Tag: Isaacs

Finding Deeper Meaning in The Isaacs “More Than a Hollow Hallelujah”

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AMY TURNER

The Isaacs are well-respected in Southern Gospel. As Lily and her children Ben, Sonya, and Becky celebrate their 50th anniversary as a group, this Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductee continues to create music with passion. Their latest release is “More Than a Hollow Hallelujah.” The song is a thoughtful message about worship.

Sonya Isaacs Yeary shared the story behind the song. She said, “I started writing the chorus of ‘More Than a Hollow Hallelujah’ probably, I want to say, 10, 15 years ago. And I kept it in my catalog of song ideas to finish songs that were started.” The idea for this song was with her for a long time.

Sonya’s song gained new significance when The Isaacs decided to create a praise and worship record, which included mostly cover songs of well-known hymns. Sonya explained, “And when we decided to do the praise and worship record, which is mostly covers all the other songs are already famous songs, that song came back to my mind and I sent it to my family and I said I’d really love for us to finish this song together.” This collaborative effort brought “More Than a Hollow Hallelujah” to completion.

Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group Gratitude · The Isaacs Praise & Worship: More Than A Hollow Hallelujah ℗ 2024 House Of Isaacs, Exclusively licensed to Gaither Music Group, LLC

The lyrics express a desire for a more profound connection in worship. The opening lines suggest a feeling of being stuck in shallow worship: “I have been wading in shallow waters too long. My lips know the words but my heart isn’t singing the song”. This honesty sets the stage for a yearning for something deeper and more genuine.

The chorus emphasizes the need for sincere praise: “Lord, I’m ready, please forgive me. You deserve more than a hollow hallelujah. More than just empty praise. With all that I am, I am reaching out for You. I long to adore You. My heart knows the way. You are glorious, glorious, glorious”. This part of the song, which Sonya started writing many years ago, clearly conveys the central theme. She believed the song would do “a good job of summing up what the whole purpose of the record was and that is to give God our full attention, to give him the highest praise that we have”.

The lyrics continue with a commitment to deeper devotion: “The more I get lost in Your presence, the safer I feel. You are the potter and I’m not afraid of the wheel. No more inhibitions, I don’t care who’s standing around. When I shout hallelujah this time, it’s not just a sound”.

The repetition of “You deserve more than a hollow hallelujah. More than just empty praise” throughout the song reinforces its central message. The song is a reminder that true worship involves more than just saying words; it requires a sincere heart and full devotion.

Janelle Arthur & Isaacs team up for Christmas!

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SPECIAL DAYWIND RECORDS

NASHVILLE, TN (October 10, 2022) – Black Sheep recording artist, Janelle Arthur, is releasing her self-penned, new Christmas song, “One Night On Earth,” featuring award-winning artists, The Isaacs.
The song’s captivating melody and rich imagery has the feel of a traditional Christmas classic, and perfectly captures the power and beauty of the nativity. Arthur’s sweet and reverent vocals, blended with the matchless shimmering harmonies of The Isaacs, will leave the listener with chills, as well as a renewed appreciation of how the world changed all in one night.

“While in the writing room with Helene Cronin and Adam Wheeler, we were all feeling a weight of uncertainty that day,” recalls Arthur about the writing session. “We left with a song that not only reminded us of why we love to write music, but also how thankful we are for the gifts we’ve been given. We feel that this is an extremely special song and message of hope.”

The thoughtful, contemplative new ballad is out now, just in time for the upcoming Christmas season – a time when, in the midst of everyday life, we can all stand to stop and focus for a moment on that peaceful and special “One Night On Earth.”