How to play Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen on the ukulele. This is an easy fingerstyle accompaniment arrangement with chords and lyrics. The fingerstyle pattern I used is explained at the conclusion of the song. Although the fingerpicking pattern is easy, it might take a while to get used to playing it and singing at the same time. The tutorial starts at 3:25 on the video.

By the way, I have a number of other songs in 6/8 time that can be played using this fingerstyle pattern. Here’s a link to them:

https://ezfolk.com/category/6-8-time

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Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah is one of the most influential and widely covered songs in modern music history. Released in 1984 on his album Various Positions, the song initially received little recognition. Cohen reportedly wrote around 80 verses before selecting the final version, blending biblical imagery with themes of love, loss, and redemption.

The song gained new life when John Cale recorded a stripped-down version in 1991 for a tribute album, I’m Your Fan. Cale’s rendition caught the attention of Jeff Buckley, whose haunting and emotive 1994 cover on Grace became the most celebrated version, introducing the song to a global audience.

Since then, Hallelujah has been covered by hundreds of artists, including Rufus Wainwright, k.d. lang, and Pentatonix, each adding their own interpretation. It has been featured in films, TV shows, and major events, cementing its place as a cultural and musical landmark. Today, Hallelujah is recognized as one of Cohen’s greatest compositions, a song of deep spiritual and emotional resonance.