A special-needs school Hallelujah goes viral

A special-needs school Hallelujah goes viral

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norman lebrecht

December 21, 2016

Meet Kayleigh Rogers. She is ten years old, has autism and ADHD. Kayleigh attends Killard House School in Donaghadee, Northern Ireland.

The Christmas version that she sings of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah is being watched the world over after both BBC and ITV featured it on their news shows. Calls are pouring in to her little town, offering comfort and joy.

Just watch and wonder.

Comments

  • Robin Bermanseder says:

    Beautiful on many levels.

    • Judith says:

      It’s always amazing when a troubled, or challenged, child has a gift that reaches us. It proves that the power of the heart is worth more than anything else.

  • daveferre says:

    “I’ve heard about this baby boy who’s come to earth to bring us joy, and I just want to sing this song to you. It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth, the minor fall, the major lift. With every breath, I’m singing ‘Hallelujah. Hallelujah…’

    A couple came to Bethlehem. Expecting child, they searched the inn to find a place, for You were coming soon. There was no room for them to stay, so in a manger filled with hay, God’s only Son was born, ‘Oh Hallelujah. Hallelujah…’

    The shepherds left their flocks by night to see this baby wrapped in light. A host of angels led them all to You. It was just as the angels said. You’ll find Him in a manger bed, Immanuel and Savior, ‘Hallelujah. Hallelujah…’

    A star shown bright up in the East. To Bethlehem, the wise men three came many miles and journeyed long for You. And to the place at which You were, their frankincense and gold and myrrh, they gave to You and cried out ‘Hallelujah. Hallelujah…’

    I know You came to rescue me. This baby boy would grow to be a man and one day die for me and you. My sins would drive the nails in You. That rugged cross was my cross, too. Still every breath you drew was ‘Hallelujah. Hallelujah…'”

  • V.Lind says:

    That, unlike Ms. Evancho, is the sound of a pure little singer of ten who is not aping things she has heard on You Tube or records or the radio but raising her natural voice in song for the joy of it.

    It is very moving to see and hear this lovely seasonal version by Kayleigh and her schoolmates. Not surprising it captured the interest of Auntie and the drunken uncle, but let’s hope it does not lead to invitations to Britain’s Got Talent or The X Factor. Let the kids and their families savour their little bit of attention as a reward for all their effort and a tribute to their shining performance without having to turn them into another Evancho.

  • Aziz Rasul says:

    The little boy did not die, let’s at least get that right.

  • Rich Patina says:

    Damned onions…

  • eileen apple says:

    Beautiful!

  • Elaine Hazeldine says:

    Wonderful..So Pure

  • Esther Potts says:

    I think you are just brilliant I really hope we hear you more

  • laurie says:

    Thank you Norman. Watching this makes so much that is ugly and painful just fall away. The power of music.

  • Bob from Western Hills says:

    No matter that tears blur the image; it’s an audio treat.

  • Bigfan says:

    Simply beautiful. Grown man in tears.

  • Terry Hammersley says:

    My wife said who is that little girl lets adopt her, She is just beautiful she makes me cry in loving her

  • Ed Jesella says:

    I have had a very rough few years….but this child has brought a smile to my face and tears to my eyes…she and her classmates are a joy to behold this Christmas Season

  • joan lenahan says:

    hi from joan in dublin city – i am humbled listening to the voice of a little angel – and her choir – i too cried – i hope she is not exploited by a tv talent show – is there any way it will be brought to cd tku to kaleigh and all the choir

  • Nigel Card says:

    Kaylee, parents, teachers and all concerned should be very proud. An absolute delight and very moving.

  • Ant (= Antony) Allen says:

    Beautiful voice, sung from the heart, I think. Don’t spoil her by trying to teach her to sing any other way, I hope we may hear more from her, perhaps her own compositions in due time.

  • Dan Goettsche says:

    She is amazing.

    I find it difficult to believe the sound quality though if this were recorded at a live school performance. I am open to learning how this was accomplished.

  • Rob Walker NZ says:

    Just wonderful , yes tears come but they are ones of joy

  • Kim says:

    This is the most beautiful thing I’ve heard in a long time. I have been watching this all morning and tear up each and every time. Just beautiful

  • Deb says:

    The child is amazing but think of this music teacher who was able to have differently abled kids all do this TOGETHER. He is a true miracle worker.

  • Randall says:

    Simply astounding. Tears and joy. God bless this school and faculty. Im in the USA and sharing this incredible gift of a video.

  • Susie Glick says:

    Oh, what a beautiful , beautiful child of God!! I have been listening to Kayleigh sing repeatedly for days!! Such a blessed child indeed!!

  • Terry Taz says:

    Can’t stop the tears of joy and inspiration from this beautiful performance. First listened this morn,and had felt ho hum as this Christmas passed…until hearing this beautiful gift. Thank you Kaylee,and to all who made it possible…All glory be to God.

  • Benjamin Baird says:

    This little girl has truly made me reevaluate my own spirituality and closeness to God…she makes me strive to be a truer Christian…

  • frans says:

    since the first time i heard this little girl sing, i started believing that angels go exist.
    i will listen to her singing every day before i go to sleep
    thank you

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