Homeless Man Strums 'Hallelujah' But As Partner Opens Mouth Passerby's Stop In Their Tracks

Jan 16, 2021 by apost team

When we think of hearing a stunning music rendition, we usually picture watching a television show like “The Voice” or going to see a concert. Rarely do we envision hearing a great performance on the street corner; however, that is exactly what is happening in one town where a man has moved people with his awesome singing abilities.

Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” has been widely-performed on both live stages and online. If you are on social media a lot, you would have probably stumbled upon at least one performance of the song online. But singing is about more than just having a beautiful voice. Singing involves being soulful as it translates our experiences into music. These experiences connect the singer to the song, bringing the lyrics and melody to life, and Herbie Russ did just that with “Hallelujah”.

Leonard Cohen was hugely influential in his time. His songs explored a wide range of themes: from love and relationships to death and loss to depression and even politics. While today we know Hallelujah to be his most famous song, it took quite some time to catch on and eclipse his other hits. The reason for the late-blooming success of Hallelujah can be attributed to "Shrek," a lovable green ogre who first graced the big screen in 2001.

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On the Shrek soundtrack, "Hallelujah" is performed by John Cale, according to IMDB. It plays during a scene in the movie in which Shrek and Fiona have just had an argument that ended badly and Fiona is now about to marry Lord Farquaad, whom she does not love. The producers most likely chose the song because it perfectly encapsulates the poignant nature of the scene.

According to Rolling Stone, Leonard Cohen’s "Hallelujah" is about the many irreconcilable conflicts which continuously conspire to tear the world apart. Despite this, Cohen believes that there are moments when we are able to simply “reconcile and embrace the whole mess." It is in these moments that we arrive at the "Hallelujah" to which the song’s title refers. The song explains that "all kinds of hallelujahs do exist, and all the perfect and broken hallelujah have equal value."

There have been many covers done of this song, both on TV and online, with stacker.com reporting that it is one of the most-covered songs of all time. But nobody has covered the song the way this elderly man has.

Back in 2018, with long white hair dressed in a grungy looking button-up shirt and gray pants drew, Herbie Russ drew crowds toward him to listen to his on-street singing. Sometimes he sings a capella, while other times he has a guitarist at his side. Unlike many people experiencing homelessness who perform in an effort to gain money for themselves, this performer accepts donations but uses the money in an extraordinary way!

Rather than spend it on his own needs, he uses the funds to help others. Who exactly is this singer who is changing the world around him? Russ is actually a singer, songwriter, and saxophonist who has devoted his life to his work, going so far as to work in popular commercials for major brands.

Despite his great success, Russ had a rough start to his life. According to his biography on his official website, he found himself experiencing homelessness when still in the 11th grade after being kicked out of his house. Russ had to resort to sleeping on the couches of friends and taking gigs to earn extra money.

While Russ’ life has improved, he will never forget where he started. Russ reports that he turned to God for some direction in his life and he was given the desire to reach out to the homeless and has been doing that ever since.

“When I was at my lowest I started reading the Bible and remembered going to church, and the songs like ‘Jesus Loves Me,’ John 3:16,” Russ says on his website. “Those things came back. It just opened up my eyes and I said, ‘God, you gave me this gift of music and I want to use it for you, I want to do something good out there.’”

While homeless shelters refused to let him perform for their residents, he did not give up – now, he plays on the street corners to earn money that he can share with shelters and the less fortunate.

Russ’ voice truly is amazing. He performs while walking the streets, sifting through garbage, and sitting under trees. His voice not only provides entertainment for others, but it develops awareness of those who are homeless.

His popularity rose after he appeared on “America’s Got Talent”. And although he did not progress very far in the competition, Russ is still being given the opportunity to perform all around the US. He says that he does not take anything for granted because he remembers what it was like to feel lost and hopeless.

“When I didn’t think about myself and I thought about others the joy of the Lord came back and the joy of playing music came back,” he says on his website. “It didn’t matter if there were two people out there or 50 people out there. I had a smile on my face. I stay thankful and play music for folks. That is the joy, and that’s the joy that still keeps me going.”

His rendition of this Leonard Cohen hit is unique. He sings the first verse of the song in a sort of jazz way, adding his own rhythm and style to it. Russ has a naturally rocker-sounding voice, and it makes the song so much more upbeat and hip. Netizens have really taken to Russ’ talent, with many saying that they were moved to tears just listening to Russ. “Herbie Russ has experienced the tumults of life. He's dwelled both at the bottom and at the top,” one fan wrote. “He’s been the recipient of both fortune and misfortune. But that has not stopped Herbie from expressing the love he feels for his fellow humankind.”

What do you think of Herbie's amazing talent? Let us know in the comments - and make sure you pass this along to your friends and family!