music itself that hooks me !

Any music, even religious music, if it lifts you up and gives you peace and pleasure is good for us. I love the old spirituals sung by Ernie Ford. If the music gets the blood flowing and the endorphins flowing , yeah. In this case it's the messenger (music) and not the message

It's not a religious song at all.

I prefer the Pentatonix version, sung in Death Valley. One of the most desolate places on earth.

You have to have gone through a dark place. (hell?) To sing it properly.

And been completely broken. But get up and know they didn't end you.

We grow back stronger at the broken places.

Hallelujah

The words are actually pretty anti-religious! Go see them on Youtube, just add the word "lyrics" to your search.

It is a beautiful song. I do prefer Leonard Cohen's lyrics.

I prefer Green Sleeves but the lyrics are stupid.

I would not have expected this artist to perform this music. It is beautiful music.