Hard Fought Hallelujah

Album

King of Hearts

Label

Sony Music (Formerly American Record Corporation (1929–1938) Columbia Records, USA (1938–1966) CBS Records (1966–1991) Sony Music Entertainment, Inc. (first incarnation; 1991–2004) Sony BMG Music Entertainment (2004–2008))

Genre

CCM (Contemporary Christian music)

Composer(s)

Brandon Lake;Steven Furtick;Benjamin Hastings;Chris Brown

Entered Chart

Nov 23, 2024

Peak Date

Apr 26, 2025

Released

November 8, 2024

"Hard Fought Hallelujah" is Brandon Lake's anthem for anyone who's ever staggered through life's rough patches and still managed to raise a weary hand in praise. The song is a gritty, heartfelt nod to the fact that faith is not always a smooth ride on angelic wings. Rather, it's more often a bumpy trudge through doubt, frustration, and sheer exhaustion. As Lake puts it, Faith isn't proven like gold Til it's been through the fire True praise isn't born from sunshine and cheer; it's forged in the fires of real struggle. "This song is about the battles we face, the grit throughout the fight for faith and the praise that comes after," Lake shared. "I hope it resonates deeply with everyone." And resonate it does, especially when you know that Lake has battled with his own mental health battles. Speaking in February 2024 on the General Leadership podcast, Lake recounted his experience with depression and adrenaline fatigue. He opened up about feeling disconnected from himself, with thoughts as heavy as "Should I just leave this Earth?" and "I'm miserable." These feelings, he admitted, forced him to confront his need for support, ultimately leading him to reach out to friends and a therapist. It's a theme that pours out in his lyrics: Yeah, I don't always feel it But that's when I need it the most Brandon Lake wrote the song with Roderick Simmons, Benjamin William Hastings and Steven Furtick. Hastings and Furtick also helped him write his chart-topping single "That's Who I Praise." Michah Nicholas' production incorporates a country-rock foundation infused with bluesy elements, creating a sound that is both intimate and expansive. It complements Lake's powerful yet vulnerable vocals, enhancing the emotional impact of the lyrics. "Hard Fought Hallelujah" went viral on TikTok as users connected the song to their own experiences during challenging times, sharing how their Christian faith helped them overcome personal struggles. The song became Lake's sixth #1 on Billboard's Hot Christian Songs chart. "Hard Fought Hallelujah" also became his first entry on the Hot 100 when it debuted at #51 on the chart dated November 23, 2024. Brandon Lake released a collaborative remix of "Hard Fought Hallelujah" with country and hip-hop artist Jelly Roll on February 7, 2025. Jelly Roll was deeply moved by Lake's original version, saying, "It's been years since I worshiped the way that I worshiped to that song." The remix maintains the song's core message of perseverance in faith while adding Jelly Roll's perspective and vocal styling. Given his history of blending life's challenges and faith in songs like "Halfway To Hell" and "Son Of A Sinner," Jelly Roll was a natural fit for the track. Brandon Lake wrote "Hard Fought Hallelujah" while thinking of friends and family members enduring seasons so painful that lifting their hands in praise felt nearly impossible. For Lake, worship is a weapon. "When you lift up a hallelujah in the hardest fought season, God inhabits that praise," he says. The song became a personal anthem, a reminder that even when faith feels fragile, worship has the power to shift the atmosphere.

Yeah, I don't always feel it
Yeah, but that's when I need it the most
So I'ma keep on singin'
'Til my soul catches up with my song
There's times when my hands go up freely
And times that it costs, uh uh
There's days when a praise comes out easy
Days when it takes all the strength I've got

So I'll bring my hard fought, heartfelt
Been through hell hallelujah
And I'll bring my storm tossed, torn sail
Story to tell hallelujah, ooh
'Cause God, You've been patient
God, You've been gracious
Faithful, whatever I'm feelin' or facin'
So I'll bring my hard fought, heartfelt
It is well hallelujah, whoa
Hallelujah, hallelujah

Oh, I've wrestled with the darkness
But I'm trying to reach for the light
Yeah, the struggle keeps me honest
And it breaks down the walls of my pride
'Cause faith isn't proven like gold
'Til it's been through the fire (hey, hey)
My head, heart and hands are feeling heavy
That's when I lift them just a little higher

I'll bring my hard fought, heartfelt
Been through hell hallelujah
I'll bring my storm tossed, torn sail
Story to tell hallelujah, whoa
God, You've been patient
God, You've been gracious
Faithful, whatever I'm feeling or facing
I'll bring my hard fought, heartfelt
It is well hallelujah, ooh
Hallelujah, hallelujah, ooh

Hallelujah
Lord, I need You
More than I needed anything in my life
Lord, won't you free me?
It ain't been easy
Break all these chains, Lord

I'll bring my hard fought, heartfelt
Been through hell hallelujah (hallelujah)
I'll bring my storm tossed, torn sail
Story to tell hallelujah
God, You've been patient
God, You've been gracious
Faithful, whatever I'm feeling or facing
I'll bring my hard fought, heartfelt
It is well hallelujah
Hallelujah
Oh, hallelujah

Hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
Oh, oh, hallelujah
Hallelujah, oh, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah, halle-
Hallelujah, halle-
Hallelujah