Donald Lawrence studied at Cincinnati Conservatory, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in music. To his credit, Donald's musicality has seen many incarnations, as vocal coach to the R&B group En Vogue, musical director for Stephanie Mills, songwriter for The Clark Sisters, and producer for a host of artists including Peabo Bryson and Kirk Franklin. Lawrence took on The Tri-City Singers after a friend vacated his position as musical director.
The group debuted in 1993 with A Songwriter's Point Of View on a then-brand-new independent record label called GospoCentric Records. The set debuted at #2 on the Billboard Top Gospel Charts. The group's follow-up release Bible Stories would top those same charts when it arrived in 1995. It was the first to be billed as Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers and featured black church-ubiquitous hits such as "A Message For The Saints", "I Am God" and "Stranger".
In 1997, Donald Lawrence produced the live portion of Karen Clark Sheard's Grammy-nominated Finally Karen debut. Lawrence & Tri-City also released the seasonal Hello Christmas the same year.
In 2000, Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers signed to EMI Gospel. To promote the new album, a maxi CD of the lead single "Testify" to the mainstream. House remixes by Junior Vasquez sent the song to #33 on Billboard's Mainstream Dance Charts. When tri-city4.com was finally released in 2001, the set peaked at #2 on Billboard's Top Gospel Charts and #13 on Billboard's Heatseekers Charts. The album also got a profile boost from the all-star standout "God's Favor", featuring vocal turns from Karen Clark Sheard, Kim Burrell, and Kelly Price.
In 2004 "I Speak Life" was Donald Lawrence' first solo album, the debut for his newly inked recording contract with Verity Records, and also the first release under his new sublabel Quiet Water Entertainment. Though the album was without The Tri-City Singers, guest appearances were plenteous. Donnie McClurkin, Hezekiah Walker, Faith Evans, Richard Smallwood, and Carl Thomas all contributed to the album. Even jazz notables Ramsey Lewis and Lalah Hathaway were on hand for a remake of the Bible Stories classic "Don't Forget To Remember".
Hebrews 4:9 "A Rest"
Donald Lawrence Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
for the people of god
a promise a finish work
and we must guide it with our heart
everything you will ever need
was provided at cavary
there remaineth a rest
there is a res... t a finish work of the lord
now that you no that its finish
come on by faitjh lets go in it
4)
The main theme of this song is rest. The lyrics suggest that there is a specific type of rest available to those who are considered "the people of God." This rest was promised to them through the completion of Jesus Christโs work on the cross at Calvary. The importance of holding onto this promise is emphasized through the phrase, "and we must guide it with our heart." The lyrics also stress the fact that every need that we could ever have has already been taken care of through the sacrifice of Jesus, highlighting the completeness of Christโs work.
The repetition of the phrase "there remaineth a rest" highlights the idea that this rest is always available, but we have to choose to enter it. The idea of entering this rest through faith is also emphasized, with the suggestion to "come on by faith letโs go in it." Overall, the message of the song is that there is a rest available to those who are willing to trust and have faith in Jesus Christ and his sacrificial work on the cross.
Line by Line Meaning
there remaineth rest, a rest
There is a state of peace and tranquility available
for the people of god
This state is accessible only to those who belong to God
a promise a finish work
This state is the fulfillment of a promise, the completion of a task
and we must guide it with our heart
We must approach it with sincerity and devotion
everything you will ever need
All that is required for this state has already been provided
was provided at cavary
These provisions were made through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ
there remaineth a rest
This state of peace still exists and is available to us
there is a res... t a finish work of the lord
This state is the result of God's finished work
now that you no that its finish
Once we understand that God's work is complete
come on by faitjh lets go in it
We can enter into this state through faith and trust in God
Contributed by Nolan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tomikia Sayles
Yessssssssssss. This song has given my spirit some life. Those vocals on this version. ......omg I absolutely love it!
Thabisile Cele
Totally LOVE this version!!! Wish there was a video...
Carrol Kerridge
Jimmy
swagger
songs
Kevin Cornwell II
This version!!!! I love it as the person who's on the organ just gifted
Debi F
Love this slow version!
Anointed Voices!
Jays Music
This right here!!!!!! Blessed my ears and soul!
Jwan Waldon
Jesus. I heard this song sang by Oakwood University when I watched them on the Sabbath but I am glad this live song. Sounds even more good. That person who played the organ is killing this song. Anointed just like at Oakwood. Amen. ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
R Mack
Me too! I heard him do this with Oakwood University Church a couple of years ago, so powerful!
ANTHONY TAYLOR
Truly an anointed song. I Love this version
dawn Burke
Just heard this song at Annette Francis funeral...powerful impact as she is now at rest with the Lord.