Tim Minchin - Hallelujah

This is from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2005 at the Wine Bar in the Gilded Balloon on the final night of the fringe. Highlight of my trip. Geradline Quinn sings this duet with Tim.

[@debbiefrances1262]

He sang this in Edinburgh last night, I was in tears. No one sings it better

[@averysimplesecret]

Amazing! Tim and Edinburgh will forever have my heart for this moment

[@halfhearted2799]

I was there, too. It was incredible. Have returned to this video many times since Friday night 😊

[@debbiefrances1262]

@@halfhearted2799 it was lovely the way he sang it in the dark. I wish he would release a cover of this song.

[@Alchemist37]

Sung it in Melbourne last night, incredible.

[@colinmcguire9264]

I was the sound guy. The Wine Bar was my venue. That was literally the last thing played. Absolutely fantastic it was. There"s a band on the stage that you can't see. Fab guys but the name escapes me at the moment. Some guy on his phone or camera but from a sound point of view, pretty chuffed with the sound :) It really was pretty special & I'm glad I was there.

[@averysimplesecret]

I filmed it, beyond lucky I had my camera out before they started to play. I was there with my company performing in the main hall at the Gilded Baloon Teviot. Thank you for running sound, this performance was the highlight of my Fringe.

[@Erebus_the_Raven]

The guitarist looks like Cam from the Gadflies.

[@askaliu2943]

i think one of the greatest thing of owning a venue, is not the profit, nor the connection you get from known ppl, but to witness musical/artistic moments like this, that will most likely get wash away and lost from people's memory, or that most people didn't even know existed, but it happened at your venue, and you gets to be there, at that very moment when it happened.... and thanks for Sean we get to share this wonderful moment and a truly wonderful version of this historical song, i am truly greatful PS: who is that lady? her voice is just..... wow

[@janetamcleod]

@@askaliu2943 That is the amazing and hilarious Geraldine Quinn. Check out some of her original songs. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j2HVZYVjl9SYq80

[@janetamcleod]

@@Erebus_the_Raven Close, it's Mick from the Gadflys.

[@sgtmd1]

"You're f**king kidding me!" Understatement of the century! Unbelievable cover. There must be something Tim can't do.....

[@redfog42]

Nah! 😁

[@MichaelLasotaWheresWaldo]

Cure aids? Or the cataracts of Sam's mom.

[@pamlister452]

Nope

[@bronwynarmstrong118]

Absolutely brilliant ! 💖

[@jitterstheclown]

There's nothing he can't do

[@starbolin]

That's real music there. That's how it's supposed to be done - late at night in a club - a couple of brews - freinds and enemies together just wailing out stories. That's not raw, that's primal.

[@amandacarrara9194]

primal, I've been looking for that word to describe this clip for ages! Thank you!

[@askaliu2943]

that is probably the most beautiful possible way to use the word "primal", and it's so fitting.

[@CrazedToaster]

"I love you..." "Shush now" God I love Tim, he's brilliant

[@RyanorAdam]

Had to revisit this after seeing Tim play it at the last of his Unfunny gigs in Edinburgh. Wow. Lights off (cause he likes doing it in the dark) gave all the feels. When the audience joined and the piano stoped, just Tim and 800 folk singing Hallelujah in a old church the roof lifted and hearts soared. Blissful ❤

[@jacqf3583]

Just did the same in Sydney last night ❤

[@The99shan99]

The world is a better place because of Tim. This clip brings pure joy, thanks for posting.

[@Alexander-qz6px]

yuck

[@kseniaverlaine]

It’s been years, still watching this performance and it leaves me shook

[@nevyn_karres]

It really is worth coming back to every now and then, just to smile and feel warm inside *hugs*

[@empathy212]

I always find myself coming back to this video when I'm in the mood for this song!

[@76spinoza]

Been coming back for a decade. Wish there was a better recording, but there will never be a better performance.

[@poconut10]

I keep coming back to this video. Despite not being a quality recording, the annoying crowd comments, and the applause drowning out the music in places, I still like this version of the song the best. It's so passionate; also I have a soft spot for duets.

