Born and raised in the Motor City , Haddon was another gospel child prodigy… Read Full Bio ↴Born and raised in the Motor City , Haddon was another gospel child prodigy, both as minister and musician. He gave his first sermon at the church of his father, Bishop Clarence Haddon, at age 11, and was directing the choir by age 13.

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 ™

Strong
Deitrick Haddon Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Babba jibba oh jibaba oh x4

It's dietrick haddon man

I be working hard for the kingdom, hard for my jesus
I know my crown, you can't keep a good man down
I don't do it for the fame, don't do it for the money
Oh I can't help that his anointing is on me

I'm a soldier in this battle
Refuse to lose this war
I may have dropped my shield
But I still got my sword

Aint never seen the righteous forsaken yeah
Oh I'm not tired yet No
You've been running this race for a long time
Let me hear you say
I'm not tired yet, I'm not tired yet, No
You've been praying and crying for a long time
I'm not done yet, I'm not done yet, I'm not done yet

And now let the weak say I am strong
Yeah, strong, strong, strong

Man I can't stop now
I got both feet on the ground
Eneny throught he knocked me out
But I can go another round
Making me think I am stronger - strong
Wiser - wise
The God I serve is greater - yeah

If anything that the enemy try to put on me
He forgot my angels has already gone ahead of me
See i'm not afraid of oposition
I am a man on a mission
I have been fighting ever since
To be a man in my decision

You've been running this race for a long time
I'm not done yet, I'm done yet
Let me hear you say
I'm not done yet, I'm done yet
You've been praying and crying for a long long time
I'm not done yet, let me hear you say. I'm not done yet
And now let the weak say I am strong
Yeah, strong, strong, strong
Yeah, I know I know I know I know
You are strong

Yeeup
Strong you think I am weak but you got it all wrong
Like the deposit on the tip of my tongue
I got power and I don't mean the throne
I keep my chest to this beat king kong
I'm talking a real real big big gorilla
I serve a great great God
I'm not done yet
Yeah
And you may think that this is just another song
No, this is my proclamation I am strong
Strong x3
I'm not tired yet
Strong x4
I'm not tired yet, I'm not tired
Strong x3
I'm not tired yet
Strong x3

I'm not tired yet
Strong

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Deitrick Haddon's song "Strong" talk about the singer's commitment to his faith and his determination to keep fighting for his beliefs even in the face of adversity. The opening lines show his dedication to his faith and his conviction that he will be rewarded with a crown in heaven. He emphasizes that he does not do what he does for personal gain but rather because he feels that he has been anointed by God. He likens himself to a soldier in a battle who is prepared to fight to the best of his abilities.

The song then goes on to assert that the singer is not tired even though he has been running the race of faith for a long time. He acknowledges that he has faced challenges and setbacks but insists that he is not done yet. The chorus "And now let the weak say I am strong" encourages those who may be feeling weak or defeated to find strength, take heart, and keep going.

The song's lyrics offer an insight into the singer's faith and his unwavering commitment to his beliefs. They also serve as an inspiration for people who may be struggling in their own journey of faith. The song encourages them to keep moving forward despite any obstacles.

Line by Line Meaning

I be working hard for the kingdom, hard for my jesus
I put in effort to serve in the name of Jesus

I know my crown, you can't keep a good man down
I am confident in my reward and cannot be defeated

I don't do it for the fame, don't do it for the money
I do not seek personal gain or recognition for my service

Oh I can't help that his anointing is on me
I cannot resist the divine empowerment to serve

I'm a soldier in this battle
I am participating in a spiritual conflict

Refuse to lose this war
I am determined to achieve victory

I may have dropped my shield
I have experienced setbacks or failures

But I still got my sword
I am still equipped to fight and succeed

Aint never seen the righteous forsaken yeah
God never abandons those who are faithful

Oh I'm not tired yet No
I am not exhausted or ready to give up

You've been running this race for a long time
You have been striving for a while

Let me hear you say I'm not tired yet, I'm not tired yet, No
Encouragement to persist and not give up

You've been praying and crying for a long time
You have been seeking help or intervention for a while

I'm not done yet, I'm not done yet, I'm not done yet
I have not yet completed my service or mission

And now let the weak say I am strong Yeah, strong, strong, strong
Encouragement for the vulnerable or powerless to assert their strength

Man I can't stop now I got both feet on the ground Eneny throught he knocked me out But I can go another round
Despite adversity or setbacks, I am still grounded and determined

Making me think I am stronger - strong Wiser - wise
Overcoming challenges improves my character and abilities

The God I serve is greater - yeah
God is more powerful and influential than any obstacle or enemy

If anything that the enemy try to put on me He forgot my angels has already gone ahead of me
Divine protection has been provided in advance

See i'm not afraid of oposition I am a man on a mission
I am not intimidated by opposition and am committed to my purpose

You've been running this race for a long time I'm not done yet, I'm done yet Let me hear you say I'm not done yet, I'm done yet
Encouragement to persevere and not give up

And now let the weak say I am strong Yeah, strong, strong, strong Yeah, I know I know I know I know You are strong
Empowering those who feel weak or powerless to declare their strength

Strong you think I am weak but you got it all wrong Like the deposit on the tip of my tongue I got power and I don't mean the throne
Asserting that the perception of weakness is incorrect, and that strength is present

I keep my chest to this beat king kong I'm talking a real real big big gorilla I serve a great great God
Expressing pride and confidence in serving an almighty God

And you may think that this is just another song No, this is my proclamation I am strong
Asserting that the song is not mere entertainment, but a declaration of strength

Strong x3 I'm not tired yet Strong x4 I'm not tired yet, I'm not tired Strong x3 I'm not tired yet Strong x3 I'm not tired yet Strong
Reiteration of determination and strength

Writer(s): Deitrick Haddon

Contributed by Zoe H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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