Bell Armstrong performed on the 1st Annual Soul Train Awards ceremony. Her 1986 album Following Jesus won a Soul Train Music Award for Best Gospel Album - Solo in 1988. She is also a seven time Grammy Award-nominee.
The cover of Armstrong's 1987 Billboard-charting mainstream 7" single "You Bring Out The Best In Me."Vanessa enjoyed a slice of mainstream success in the late 80's. Her self-titled 1987 Jive Records debut yielded the Billboard-charting hit "You Bring Out The Best In Me," as well as the club favorite "Pressing On." [1][3] The next year's follow-up album Wonderful One featured a cover of the Labi Siffre anti-Apartheid anthem "Something Inside So Strong." The song was later remade in 1995 by Armstrong along with Shirley Caesar, Fred Hammond, Tramaine Hawkins, Yolanda Adams, and a host of other gospel artists as a tribute to Rosa Parks. The song was serviced to radio stations to play on the 40th anniversary of the civil rights icon's arrest.
Armstrong appeared on Broadway in 1991 in a production of Don't Get God Started. "Always," a Marvin Winans composition that anchors the play, also appears on Armstrong's 1987 self-titled album. Her Broadway role lead to a cameo appearance in the Oprah Winfrey TV special The Women of Brewster Place. Armstrong was also chosen to record the theme to the popular 80's NBC sitcom Amen.
Vanessa Bell Armstrong took a 3 year self-imposed hiatus from recording before releasing A Brand New Day under a new deal with Tommy Boy Gospel in 2001. Vanessa was presented with a lifetime achievement award during 2004's Gospel Superfest.
Armstrong's 2007 album, Walking Miracle, is her first release in 6 years, and blends traditional gospel fare like "So Good To Me" (produced by Smokie Norful) with contemporary songs like "Til The Victory's Won" (produced by Fred Jerkins III) and the title track (produced by Rodney Jerkins). The latter song was inspired by Armstrong's son who was recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis
Peace Be Still
Vanessa Bell Armstrong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The billows are tossing high
The sky is o'ershadowed with blackness
No shelter or help is nigh
Carest thou not that we perish?
How canst thou lie asleep
When each moment so madly is threatning
A grave in the angry deep? (Chorus)
The winds and the waves shall obey thy will
Peace, be still
Peace, be still
Peace, be still
Peace, be still
Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea
Or demons, or men, or whatever it be
No water can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of ocean and earth and sky
They all shall sweetly obey thy will
Peace, peace, be still
(repeat)
"Peace Be Still" is a gospel song written by James Cleveland and performed by Vanessa Bell Armstrong. The song talks about a violent storm and the fear of the people on the boat. They wonder why Jesus is sleeping and not doing anything about the raging storm. The chorus of the song is a repetition of "peace be still," which is a phrase Jesus used to calm the storm in the Bible.
The song starts by painting a picture of a raging storm, with high billows and a sky covered in blackness. The passengers on the boat are scared, and they wonder why Jesus is not helping them. They question how he can sleep when they are threatened with death by the violent storm. The chorus then comes in, and it is a repetition of "peace, be still." The phrase is a call to Jesus to calm the storm and bring peace to the troubled waters.
The second part of the song talks about how nothing is too big for Jesus, be it storm-tossed seas, demons or men. The singer reassures the listener that no matter the nature of the threat, Jesus can make everything calm and peaceful. Not even the water can swallow the boat where Jesus is, for he is the Master of ocean and earth and sky. The song ends with a repetition of "peace, peace, be still," which is a reminder to the listener that Jesus can bring peace to any storm in their life.
Line by Line Meaning
Master, the tempest is raging
O Lord, there is a storm brewing and it is violent, causing chaos and confusion.
The billows are tossing high
The waves are rising high and fiercely, as if they're trying to overtake us.
The sky is o'ershadowed with blackness
The clouds are so thick and dark, it seems like there's no light left in the sky.
No shelter or help is nigh
We can't find anywhere to hide or anyone to help us. We're alone.
Carest thou not that we perish?
Do You not care that we are about to die? Why are You silent?
How canst thou lie asleep
How can You be sleeping when our lives are in peril? Please be mindful of us.
When each moment so madly is threatning
Every passing moment, the danger becomes more and more severe. We need Your intervention.
A grave in the angry deep?
Is death in the heart of the violent sea the fate that awaits us? Our hearts are heavy with fear.
The winds and the waves shall obey thy will
Your power extends to nature itself. The storm will cease when You command it to.
Peace, be still
Bring calmness to the raging storm. Let tranquility return to our lives.
Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea
Whether it's the anger of an ocean in turmoil or any other forces that threaten us,
Or demons, or men, or whatever it be
whether by evil spirits or through the actions of other people or anything else,
No water can swallow the ship where lies
As long as You are with us, we will not be consumed by the dangers we face.
The Master of ocean and earth and sky
You are the Master of all things, from the greatest expanses of the natural world to the small, intricate pieces of our lives.
They all shall sweetly obey thy will
All things will obey Your commands, and You will lead us to safety.
Peace, peace, be still
Let Your peace reign over the storm, and let it be reflected in our hearts.
Contributed by Michael J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Deltha Alston
on Yes He Loves Me
Lyric to the song I don't no why he cares