How are there multiple versions to the lyrics for the song "Hallelujah?"?

Question

Leonard Cohen's version from "Various Postions" differs in all but the first verse from Jeff Buckley's later version (and all subsequent cover versions) from "Grace". Who wrote what?

Answer 1

Leonard Cohen wrote the original but many verses have been changed by the various covers... I love Jeff Buckley's cover the best.

"With each different musical interpretation of Cohen's song, it is interesting to note how the lyrics have changed and evolved. However, although individual words do change between various versions, most of the variation may be more due to selection than actual change. In a 2001 interview with The Observer, John Cale said:

After I saw [Cohen] perform at the Beacon I asked if I could have the lyrics to "Hallelujah". When I got home one night there were fax paper rolls everywhere because Leonard had insisted on supplying all 15 verses. "
When Cohen recorded the song in 1984 and 1988, he probably made different selections from these verses. As for the latter version, it is not the first time he has performed song verses live that are not on any studio album.

Answer 2

Okay, which Hallelujah. There are multiple versions by various composers.

Handel - Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah
Beethoven - Hallelujah Chorus from Christ on the Mount of Olives
Mozart - Alleluia from Exultate Jubilate
Thompson - Alleluia

Just to name a few.

Answer 3

i'm honestly not sure. i always assumed they were the same, and unless i'm remembering wrong, i think i heard leonard cohen doing hallelujah on the radio with lyrics similar, if not identical to buckley's version. that said, i'm not sure why that wouldn't be on the album.