[@amandacarrara9194]

this was just at the point that Tim was preparing for take off. On the launch pad - glad someone caught this - less than perfect sound/audio makes it just perfect!

[@averysimplesecret]

Couldn't have been happier to have caught this amazing moment on tape, crap quality. aside ;) Tim is a legend!

[@catherineharrington8730]

Hallelujah for that turning up in my feed. That has to be my favourite rendition ever of one of my favourite songs. Sheer magic !

[@LabNYorkie]

I saw Tim perform this at the end of his set at Town Hall in NYC. It was beautiful. Seeing him was the only birthday present I asked for and remains the best of my life.

[@triangularmerkel]

"i love you" "shush now" haha

[@meganmclerran4333]

Holy fuck everybody and his mother has covered this song but there has never been a version like this :o :o :o

[@xXxSyncastxXx]

I still revisit this one at least once every few months, still my favourite version of this song

[@nthe7873]

The Sheer Joy of Art and Intellect without Compromising Integrity - so rare and so sweet - Minchin delivers. For those of us lost among our fellow violent ignorant ape decedents with our compassion and creativity gasping for what rarefied air remains there are far too few like Tim to help us along the way. As we mark off the final generations/years of our species and try as best we can to grab what joy remains may humor and the spark such artists provide .... well, you get the point.

[@ebetpittman]

No better way to remember Leonard Cohen tonight. Great cover. Amazing

[@akbar41]

I've watched so many to Tim's performances, but this is the first time I noticed he actually has a beautiful voice.

[@nict079]

Stunning ❤😢 would love to hear more of Geraldine

[@nevyn_karres]

This has to be one of the best secret vids on youtube :)

[@TheYuleTube]

I'm not religeous, and I still like pretty much every version of this song I've ever heard. And I like pretty much everything by Tim Minchin I've ever heard. Works for me.

[@empathy212]

Just back here again 12/24/22 to listen to this version for the umpteenth time!!! My favorite version of all time. Just listened to White Wine in The Sun for Christmas! It's our household favorite Christmas song!

[@averysimplesecret]

Same! I love sharing this with friends and White Wine is my go to Christmas and cry fest song :)

[@Zeuseus6609]

My choir has a yearly gig at the local hospital right before christmas and we always do white wine in the sun as part of our set there. We've definitely caused a few wet-eye moments in the audience because it's just such a lovely message. As for this song, I love Hallelujah, love Leonard Cohen's original versions but have to agree with some of the comments here that this duet is one of the more primal versions I've heard and it adds such an interesting emotional element to the song

[@cyclonealan5344]

best version ever!

[@richardkranium2944]

Agreed.

[@debbiefrances1262]

Petition for him to release a recording. I'd listen to it every day

[@user-mj9ul5kf8e]

it`s been 5 years and it`s still my favorite cover of all time. Uncommplished, unperfect, not ideal but drastically poetic and alive, if there is an art and poetry this is it, drunk, not in tune but who cares. 2023 nothing changed

[@davidkern2346]

Love Tim. Never heard of Geraldine Quinn. I have heard a lot of people sing it, but this is a new and original interpretation of a beautiful modern hymn. Cohen, Shrek Buckley (really y'all?), the truly marvelous K.D. Lang, even my perfect angel Brandi Carlile, never brought me the deep down blues roots Geri brings here. Listen again. Don't miss her laying all the way back in a totally new groove. Somehow, this alcohol-infused bar-room episode redefines the song. Again.

[@janetamcleod]

David Kern Quinny is a gem of the Melbourne comedy industry. Total rock chick. I love this clip - musical mates having a great old (definitely tipsy) time together in an off-the-cuff performance. This is what makes festivals like Edinburgh Fringe, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Adelaide Fringe, etc such a great experience - this sort of thing happens all the darned time at tiny little gigs. Take a punt and you can see the most amazing things. Good to see Mick Moriarty copping a kiss at the end.

