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".
Restoring The Years )
Donald Lawrence Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just know that my word, will not return void
Your time I sustained, there's no need to fear
I'm restoring the years you've sown in tears
Restoring the years you've sown in tears
I am the author, the writer of time
No matter how long, things will work out just fine
I'm restoring the years you've sown in tears
Restoring, the year's you've sown in tears
Lift up your hands, receive from the Lord
Your broken spirit, receive from the Lord
Deposit this word, there's no need to fear
I'm restoring the years you've sown in tears
Restoring, the year's you've sown in tears
I'm healin' you, I'm healin' you, healin' you
I'm healin' you, I'm healin' you, healin' you
I'm healin' you, healin' you, I'm healin' you
Healin' you, I'm healin' you, healin' you
I'm healin' you, healin' you
I'm restoring the years you've sown in tears
Restoring, the year's you've sown in tears
The lyrics of Donald Lawrence's song Restoring The Years convey a message of hope and comfort to people going through hard times. The song starts with the Lord asking for the audience's attention and pledging that His words will never go in vain. He reassures them that He has sustained them through their troubles and that they should not be afraid. The chorus reiterates that the years they have shed in tears will be restored by the Lord.
The second verse emphasizes the omnipotence of the Lord, declaring Him as the author and writer of time. It proclaims that, no matter how long it may take, everything will work out just fine. Again, the Lord urges the audience to believe in His words and not to be afraid. The chorus repeats the reassurance that the Lord is restoring the lost years the audience has suffered in pain.
In the final part of the song, the Lord is addressing the audience directly, urging them to lift their hands to receive from Him. He pledges that He will heal the broken spirit and that there is no need to be afraid. The chorus repeats the message that the Lord is healing and restoring them.
Overall, the song brings a comforting message of hope to people who have experienced trying times. It encourages them to believe in the Lord's words and to trust that He will restore what they have lost in tears.
Line by Line Meaning
Lend me your ears, thus said the Lord
Listen carefully to my words, as I promise that they will not be empty
Just know that my word, will not return void
Understand that my promises will come true and not be in vain
Your time I sustained, there's no need to fear
Do not be afraid, for I have been with you and supported you throughout your life
I'm restoring the years you've sown in tears
I am rejuvenating and revitalizing the time that you have lost while you were in mourning
Restoring the years you've sown in tears
Bringing back life to the moments that were lost during the sad times
I am the author, the writer of time
I am the master and controller of time and everything that happens in it
No matter how long, things will work out just fine
Regardless of how much time has passed, your situation will eventually improve
Deposit this word, there's no need to fear
Trust in my words and my promises, and do not be afraid
Lift up your hands, receive from the Lord
Open up to me and accept the gifts that I have to offer
Your broken spirit, receive from the Lord
Allow me to heal your wounded soul and uplift you
I'm healin' you, I'm healin' you, healin' you
I am curing and fortifying you
I'm restoring the years you've sown in tears
I am bringing back the moments of joy that were lost while you were grieving
Restoring, the year's you've sown in tears
Reviving the time that was taken away during your moments of sorrow
I'm healin' you, healin' you, I'm healin' you
I am mending and strengthening you
Healin' you, I'm healin' you, healin' you
I am restoring and rejuvenating you
I'm healing you, healin' you
I am curing and replenishing you
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Donald Lawrence
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
VWM
on Soulful Noel
Shoo Ba Doo Deet deet dee
Doop Doo Doo
Shoo Ba Doo Deet deet dee
Doop Doo Doo
Verse 1
It was the first Noel the angels did say
To certain poor shepherds in fields where they lay
Keeping their sheep on a cold winters night
This was so deep y’all it was so right
CHORUS
Noel Noel
Noel Noel Noel.
Noel Noel
Noel Noel Noel.
Verse 2
I can imagine it was a cold night (Oo so cold)
All of the shepherds, trying to do (their jobs right)
Suddenly in the sky, there appeared (the sky, the sky, the sky)
A host of angels, which caused them to fear
CHORUS
Noel Noel
Noel Noel Noel.
Noel Noel
Noel Noel Noel.
Verse 3
Behold, I bring you tidings of great joy (great joy)
In the city of David of (Christ, the Lord)
You can find these things in swaddling clothes
(Tell it , Tell it Go tell it)
I want you to go and tell everybody you know
Go tell them that Christ is born
Verse 4
I’m going to tell everyone that I meet (hi oo)
To go and humble yourselves at (this child’s feet)
He came to save to heal and forgive (heal and forgive)
So that we all we might live
CHORUS
Noel Noel
Noel Noel Noel.
Noel Noel
Noel Noel Noel.
Born is the King of Israel
Born is the King of Israel
He is the King of Israel