Lauren Daigle Surprises Camp Mystic Survivor Who Rewrote 'Hallelujah' to Honor Camp Victims
Lauren Daigle surprised Skyler Darrington, a 12-year-old girl who survived a catastrophic flood in Camp Mystic earlier this month that took the lives of 27 girls, on Fox and Friends after Darrington performed her rewritten version of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” in their honor.
Darrington, who appeared on the show with her parents, went viral earlier this month when she sang "Hallelujah" with the lyrics rewritten with her mother, Lacey.
“I wrote it in honor of all the girls at our camp, for those that we just lost,” Skyler told the show’s hosts. “Even though that rough stuff can happen ... there was no blame or fault. It was just a purpose to honor them, and just to sing and remind people what has happened.”
After performing the song, Daigle, who is Skyler’s favorite music artist, came out and surprised her on set, The Christian Post.
“I literally was standing in the corner with tears,” Daigle told Skyler.“You took the tragedy and turned it into something beautiful. That’s so telling of your faith, and the hope you have in Jesus.”
“She’s got it,” Daigle said after Skyler’s live performance. “The way you wrote those lyrics — wow. And singing Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah,’ that’s not easy. But you nailed it.”
Skyler’s version of the song includes the lyrics:
They say the water overcame/ But I will never forget their names/ No blame, no fault, so really, what’s it to ya/ We are a part of Mystic heart/ We spread His light, His love, His Word/ The holy and the broken hallelujah
On July 4, floods across Central Texas killed 130 people, including 27 girls at Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp located along the Guadalupe River near Hunt. It was reported that Sklyer’s cabin was the hardest hit since it was the closest to the river.
At the time, camp administrators rushed in pickup trucks to rescue her and her other campers and transport them to higher ground. Meanwhile, her family had to drive four hours overnight at maximum to reach the camp since they were unable to contact her during the catastrophe.
“There was no communication,” Skyler's father said. “It was the fastest I’ve ever driven in my life.”
Despite seeing devastation at the scene, the family also found hope.
“The humanity on display around Hunt and Ingram. … People came from all over the country to help,” he said. “This song helps to tell that story and remind people that there’s still work to be done.”
Meanwhile, Lacey noted that the lyrics were written during a “sad day” filled with grief and prayer.
“It was very emotional and healing,” her mom said. “It was like song therapy. A beautiful tribute.”
When asked how she had strong faith, Skyler said: Throughout my whole life, I’ve always believed in Jesus. … That event really helped my faith grow. All my friends were there. We sang during the tragic event, and it just helped us grow.”
Photo Credit: @Fox & Friends via facebook 7/29/25
Originally published July 31, 2025.
