Video just released. Leonard Cohen in the 74th year of his age. (Full scene, speakers up. But that’s just me. YMMV. )

Backstory: 2008 tour — To recoup the money his ex-manager had stolen, Cohen embarked on his first world tour in 15 years. He said that being “forced to go back on the road to repair the fortunes of my family and myself … [was] a most fortunate happenstance because I was able to connect with living musicians. And I think it warmed some part of my heart that had taken on a chill.”

The tour began on May 11 in Fredericton, New Brunswick, and was extended until late 2010. The schedule of the first leg in mid-2008 encompassed Canada and Europe, including performances at The Big Chill, the Montreal Jazz Festival, and on the Pyramid Stage at the 2008 Glastonbury Festival on June 29, 2008. His performance at Glastonbury was hailed by many as the highlight of the festival,and his performance of “Hallelujah” as the sun set received a rapturous reception and a lengthy ovation from a packed Pyramid Stage field. ***

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, now 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
Hallelujah…

Now maybe, maybe there’s a God above
As for me, all I ever learned from love
Is how to shoot at someone who outdrew you
But it’s not a cry that you hear tonight
No it’s not some pilgrim who claims
to have seen the light
It’s a cold and it’s a very broken Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah…

Baby, I’ve been here before
I know this room, and I’ve walked this floor
You see, I used to live alone before I knew you
And I’ve seen your flag on the marble arch,
But listen, love is not some kind of victory march
No it’s a cold and it’s a very lonely Hallelujah
Hallelujah…

There was a time you let me know
What’s really going on below
Ah, but now you never show it to me, do you?
I remember, when I moved in you
And the holy dove, she was moving too,
Yes, and every single breath that we drew was Hallelujah
Hallelujah…
I did my best, it wasn’t much
I couldn’t feel, so I learned to touch
I’ve told the truth, I did not come all the way
to Glastonbury to fool you
And even though
It all went wrong
I’ll stand right here before the Lord of Song
With nothing, nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah
Hallelujah…

***