[@davidkern2346]

Thanks Miss Janet. Would love to visit. So nice to see comedy and musical talent and occasional brilliance from down under and all over.

[@janetamcleod]

David Kern We will welcome you with open arms. :)

[@BibleStorm]

I was going to "correct" you and tell you that Rufus Wainwright's version is in Shrek but apparently it's some dude called John Cale who I have never heard of.

[@petanichol]

Honestly this is my favourite version of this song!!! I could listen to it on loop for forever!!!

[@lesgawne1429]

Does not get any better than this

[@jaffatanski]

Saw him in Edinburgh last night, small crowd of 900, many joined in with the chorus, was bliss, sadly he wouldn't let mobiles record, a beautiful thing was missed

[@averysimplesecret]

Ugh, that’s glorious that y’all were able to have that moment!

[@lenaccarlsson]

What a cover! Tim's voice and precense is mindblowing to me.

[@spanky1113]

I'd love to hear a version with just Tim in it. His voice is perfect for this.

[@Cocotte123321]

I think the fact that both of them are pissed out of their heads makes this performance so much better since they both appear to be really enjoying it

[@landerh]

I love the guy groaning and saying, "You've got to be kidding me." Great song!

[@ryanbair4825]

I just want to thank whomever posted this... I was in 12th Night at the Gilded Balloon, and was in attendance for this performance (I can kinda hear my obnoxious laughter a time or two, even...) and it just brings back some of the fondest memories of all :) it was one of the very final nights of the festival (if not THE last) and means a lot to me to see

[@stephaniewilson3381]

Same.

[@iluvmuse]

Definitely agree - it's SO raw. Kinda rare to see, a lot of versions tend to be pretty overproduced etc. Awesome version!

[@juliearnold5412]

OOH TO HAVE BEEN THERE WHO CARES IF THE SOUND IS NOT PERFECT IT IS THE AMBIANCE THAT GRABS YOU TNKS JAY

[@richardbernard6991]

How have I never heard this recording before?? Wow! ...Just 😲 wow

[@trante3]

Every once in a while I come back to this amazing video to get my dose of goosebumps. I don't know if you had the pleasure of filming this, skeye6, but I thank you so much for uploading this video !!!

[@saumpaulinaaaaaaa]

How long you don’t come here?

[@thepeppercreed4677]

@@saumpaulinaaaaaaa hopefully not much

[@Chadillac-xq7xk]

Same. I come back all the time. I'd be devastated if this video went down some day.

[@jackmack1061]

Wonderful song sung wonderfully and performed the joy of music which is my spirituality. And now to go and find out more about Geraldine Quinn... what pipes!

[@carrotaddiction]

+jack mack Do it. She is amazing.

[@wanderingengland]

From an American who was at the Norwich concert... OMG... I had goosebumps from his rendition of this song. Tim is one amazing talent.

[@RebelsAreWe]

The guy at 1:02 says it all. "Oh, you're fuckin kidding me." This is just absolutely amazing. God-like vocals from an atheist. Beautiful, Tim. Just beautiful.

[@kkonstantinosss2]

This is the most beautiful duet I have heard in my life.

[@devymetalforlife]

Wow.. Just wow. I knew he was a brilliant singer but damn that was great, she is pretty good too. And their voices do constrast quite well.

[@xuevictor6390]

Just heard this in Melbourne with lights out and a beautiful chorus from the audience. It’s a sentimental moment for everyone with everything considered.

[@Crueak]

She is amazing...

[@TheSmack2007]

I love Tim! Perfect! :) This song shows off his amazing voice!

[@UkeStew]

Holy shit! This man has much better pipes than I realized!

[@alanheyes694]

UkeStew That high note was tasty.

[@tamarapetrov4990]

A meeting of two grand gods of music.... and what a stunning goddess voice to accompany them! Never heard better since Leonard himself. Thanks for all the music Tim, you make this world better!

[@vlovesyou]

I had the privilege of seeing Tim do this song solo during an encore at his June 2011 Portland, Oregon show. If you ever, ever, ever have the opportunity to see Tim live, do. He's phenomenal, and he will leave you with goosebumps with his mere presence.

