Sometimes you hear a new rendition of an older, but still hugely popular song that gives you a case of the shiveries — in a good way — all down your spine. You know, the kind of performance that causes goosebumps to pop up all over your arms? That’s exactly what will happen when you check out the cover two sisters from Canada did of the song “Hallelujah” by singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen. However, the two girls, who hail from Fort Frances, Ontario, made some alterations to the verses in order to make them tell of Jesus’ death and resurrection. In other words they improved upon an already great song to make it even more epic and timeless.
The song was posted as a video on YouTube by Cassandra Star and Callahan Armstrong, while the new version of the song was written by Kelley Mooney. Mooney rewrote parts of the song when her church asked her to sing “Hallelujah” for the congregation on Easter Sunday.
Here’s more information via FaithIt:
In preparing to sing, Mooney, reviewed the lyrics and noticed that Leonard Cohen’s version didn’t tell the story of Easter; so she created new lyrics that she felt would not only tell what Jesus did through His sacrifice on Good Friday, but glorify His name and power that He showed when He was resurrected on Sunday.
Watch the sisters sing this Easter Hallelujah on YouTube:
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The lyrics of the song recall the events that transpired on Good Friday, when Jesus willingly suffered a horrific beating and scourging before being crucified, an act of sacrifice to pay the debt of sin all people around the world owe to a holy God:
“A crown of thorns placed on His head,
He knew that He would soon be dead.
He said, “Did you forget me, Father, did you?”
They nail Him to a wooden cross,
Soon all the world would feel the loss,
Of Christ the King before His Hallelujah.”
According to the YouTube post, sisters Cassandra Star and Callahan Armstrong were recorded in this duet by their grandmother, who wasn’t able to be with them on Easter during the pandemic. On the post, the girls wrote that the Easter Hallelujah is her favorite song. There are several iterations of this video on YouTube, each with hundreds of thousands of views—and for good reason. The girls dedicated their performance to their grandma, saying she “needs extra love and prayers right now.”
The verses in the song continue:
“He hung His head and prepared to die,
Then lifted His face up to the sky.
Said ‘I am coming home now, Father, to you.’
A reed which held His final sip,
Was gently lifted to His lips.
He drank His last and gave His soul to glory.”
The original version of the song, written and recorded by Leonard Cohen, focuses more on some of the events that unfold in the Old Testament, which includes King David’s sin with Bathsheba, Delilah cutting Samson’s hair, and many others. However, it does not focus at all on Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for mankind.
You can hear the original below:
The new version by Mooney takes us along the journey Jesus made to Golgotha where He gave His life as a ransom for many:
The soldier who had used his sword,
To pierce the body of our Lord.
Said, ‘Truly this was Jesus Christ, our Savior.”
He looked with fear upon his sword.
Then turn to face His Christ and Lord.
Fell to his knees, crying ‘Hallelujah.’”
The Easter Hallelujah goes on to tell how Jesus’ body was taken down from the cross and wrapped in linen cloth. It tells of how Jesus was laid in the tomb and three days passed. The two sisters’ singing voices and faces gain excitement as they begin to sing how the women brought spices to care for Jesus’ body and they found the empty tomb.
The whole world was forever changed by the events that took place between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. So impactful was this event, we even measure time by it. The calendar is based on the life of Christ. He is our risen Savior, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Alpha and the Omega. Without Him, there is no hope for salvation.
Not only should we celebrate His resurrection on Easter, but every Sunday of the year!