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".
I Am God
Donald Lawrence Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can handle things on my own
I am the first and the last, whatever you need just ask
For I am, I am, I am God
I was there in the beginning
And I'll be there when you get to the end
I'm all seeing, all knowing, almighty, ever showing
All my promises are yeah, I am God
All my promises are yeah, I am God
I am the first, the last, whatever you need just ask
For I am, I am, I am God
I am, I am, I am, I am
Just stand still and know I am God
In Donald Lawrence's song "I Am God," the lyrics describe the omnipotence and all-knowing power of God. The first verse states, "I am God all by myself, I don't need any help, I can handle things on my own." This lines signify that God doesn't need anyone or anything to support Him because He is self-sufficient. He knows how to take care of things on His own. The second verse says, "I was there in the beginning and I'll be there when you get to the end, I'm all-seeing, all-knowing, almighty, ever showing." This line depicts the idea that God is eternal and always present- from the beginning of time until the end of time. He is all seeing, meaning that he sees everything that is happening at any point in time, past, and future. He's ever showing so that the believers can feel His presence in any form.
Moreover, the repetition of the phrase "For I am, I am, I am God," emphasizes that God is affirming His own authority and majesty. The chorus line all my promises are yeah, I am God reiterates the faithfulness of God, implying that His promises never fall. The last line, "Just stand still and know I am God" is a declaration that believers should have faith that God is in control of their lives, and being in his presence means nothing can shake them down.
Line by Line Meaning
I am God all by myself, I don't need any help
I have complete and total power, I don't need assistance from anyone or anything.
I can handle things on my own
I have the ability to manage and control everything without aid.
I am the first and the last, whatever you need just ask
I exist with no beginning or end, and possess the power to fulfill any request.
For I am, I am, I am God
I am the one and only God.
I was there in the beginning
I am eternal and have existed since the start of all things.
And I'll be there when you get to the end
I will continue to exist even when everything else ceases to be.
I'm all seeing, all knowing, almighty, ever showing
I possess complete awareness, understanding, and unlimited power - and I demonstrate this constantly.
All my promises are yeah, I am God
I am always faithful to fulfill any promise I make, because I am God.
I am, I am, I am, I am
I exist without any limitations, and am always present.
Just stand still and know I am God
Simply be still and recognize that I am the one true God.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lynnayebale5250
Thank you Jesus
I am God all by myself, I don't need any help
I can handle things on my own
I am the first and the last, whatever you need just ask
For I am, I am, I am God
I was there in the beginning
And I'll be there when you get to the end
I'm all seeing, all knowing, almighty, ever showing
For I am, I am, I am God
All my promises are yeah, I am God
All my promises are yeah, I am God
I am the first, the last, whatever you need just ask
For I am, I am, I am God
I am, I am, I am, I am
Just stand still and know I am God
@hollyigwilo9446
When my mother, father and sister had COVID-19, God used this song to strengthen me in the midst of having to care for them. At that time, there were no vaccines. Today, they are HEALED and still here. He is GOD.
@Ms.Jamieh297
All Praises To Him!!!☝️🙌💓 GOD Bless You and Your Family 💕
@craytionmcmillian4329
Amen!
@karendunn9315
Praise God for Healing your parents!🙏🏽 I absolutely love this song & I had the privilege to sing it in my home church Choir. Donald Lawrence is gifted & anointed!🙏🏽👏🏼👏🏼 Thanks for sharing, Karen
@dorisolford6005
So thankful God showed your family His favor! And you will be forever blessed for how you cared for them. God bless all of you!
@metchreemathis3018
He’s still and will forever be the Great I Am
@JT-pb3fx
It's 2022 and this song is almost 28 years old. I'm gonna be listening to this for the rest of my life
@tonyadeas1208
I didn’t realize the song was that old. But it’s been in my play list for the past 3 days. I hear the song in my sleep 😴
@loveneverfails9641
Absolutely! I have to listen to this every year to remind myself of who I serve and who loves me! God got me! Amen!
@JustIce-xp4xn
Thee best song