When I first came across the cool vid below that strings together two full minutes of David’s “hallelujahs,” I almost did cry out “Hallelujah!” Love that someone took the time to do that.
And right after I saw it, I heard a very interesting documentary on CBC radio about the history of the word. So when it was replayed on the radio this weekend, I couldn’t resist sharing it with you all.
I’ve always loved how David sings The First Noël (especially this one), and would love to hear the story someday of how he came to add “Hallelujah” to the lyrics … so powerful.
It’s an ancient word, one that Jesus of Nazareth himself would’ve sung way back in the day. It transcends the ages and dialects around the world.
According to the documentary, Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus repeats the word over 200 times … “you just want to salute the eternal source of love because this is such a stirring moment” … a word that transforms “imperfect humans as instruments of grace.”
Here’s the beginning of the radio doc:
Everybody’s talking Hallelujah. Yes, the book and music worlds are all atwitter about The Holy or The Broken, Alan Light’s new history of the Leonard Cohen song, Hallelujah.
The word, of course, has a much bigger story.
Next time you holler “Hallelujah!” because you lost weight or nabbed the last cab in a snowstorm, you’ll be shouting out a word that echoed in the hills of ancient Israel. After almost 3,000 years, “Hallelujah” is still a great way to express joy and exuberance. And at Christmas, the word is enthroned in all its glory in Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus.
“Hallelujah” first made its appearance in the Book of Psalms in the Old Testament – a combination of two Hebrew words: “hallel”, meaning praise, and “yah” meaning God.
But it’s in Christianity that “hallelujah” – or the Latinized “alleluia” – became best known as a word of great emotional energy.
This morning, a look at the strength and mystery of this wonderful word … equally powerful at times of happiness and pain. “Hallelujah” links us to generations past who faced hard times, but had faith that light would eventually conquer darkness. Knowing this, what else can we shout?
Listen to the full podcast HERE.
And here’s a video of a house in northeast France with an LED Snowman that sings David’s First Noël! 😆 😆 😆
P.S.
This tweet made my New Year’s very Happy! 🙂 🙂 🙂
@danielammz I would say 99.999999% you will see that!
— Kari Sellards (@kariontour) December 31, 2012
P.P.S.
And this one even happier!!!!! Happy Happy New Year, everyone!!!
A big THANK YOU from David for all the Holiday/Birthday greetings & gifts he received in the packages I sent. (KS) twitter.com/DavidArchie/st…
— David Archuleta (@DavidArchie) December 31, 2012
SnowAngelz: Canadian fans of David Archuleta 
TOfan – Thank you so much for posting this! I too love the way David sings The First Noel – it is so amazingly beautiful and unique! Every word, especially in his Christmas music, has special meaning to him. He thinks out every verse. By the way, I have made it a Christmas tradition to listen to Handel’s Messiah on Christmas day, which of course includes the Hallelujah Chorus! Martha 🙂
Love Hallelujah David Archuleta style. Thanks for the feature Tofan and Happy New Year 🙂
99.999 % chance of a tour 2014 Woo Hoo!
I also love the “The First Noel” David Style! That Hallelujah is to die for! Thanks for the background info. I love Handel’s Messiah, especially when I was able to sing it with a few choirs for Christmas. It always gives such a feeling of joy and peace to hear it.
Happy New Year to everyone here at Snowangelz. And a grateful thank you to Deb and all who have written articles here. You have made this year with David gone fly. May only good things be in store for everyone in 2013!
Dropping by to greet SnowAngelzz a Happy, Happy New Year. Thank you for making 2012 a happier place for Archies WW. I hope you continue to do so.
Thank you for always putting a smile on my face SnowAngelzz.
Peace & hugs,
JR
Happy New Year Deb and fellow fans. So much goodness to enjoy. Wishing a joyous, healthy and prosperous 2013 for all.
Beautiful post TOfan!!! And a huge Hallelujah to the 99.999999 % chance of a tour !! #DA2014 will come to pass!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR to all> so glad for this site and all of you!!!
Oh man, I love the snowman’s facial expressions. Especially at around 3:25 his mouth got bigger LOL hahaha I’m sorry just sayin’. Ok I’ll stop ❤
😆 😆 😆
Happy New Year Deb and all. 🙂
Btw, that is one of my favorite songs, and my favorite line of all.
“I’ve heard there was a secret chord that David played and it pleased the lord.”
Happy New Year Deb and to all Archies everywhere! I say HALLELUJA to the prospect of a David Is Back tour. Peace, health, love to all his faithful fans.
Thanks everyone, hope you all have an amazing 2013!
… another little New Year’s gift posted last night by davidrbecken… the ENTIRE Hard Rock Denver show from Dec. 2010 (including an amazing “Hallelujah!” at 33:46… thx. Janey for tweeting me the link!) … David comes on stage about 2:05):
Great concert and reward of a Halleluiah. Loving these trips down memory lane. Happy New Year everyone 🙂
Hallelujah!!
Just want to wish everyone a Happy New Year! Thanks for the great post TOfan, love David’s First Noel so much and his Hallelujahs, gorgeous! The tweets are great to see and that special photo of David that was sent is fabulous! So good to see his smiling, radiant self! What a special treat and a great way to start of the new year.
Loved the Hard Rock Denver show video too! Thanks for posting and thanks to davidrbecken.
Hope 2013 is good to all and brings much more peace in the world. That pic of David is a beautiful a beautiful start. 🙂
Sorry, that anonymous was me, peppertara. Though am feeling a little anonymous today, having a relaxing day at home. 🙂
Love the history, thanks TOfan, and hadn’t seen either of those vids! Those hallelujahs really get ya. His The First Noel is amaaaaaazing, matter none the where or how.
The song, Hallelujah – I believe it was at the Nashville Invisible Children concert, someone in the audience shouting out a request for it. Maybe someday.
Happy 2013 to everyone here! If this year goes as quickly as the last, ’twill be 2014 in the blink of a sparkly eye.
peppertara, a relaxing day, me too….spending it with David.
Hello and a happy new year to all! There’s a new poll wherein David and Nandito Ako are finalists here’s the link:
http://www.theentertainmentlifestyle.com/2012/12/vote-now-your-newsmaker-at.html
David is a finalist in the category: Foreign Act Newsmaker Of The Year (David is leading but he will need your votes since the other finalists are Lady Gaga, J Lo, Katy Perry, Zac Efron, Maroon 5, Jonas brothers, etc.)
Nandito Ako is in the category: Pinoy TV Series Newsmaker Of The Year (we are a far no.2 here)
VOTING PERIOD will be held from January 1 to February 13 and all the WINNERS will be announced on February 14, 2013 Valentine’s Day @ 6:00PM (Philippine Time).
Winning in these polls is a good way to keep David’s name out there and to show the strength of his fanbase (“,)
thanks, Tonette!
New post/thread!
🙂