[@5Ducklings]

Tim Minchin is the perfect person to sing this song. I always find it soooo funny when Christians try to co-opt this as a religious song just because it has the words "Lord" and "Hallelujah." LOL

[@sazbear3913]

It's not a religious song (obviously) but it has a spiritual feeling about it. Absolutely magical song tbh

[@artwdog]

Holy crap! Amazing.

[@rushee123]

Lol, Tim Minchin is the funniest man alive. He rocks!!

[@fuldagermany]

I knew that Tim could truly sing ballads and such and not just hot topics and songs to waken people up to certain matters. He did a lovely job on this song. Interesting chap.

[@Freshette]

Wow. I love how passionate this is... not what I expected at all.

[@richardkranium2944]

Best version of this song in my opinion.

[@macaronisalad4268]

your version is pretty cool too.

[@stoupa84]

This is absofuckinlutely best version of this song!!! An i heard dozents! And its not only about Tim, she is great to!

[@DannyxSteel]

Absolutely amazing!

[@Noir4Moon]

This sends shivers up my spine, it's beautiful, imagine if they recorded it for real...

[@jeremybr2020]

Not sure what the problem was with the guy at the beginning of the song when he says "..you got to be f***ing kidding me?" Perhaps he doesn't like the song? Or he doesnt think Tim is the right person to be singing it? Whatever the reason may be, by the end of the song, him and everyone else was loving it! Tim was freaking bad ass. He nailed it.

[@averysimplesecret]

***** Yep, that was my friend from London and he was happily surprised that was Tim's song choice.

[@averysimplesecret]

degree-away! i'm just happy to share the performance!

[@jeremybr2020]

Langdon Yes I understand that, and thats kind of my point. WHY were they shocked though? Thats why I listed those possibilities in my initial post, as potential answers to WHY.

[@tehstormie]

+jeremybr2020 Because it would be like getting home from vacation and finding out you had Einstein's suitcase, walking into the grocery store and being given a dirigible

[@whatsonchannelB]

Honestly, I think it is because it is such a classic song and the guy is really excited to hear Tim play it, especially given the unexpected nature of it.

[@uriangatobataclan]

This is what a jam is about, right? Great stuff, good times...

[@MMoloney86]

This song makes me cry literally every time I hear it.

[@lucyii]

Thank you so much for uploading this. I know it's been years since. but I dream of meeting Tim one day.... this just makes me happy to know he is out there and exists being... well. insanely beautiful. Thanks again :)

[@gwho]

i love her voice

[@brendaG73]

I could listen to this for HOURS

[@NickyLess]

Adore this version so much

[@dispassionateobserver2862]

About the only performer covering this song who actually gets that it's not about g-d but love and sex...

[@egormoryganov]

Try Jeff Buckley

[@synchronyJEM]

4:20 Tim goes to Eddie Vedder mode

[@angeliiine]

I love this I love this I love this I love this I love this so so so so so fucking much. This is my favorite version of Hallelujah. I love how into it they both get. Gah! It's great.

[@RichardTingley]

This is just such a beautiful song. Gets me everytime.

[@95waga]

Tim looks wasted of his ass!! Which just give the song so much more personality. Love this bloke :)

[@AnonEyeMouse]

It's at the fringe, so I imagine an ale or two or a drop of wine may have passed his lips

[@slightlokii3191]

I know right he's so pissed xD

[@benjaminodonnell258]

Amazing performance - it would have been a privilege to be there. But am I the only one who thinks that Geri Quinn has the serious drunken hots for Tim here?

[@greysonaskew3903]

To be honest, who doesn't? He's amazing, this song suits him perfectly.

[@D-Vinko]

Megan Askew Y'know... other than the atheism.

[@cheryldymond]

***** hallelujah is not reserved for 'believers'.

[@cheryldymond]

***** and the lyric is 'MAYBE there's a god above'

[@AddictedtoTazers]

***** Minor details

[@mephiston2k]

Brilliant loved it!

