Lauren Daigle recently surprised 12-year-old Skyler Dallington, who experienced a tragic flood at Camp Mystic earlier this month. This heartwarming moment took place after Skyler performed a rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” with some rewritten lyrics alongside her mother, Lacey.
Skyler, along with her parents, was featured on a show where she went viral after singing “Hallelujah” with these new lyrics. “In honor of every girl in our camp, I wrote it for the girl we just lost,” she shared with the show’s host. “That rough thing could happen, but… there was no liability or negligence. It was just to honor them and to sing and remind people what happened.”
After her performance, Daigle—a favorite artist of Skyler—surprised her on set. “I was literally standing at the corner with tears,” Daigle expressed. She praised Skyler’s talent, saying, “The way you wrote those lyrics—amazing. Singing Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ isn’t easy, but you nailed it.”
Skyler’s version of the song featured poignant lyrics, reflecting her emotions during such a challenging time:
- “They say the water has overcome, but I don’t name responsible, I will never forget my mistake.”
Large floods in central Texas on July 4th resulted in the tragic deaths of 130 individuals, including 27 girls from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp on the Guadalupe River near Hunt, Texas. Skyler’s cabin was hit hardest due to its proximity to the river.
During the crisis, camp managers acted quickly, using a pickup truck to rescue her and other campers, rushing them to higher ground. Meanwhile, her family endured a nerve-wracking four-hour drive to the camp with no way to communicate during the ordeal. “There was no communication,” Skyler’s father recalled, mentioning that it was the fastest he had ever driven.
Although the family faced immense devastation, they also found hope in the community coming together. “Humanity on display around Hunt and Ingram… People came from all over the country to help,” he noted. “The song helps tell the story and remind people that there’s still work to do.”
Lacey mentioned that Skyler’s lyrics were penned during a particularly “sad day,” filled with sorrow and prayer. “It was very emotional and soothing,” Lacey said. “It was like singing therapy. A beautiful complement.”
When asked about her strong faith, Skyler stated, “Throughout my life, I have always believed. Jesus… The events really helped my faith grow. All of my friends were there. We sang during the tragic events, and it helped us grow.”
Originally, this touching story was shared on July 31, 2025.
