Yaakov Shwekey Sings You Raise Me Up
When Yaakov Shwekey, one of Jewish music’s most emotive vocalists, takes on Josh Groban’s secular anthem “You Raise Me Up,” the result is both surprising and spiritually resonant. While the song is widely known for its universal message of hope and strength, Shwekey infuses it with a distinctly Jewish soul—transforming a pop ballad into a heartfelt prayer.
The original songwriters, Brendan Graham and Rolf Løvland, wrote the song as a tribute to spiritual strength. But the Jewish people have a specific relationship with being “down and weary.” From the Egyptian exile to the Holocaust, from the pogroms of Russia to the modern wars of Israel, the phrase “I am weary” is a national anthem of survival.
Listen carefully to the bridge. Instead of a standard piano solo, you might hear the influence of a kanun or a deep darbuka beat underpinning the orchestra. This subtle shift reminds the listener that while the song is universal, Shwekey’s heart beats to the rhythm of Jerusalem. It is a musical aliyah (ascent) of the melody. yaakov shwekey sings you raise me up
In his Musica album version, Shwekey sings the choruses in English while integrating Hebrew verses from the Jewish prayer book ( Siddur ) and the Torah, including the Shema Yisrael .
and the Barock Orchestra perform Mi Adir to this tune. When Yaakov Shwekey, one of Jewish music’s most
“You raise me up… to more than I can be.”
For a religious Jewish audience, the lyrics “You raise me up to walk on stormy seas” evoke not just general inspiration but the biblical imagery of the Yam Suf (Red Sea) and divine protection. Shwekey’s phrasing turns the song into a tefillah (prayer) of gratitude, which may resonate more deeply than Groban’s original pop interpretation. But the Jewish people have a specific relationship
Why is it that when it feels like a revolutionary act of faith? The answer lies in the historical and spiritual context of the Jewish people.
"Music that lifts the spirit. 🙌 From Shwekey’s heart-stirring vocals to the timeless melody of 'You Raise Me Up,' these are the songs that get us through. What’s your favorite soul-stirring track? 🎤💫 #JewishMusic #Inspiration #YaakovShwekey"
