Haddon began his recording career in the mid 90s with the Voices of Unity on the small Tyscot label. As the group leader for their three albums, Haddon expressed his forward looking musical view, merging elements of soul, hip-hop and funk in the group's Gospel music. VOU had some mild success on the Gospel charts, but by the late 90s Haddon was ready to move more clearly front and center as a solo artist. His first two solo albums, This is My Story and Chainbreaker continued his artistic development and made some moderate noise on the Gospel charts.
However, I’m not sure that even the devoted fan base he had been accumulating could have anticipated his late 2002 release, Lost and Found, his first on giant Gospel label Verity. A project as ambitious as Tonex’s noted debut, Pronounced Toe-Nay, Lost and Found is an exhaustive, inspired opus by a Gospel artist who, with its release, clearly declared himself a new Gospel star.
The disc begins sounding like a dance Gospel album, leading off with two funky numbers, “D.D.” and “Oh Yeah” (the latter featuring the ubiquitous Fred Hammond). From there it covers broad territory, including bluesy, southern soul (“Ain’t Got Nothing” and the radio hit, “Sinner’s Prayer”), Praise & Worship (“Worship Medley”), Prince-style electric soul (“It’s Me”), big ballads (“Stand Still”) and joyous calypso (“The Praises Go (Up, Up, Up)”). Haddon is literally bursting with musical ideas on the album and, amazingly, virtually all work. Equally impressive is the strong lyrical content of the disc – much of it autobiographical -- focusing principally on the power of redemption and the ability of faith to rescue lost or miscast souls.
It took me almost two months to review Lost and Found, mostly because it took so long to fully absorb such an ambitious project. Now I can clearly say that this stands, with Mary Mary’s “Thankful” and Tonex’s “O2,” as perhaps the definitive modern Gospel album of this decade, and is a must for both Soul and Gospel lovers.
excerpt from The Deitrick Haddon Page at Soul Tracks (www.soultracks.com)
© Copyright 2004-5 by Chris Rizik and Soul Tracks ™
Don't Take Your Spirit Away
Deitrick Haddon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
I've been without, a lot of things
And in my mind, I'm questioning
And if ever, he will leave my side
Don't know how I'll make it, how will I survive
(Ay)
And then I heard
(Ay)
You in my ear
(Ay)
Sayin' it's okay, don't worry I am here
(I am here)
Don't know where I, would be today
If you would ever, take your love away
Don't take your spirit away
Your spirit away, your spirit away
Don't know how I can make it
From day to day, don't take it away
I promise you that I will do it better
I promise, I will get myself together
Don't take it, don't take it
Your spirit away
Now I'm a man, with many dreams
I'm dreaming more for you, so never leave
Please won't you stay with me always?
There's no one that can take your place
(Ay)
And in I heard
(Ay)
You in my ear
(Ay)
Sayin' it's okay, don't worry I am here
Don't know where I, would be today
If you would ever, take your love away
Don't take your spirit away
(No)
Your spirit away
(No)
Your spirit away
(No)
Don't know how I can make it
From day to day, don't take it away
I promise you that I will do it better
I promise I will get myself together
Don't take it
(Please)
Don't take it
(Don't take it)
Your spirit away
Don't you leave me
I'm couldn't make it
Never leave me
I couldn't take it
Don't take it
(No)
Don't take it
(No)
Don't take it
(No)
Your spirit away
(Hear my cry)
Don't take it
(Ay)
Don't take it
(Don't take it)
Don't take it
(Ay)
Your spirit away
You can take my name, you can take my fame
But ohh, please don't take your
(Your spirit away)
You can take my money, you can take it all
But please don't take your
(Your spirit away)
The song "Don't Take Your Spirit Away" by Deitrick Haddon is a song about faith and the importance of spiritual guidance in one's life. The artist questions whether he will be able to survive without God's presence in his life. He acknowledges his flaws and promises to do better, urging the spirit not to leave him. The lyrics suggest that no matter how successful one may be in other aspects of life, it is the presence of the spirit that truly matters.
The artist highlights that the spirit has been the source of his strength and inspiration. He pleads that his spirit does not leave him, using repetition for emphasis. This song is a testimony to the power of faith and spiritual guidance in one's life. It is a reminder that success and material possessions are not enough without the presence of the spirit.
The song has a sincere and emotive feel to it. The melody is soft, and the background music is minimal, allowing the lyrics to stand out. The artist's voice is soothing, and the backstory behind the song is relatable, making it an inspiring piece of music.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been without, a lot of things
I have experienced a lack of various things in my life.
And in my mind, I'm questioning
I'm questioning various things in my mind.
And if ever, he will leave my side
If God were to leave me, I don't know what I'll do.
Don't know how I'll make it, how will I survive
I don't know how I will cope and make it through without God.
Sayin' it's okay, don't worry I am here
God is telling me not to worry and that He is here with me.
If you would ever, take your love away
If God were to take away His love, I would be lost and alone.
Don't know how I can make it
From day to day, don't take it away
I'm not sure how I can continue living without God's spirit and guidance each day.
I promise you that I will do it better
I promise to strive to be better in my faith.
Don't you leave me
I'm couldn't make it
Never leave me
I couldn't take it
Please don't leave me, I won't be able to handle it on my own.
You can take my name, you can take my fame
But ohh, please don't take your
(Your spirit away)
Even if everything else is taken away from me, please Lord, don't take away your spirit.
You can take my money, you can take it all
But please don't take your
(Your spirit away)
Even if I am left with nothing, I plead with God not to take away His spirit.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: DAMITA HADDON, DAVID WOOD, DEITRICK VAUGHN HADDON, TAMARA A. HADDON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind