John Cale's version of the song was used in Shrek Watch the version that was used on Shrek. The producers said at the time that they used Hallelujah after testing out dozens of other sad songs for the scene, none of which worked. But Carmarthenshire singer John Cale's version wasn't included on the soundtrack. Who sings the Hallelujah song? What is the legacy of "Hallelujah"? Hallelujah" is considered a classic in music history and stands as one of Leonard Cohen's defining works. Its universal appeal and profound lyrics continue to inspire and touch listeners around the world. Hallelujah! Glory, Glory! Hallelujah! Glory, Glory! Hallelujah! His soul is marching on He captured Harper's Ferry with his nineteen men so true He frightened old Virginia till she trembled Hallelujah (Live at Glastonbury) (Official Lyric Video) The Story of Thanks for the Dance . Puppets . Happens to the Heart (Official Video) The Hills . Thanks for the Dance (Official Video) Moving On . The Goal . Leaving The Table . Traveling Light (Lyric) The first recorded version of "Hallelujah" was in 1984, on Cohen's record, "Various Positions." Alan Light delved into the song's genesis and history in his book, "The Holy or the Broken: Leonard Cohen, Jeff Buckley, and the Unlikely Ascent of 'Hallelujah'" (per Rolling Stone). Light wrote that John Lissauer, producer and frequent collaborator The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and West Point Band performing "Battle Hymn of the Republic".. The "Battle Hymn of the Republic", also known as "Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory" or "Glory, Glory Hallelujah" outside of the United States, is an American patriotic song written by abolitionist writer Julia Ward Howe during the American Civil War.Howe adapted her song from the soldiers' song "John Brown Ryan Dombal, Pitchfork, notes that "…the meaning of the song changes depending on how a singer arranges these various verses-Cohen's original was released when he was 50, and it's more resigned than Jeff Buckley's comparatively lustful and dramatic cover from 1994's Grace." Cohen changed the lyrics to "Hallelujah" after its original release. Cohen changed up the verses and made the song longer and, some would argue, significantly darker than its original version from The song only became iconic two decades ago, after John Cale's version was used on the Shrek soundtrack and Buckley's version appeared in a video VH1 made in tribute to Sept. 11 rescue workers Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song is a definitive exploration of singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen as seen through the prism of his internationally renowned hymn, Hallelujah. This feature zqqK.