“Hallelujah” Piano Chords by Leonard Cohen – Easy Piano Tutorial and PDF
Here is how to play “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen on piano with chords.
So, you want to learn how to play “Hallelujah” on your piano or keyboard? Fantastic – you’ve come to the perfect place.
On this page you will find all the information you need – including the lyrics with piano chords as a downloadable PDF, a free video lesson of the song, an additional chord lesson about the musical key and much more usable how-to piano information.
Here’s a quick overview of all the goodies you will find on this page:
- “Hallelujah” piano chords chart (easy) for piano and guitar (with lyrics) – Free PDF Download
- Free video lesson. Learn to play “Hallelujah” with chords – using both hands
- “Hallelujah” piano sheet music (piano notes) – links
- Listen to the original recording of Hallelujah on YouTube
- Learn More: Chart of related chords in the same key as the song
- Free Online Webinar: “Piano in 3 Weeks” – Learn to play any pop or rock song with chords.
- More about Leonard Cohen and the song “Hallelujah”
- “Hallelujah” Lyrics with Chords – Sing and Play right on this page
1. “Hallelujah” piano chords chart (easy) for piano and guitar (with lyrics)
Free PDF Download – CLICK HERE to download your copy
2. Free video lesson. Learn to play “Hallelujah” with chords – using both hands
Start the video and learn how to play Hallelujah using chords and using both hands on the piano or keyboard
3. “Hallelujah” piano sheet music (piano notes) – links
In the video lesson I showed you how to play Hallelujah using chords.
If you want to learn to play the melodi line in your right hand – you need to read the sheet music for the song.
In this section you can find some links that will direct you to the sheet music for Hallelujah.
Please note: If you want to get high quality sheet music you often have to pay for it – but it’s possible to find free piano sheet music online – however – these can oftentimes have been made by music amateurs and can be less accurate.
Below you will find links in both categories.
- Download Sheet Music for “Hallelujah” – CLICK HERE!
- Download Sheet Music for “Hallelujah” – CLICK HERE!
4. Listen to the original recording of “Hallelujah” on YouTube
If you want to learn a song on the piano, it’s always a good idea to listen to the original soundtrack. Both before you start learning the song on piano – but also as a reference as you move forward learning.
Here is the original recording by Leonard Cohen and his band:
5. Learn More: Table of related chords in the same key as the song
In the key of C major, the chords are built from the notes of the C major scale, which has no sharps or flats (C, D, E, F, G, A, B). Each note in the scale is assigned a number, called a scale degree, and chords are built on those degrees.
In “Hallelujah,” some of the common chords you’ll see include C (the I chord), which is the root chord in the key of C.
Another important chord is F (the IV chord), built from the fourth note of the scale, and G (the V chord), built from the fifth note.
These chords work well together and form the backbone of many songs. In “Hallelujah” you also encounter Am (the vi chord), which adds a more emotional, minor sound to the song – and it’s the chord that’s mentioned in the lyrics as “the minor fall”.
All these chords are closely related to the C major scale, and learning how they fit together helps you understand why they sound so good when played in sequence.
In the table below you can see which chords belong the the key of C. You will notice that you can find all the chords used in Hallelujah in this table – except one – namely the E major chord. If you look in the chord table below you can see, that on the third step you will find the chord E minor. The E major chord is in this case called a “variation chord” of the 3rd step in the scale.
| Step on Scale | Chord Name | Notes in Chord |
| 1 | C | C – E – G |
| 2 | Dm | D – F – A |
| 3 | Em | E – G – B |
| 4 | F | F – A – C |
| 5 | G | G – B – D |
| 6 | Am | A – C – E |
| 7 | Bm(b5) | B – D – F |
6. Free Online Webinar: “Piano in 3 Weeks”
– Learn to play any pop or rock song with chords.
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No need for sheet music or tiresome theory.
Learn this method once – and use it again and again on any song you want to learn.
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7. More about Leonard Cohen and the song “Hallelujah”
Leonard Cohen was a Canadian singer-songwriter, poet, and novelist known for his deeply emotional and poetic lyrics. Born in 1934, Cohen gained international recognition with songs like “Suzanne” and “Bird on the Wire.”
His music often explored themes of love, spirituality, and human struggle. “Hallelujah,” first released in 1984 on his album Various Positions, is one of his most celebrated songs. Despite its initial lack of commercial success, the song gained immense popularity through numerous covers by artists like Jeff Buckley and Rufus Wainwright.
Combining spiritual and secular themes, “Hallelujah” has since become an anthem of resilience and transcendence.
8. “Hallelujah” Lyrics with Chords – Sing and Play right on this page
[Verse 1]
C Am
Now I've heard there was a secret chord
C Am
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
F G C G
But you don't really care for music, do you?
C F G
It goes like this the fourth, the fifth
Am F
The minor fall, the major lift
G E7 Am
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
F Am F C G C G
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelu-u-jah
[Verse 2]
C Am
Your faith was strong, but you needed proof
C Am
You saw her bathing on the roof
F G C G
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew ya
C F G
She tied you to a kitchen chair
Am F
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
G E7 Am
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
F Am F C G C G
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelu-u-jah
[Verse 3]
C Am
You say I took the name in vain
C Am
I don't even know the name
F G C G
But if I did, well really, what's it to ya?
C F G
There's a blaze of light in every word
Am F
It doesn't matter which you heard
G E7 Am
The holy or the broken Hallelujah
F Am F C G C G
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelu-u-jah
[Verse 4]
C Am
I did my best, it wasn't much
C Am
I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch
F G C G
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool ya
C F G
And even though it all went wrong
Am F
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
G E7 Am
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah
[Outro]
F Am F C G
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
F Am F C G
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
F Am F C G
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
F Am F C G C
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah