A tribute to Leonard and his crown prince Jason

Those of you who know me well are most likely familiar with my passion for Leonard Cohen. His music and lyrics has for many years been very important to me; spiritually and intimately connected to different situations, relations, experiences and phases of my life. I´m usually very critical and not at all forgiving of other artists trying to make covers of Cohen´s songs, as they - according to me - never ever can make it into the same league as him. Nothing good has come out of those lame cover versions, with the one and only exception of Jeff Buckley´s beautiful cover of "Hallelujah". Until now, that is; this very evening when I was watching - hold on now - American Idol!?!?!!! Because there, suddenly, this young guy named Jason Castro, enters the stage and without a warning makes the most beautiful cover of "Hallelujah" that I´ve ever heard. His version was so beautiful and touching that it moved me into tears, and now I just can´t stop listening to it. And I just HAVE to share it with you!!! Because something as beautiful as this just has to be shared. So here you go, ladies and gentlemen - I give you Jason Castro´s blessed version of Hallelujah;

And, inspired by the moment, I just feel that I´d like to share Cohen´s beautiful lyrics with you as well;

HALLELUJAH
Now I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you
To a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

Baby I have been here before
I know this room, I've walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew you.
I've seen your flag on the marble arch
Love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

There was a time you let me know
What's real and going on below
But now you never show it to me, do you?
And remember when I moved in you
The holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

You say I took the name in vain
I don't even know the name
But if I did, well really, what's it to you?
There's a blaze of light
In every word
It doesn't matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

I did my best, it wasn't much
I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you
And even though
It all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah