I’ve probably mentioned it here before that although I’m sure most of it is well-meaning, I just can’t get into most modern worship music. I’m not sure what exactly it is, but to my ears so much of it has a sanitized, homogenized, “Stepford Wives” sort of quality to it. Maybe it’s the heavy-handed audio production or the predictable structures and lyrics. I like some of it – just not a lot.
But I do tend to connect with less-produced and more raw-sounding stuff. And so, on this Easter Sunday 2026, I’m giving praise with Hannah Honey. As far as I can tell, the first verse is about Zacchaeus, and the rest of the song is about Mary Magdalene going to Jesus’ tomb on Easter morning.
I used to be rich in my eyes
Full of attention and deep pride
But I was hated by my people
And compensated for my height
Oh I still can’t explain why He came
But I’m so flipping glad He did
Oh I was desperate and lonely
And all good in my sin
When You came near and I couldn’t see
I climbed that sycamore tree
You walked and talked with me
And broke bread before I could see
I realised You were the One
Then You vanished out of sight
Hallelujah He’s alive!
Jesus from Nazareth
You saw my thick head
My unbelief had a grip on me
I thought You were dead
When You came near and I couldn’t see
All I wanted was You to
Stay with me
You walked and talked with me
And broke bread before I could see
I realised You were the One
Then You vanished out of sight
Hallelujah He’s alive!
So I’m gonna go and tell the others (Hallelujah he’s alive)
I’m gonna go and tell the others (Hallelujah he’s alive)
Oh I’m gonna go and tell the others
He’s alive!
He’s alive!
He’s alive!