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Shrek is wandering sadly through his swamp. Princess Fiona is about to marry a prince she does not love. As he walks, a sad tune begins to play. 

The words are mournfulA feeling of sadness about someone or something that is gone.: "Love is not some kind of victory march, no it's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah." 

Many people first heard Leonard Cohen's song Hallelujah in the 2001 film Shrek. But Cohen wrote the song many years before, in the 1980s.

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He worked for hours and hours to make the song perfect. By the time he was finished, he had 180 different versions. But when he took the song to a record companyA company that makes and sells music. , they did not like it. 

For years, Cohen was very sad. In 1994, he moved into a BuddhistSomeone who follows the teachings of Buddha, an ancient spiritual teacher from India. monasteryA place where monks live. for five years. Shortly after leaving, he heard some unlikely news. The makers of a new film called Shrek wanted to use Hallelujah. 

The film, and the song, became a huge hit. In 2012, Cohen toured the world in his 70s singing Hallelujah. For many, it was like a hymnA religious song. . 

Yes! Leonard Cohen worked hard to write the perfect song. In the end, the makers of Shrek saw his genius.

No! Today, we recognise Hallelujah as a classic song. But without some luck, few would have heard of it.