Roots Music Report

Credits:

Lyrics

“Inspired by the hard winters and deeper faith of Eastern Kentucky’s Scots-Irish settlers, “The Snow Sang Hallelujah” tells a story as old as the mountains themselves—families who endured loss, poverty, and early frosts yet found hope in Scripture, song, and each other.

Set in Jackson County, the song reflects the real history of Appalachian tobacco farmers whose livelihoods depended on the mercy of the seasons. When crops failed, families turned to the traditions carried over from Ulster—tight-knit kinfolk, hearth-side worship, mountain hymns, and the belief that God met ordinary people in extraordinary ways.

Its musical heart is pure Bluegrass: high-lonesome harmony, candlelit fiddle lines, and a Gospel core that echoes the region’s church-house singing.

The story of Eli and his family mirrors the resilience of generations of Appalachian people who survived winter hardship not with wealth, but with courage, scripture, and song.

As the snow “sings Hallelujah,” the tune honors a timeless truth woven through Scots-Irish and Bluegrass history—when the world turns cold, faith and family warm the holler.” – Marty Falle August 2025

“The Snow Sang Hallelujah" feat. Carly Greer (words and music by Marty Falle)

Verse 1

Way down in Jackson County, winter laid the land out bare
Ol’ Eli watched the hillside, not a stalk of leaf grew there
Tobacco fields turned bitter, harvest lost to early frost
He bowed his head and whispered, “Lord, this year my crop is lost.”

Verse 2

He had no gifts to offer, not a dime to spend or spare
But his hands were good and godly, and his heart was full of care
He felt he’d let 'em down some, his sweet young’uns and his bride
So, he knelt beside the hearthstone, and he wept with mountain pride

Chorus

And the snow sang Hallelujah, as the cabin softly prayed
Though the cold came down like judgment, not a soul there was afraid
And the stars above the treetops twinkled like the angels knew
That the gift they’d truly needed was the One born pure and true

Verse 3

The wind it howled like sorrow, and the roof near caved in
But Mama held the Bible, and the babies held her hymn
She read, “Unto us a child is born,” and Eli found his place
By candlelight and courage, he saw heaven in their face

Verse 4

By morn the frost was heavy, but their hearts were light and warm
For love had come and found them, in the quiet of the storm
Eli kissed his children, said, “The Lord, He brought us through…”
And a song rose from the valley that the sky already knew

Oh, the snow sang Hallelujah, in the hush of Christmas morn
Every flake a note of glory, every heart anew, reborn
And the stars above the treetops twinkled like the angels knew
That the gift they’d truly needed was the One born pure and true

[Outro]
The snow sang Hallelujah…
The snow sang Hallelujah…
The snow sang Hallelujah…Oh Holy Night