[@empathy212]

This gets me every time! I love this version!

[@TheSnommel]

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 in 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, Hallelujah Hallelujah, 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 when you let me know What's really 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 Maybe there’s a God above But all I’ve ever learned from love Was how to shoot at someone who outdrew you It’s not a cry you can hear at night It’s not somebody who has seen the light It’s a cold and it’s a broken 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, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah

[@skyecaswell6785]

I love this version because, more than any other cover I've heard, it gets the sexual part of the song. This is NOT much about religion.

[@heathercrawford10]

KD Lang nailed it. I didn't even realize the depths of that song until I watched her sing it. Even Leonard Cohen said that the song could be laid to rest after her performance because it had been done to perfection.

[@kathyheyne8610]

It's not AT ALL about religion, inspite of the biblical references. It's about the heartbreak of falling out of love: "I've seen your flag on the Marble Arch, but love is not a victory march. It's a cold and it's a broken hallelujah." That's human pain and grief and loss.

[@AmyKayGarf]

So beautiful!

[@olenaserdyuk7323]

They are amazing!

[@ramalamadingdization]

Un - fucking - believable ... GREAT!

[@jimishawcross7409]

The only version of this song where ya get 3 standing ovations....4:20....5:17...and at the end....

[@preppysaremid9152]

Wow! Thanks for posting this

[@choms43]

Absolutely amazing duo...brilliant stuff....

[@dejffjed]

Geradline spoils it for me. Like at 5:07. She's annoyingly shouting. Minchin is great. I've just started learning of him and his wonderful shows.

[@juliearnold5412]

give him a break It is his early days HE HAS COME A LONG WAY but I still like to look at his old stuff and Geraldine Quinn is also good

[@mikael9456]

love him. Tim michicn, allaways in my hearth

[@MovBuff]

Absolutely beautiful.

[@oswaldcobblebot]

She looks like Gillian Anderson

[@Irideika]

This song has ZERO to do with belief in God.

[@TheJanah1234]

This is the best version of this song I have ever heard. It is brilliant in every way! Thanks for uploading

[@HurricaneRocker007]

This is one of my favorite covers of this song

[@-Melon-]

She is shitting annoying at the start...But she sings so well with Tim C: Love this so much ♥

[@countessbat]

She is so drunk.

[@janetamcleod]

Onya Quinny - a total legend.

[@OrangeTabbyCat]

Omni Well who cares? I can't sing like that sober or drunk.

[@janetamcleod]

OrangeTabbyCati I can sing like that drunk. In my mind.

[@OrangeTabbyCat]

Janet McLeod 😂😂😂

[@benjaminodonnell258]

And still knocks it out of the park - while trying way too hard to crack onto a married man! Legend, Quinny.

[@sfbayareagirl]

Absolutely sublime.

[@rosaliebrooker8171]

Wow just love this .

[@wideopenthrottl]

Well sung by a lifelong atheist.

[@brendanfletcher5216]

The song is definitely not a religious song, so I'm not quite sure what his atheism has to do with it.

[@wideopenthrottl]

+Brendan Fletcher It questions the existence of a god and the phrase literally means "god be praised." An atheist singing this would just be humoring their audience since his mind is already made up.

[@brendanfletcher5216]

wideopenthrottl The Phrase is being used, alongside the other religious biblical references, to decry the nature of loving a woman. Just because the language is liturgical does not mean the song is, in the same way that my wife isn't praying to God when we go to bed at night

[@EllisiumVP]

and when she tries to act off, ypu can see she's tricking

[@Evain304]

I love this so much....❤️

[@natfatbatable]

Just love this...great muso's just havin a half cut jam, really relaxed and really enjoying the moment. GOLD

[@JofusSunshyne]

She is really annoying, & I love how he shoots her down with "shush now" lmao

[@chellec0907]

Wow! Fantastic song, fantastic version!

[@SarahKaoruJames]

Amazing ... Tim is such a brilliant singer

[@sabrina206]

omg he is brilliant. I love him so much!