Originally written and recorded by Grammy-winning artist Brandon Lake, “Hard Fought Hallelujah” became a spiritual anthem for the broken and the healing. The song found new depth earlier this year when Jelly Roll joined Lake for a powerful duet released in February 2025. The collaboration is more than musical—it’s personal.
Jelly Roll, born Jason DeFord, has never shied away from his troubled past: incarceration, addiction, and a long journey toward self-worth and faith. In a recent interview, he admitted the song stirred something in him he thought he’d lost.
@jerseygirl0610 Jelly Roll manifesting positive vibes and spirit to #philly tonight. #hardfoughthallelujah #rainbow #postmaloneconcert #jellyroll
“I had been so hurt by the church,” Jelly Roll told Holler Country, “but this song reminded me that I could worship in my own way.”
He called it “the most spiritual experience” he’s had since rediscovering his connection with God.
🌦 Nature Answers the Call
The double rainbow, which appeared around 8:30 PM during Jelly Roll’s set, was not only rare meteorologically — it was symbolically loaded. In Christian theology, the rainbow is often seen as a sign of God’s promise and presence. A double rainbow is sometimes interpreted as a second chance, a divine echo.
For fans who stood beneath that sky, it felt like something bigger than a concert.
“He was singing about redemption,” said one attendee. “And then the sky just opened up. I’ve never experienced anything like it.” Another wrote online, “It wasn’t just a song. It was a sermon.”
🙏 The Voice of the Vulnerable
Jelly Roll’s rise has been unconventional but deeply resonant. His openness about mental health, addiction, and faith has struck a chord with millions. He’s not a polished preacher — he’s a man who has lived what he sings. And that makes moments like this hit harder.
“I may not worship like you, or speak like you,” he recently said during a podcast appearance, “but I feel God just the same. Especially when I sing.” His voice in “Hard Fought Hallelujah” trembles with lived experience. It’s not just performance — it’s catharsis.
✨ A Reminder We Didn’t Know We Needed
In a world that often feels chaotic, this moment — a double rainbow over a heartfelt hallelujah — reminded us of something essential: beauty still breaks through. Healing still happens. And sometimes, when the right song meets the right sky, we get to witness a miracle.
As the applause faded and the rainbows disappeared into twilight, one thing remained: the echo of a voice, scarred but strong, rising in a song not of victory — but of survival.
A hard-fought hallelujah, indeed.
@brandonlakemusic Double rainbow appears during Hard Fought Hallelujah
♬ Hard Fought Hallelujah (with Jelly Roll) – Brandon Lake & Jelly Roll