I know that I’m more known for funnier songs, but with recent events, it’s hard to find humour. I played with the lyrics of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ yesterday – all about trying to find joy in the midst of all this, then recorded it with my guitar this morning. Ukraine is very much in my heart at this time. This song is for all unwittingly caught in the conflict there. Also remembering the very many in Russia who want nothing to do with this, including those who are putting their own lives in danger through protesting. And not forgetting victims of war and unrest around the world today – you are not forgotten.

by Shirley Șerban

Lyrics:

Now we dream of times we had before

We all are tired, we can’t take more

And you don’t care for hollow comfort, do you?

We’re sick of this, the pandemic

Disasters, war – it’s lunatic

Too crushed to feel the joy of hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Faith isn’t hard when life is well

It’s brittle when you’re facing hell

And I can’t always be lighthearted for you

But know that I am at your side

More as a shoulder than a guide

Even though we can’t voice a hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah

With confidence all but destroyed

I fling a prayer into the void

To recreate when happiness flowed through you

But despite the news we hear tonight

And if tomorrow brings no light

I’ll hold on to the hope of hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah