The album opens with the upbeat mantra “YRM (Your Righteous Mind)” that features Dorinda Clark Cole of the legendary Clark Sisters. Throughout the set, the songs speak to the heart of mankind and address life’s everyday challenges. Lawrence put his touch on popular songs such as gospel pioneer Walter Hawkins’ “When the Battle Is Over” and Chaka Khan’s “Through the Fire” and assumes the role of teacher on new compositions such as “Second Wind;” “We Agree,” which features gold-selling praise and worship artist Israel Houghton; “The I Am Factor;” and “Spiritual” – an open prayer to become a spiritually minded person.
Lawrence learned his spiritual principles from an aunt who raised him in Gastonia, NC – not far from Charlotte. A fan of the music of Walter Hawkins and Thomas Whitfield, Lawrence taught himself to play the piano by the age of fifteen and put himself through the prestigious Cincinnati Conservatory of Music as a musical theater major. He and his Professor, Worth Gardner, wrote the 1986 musical revue, “Sing Hallelujah!” that played across the country - including an off Broadway stint at the Village Gate that earned praise from The New York Times. Lawrence eventually returned to North Carolina and joined the music staff of Jim & Tammy Baker’s PTL Club television program. However, word soon spread about his talent and Lawrence was recruited as a vocal coach for En Vogue and, in the early nineties, became music director for R&B star Stephanie Mills.
Mills’ manager signed Lawrence’s urban inspirational group, Company, to Giant Records and they released the Devotion CD in 1993. During that same period, Lawrence had been feeding his songs to the Tri-City Singers (comprised of singers from the Carolina cities of Charlotte, Gastonia and Spartanburg) through his pal Richard Odom, who was a member of Company and also of the choir. The choir’s members enjoyed the songs so much that Lawrence was eventually asked to shepherd the group. Their debut CD, A Songwriter’s Point of View was released on Gospcentric Records. Fueled by cameo performances from R&B crooner Peabo Bryson and Stephanie Mills, the album peaked at #2 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart.
With the success of the CD, the choir’s national career was launched and as its mastermind, Donald Lawrence was in the spotlight. Adorned in Afro-centric garb, the choir stood out among gospel choirs visually, and Lawrence’s unique blend of Hip Hop and other dynamic rhythms made their gospel music equally inimitable. Over the next dozen years, Lawrence took the choir to new heights with signatures hits such as “When Sunday Comes;” “Message To The Saints;” “Never Seen The Righteous,” and “The Best Is Yet To Come.” Lawrence retired the group at the zenith of its popularity in 2006 with a sold-out cross-country concert tour and a smash hit Finale CD/DVD project that featured the two biggest hits of the choir’s existence - “Encourage Yourself” and “The Blessing of Abraham.”
As Lawrence’s stature as a producer increased, requests poured in for him to collaborate with artists as diverse as Mary J. Blige; jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis; Hezekiah Walker & the Love Fellowship Choir (cutting his #1 smash “Souled Out”) and the legendary Clark Sisters on their Grammy Award winning comeback CD, Live: One Last Time. However, he also set time aside to carve out a career as a solo artist with backing by his group, Co. His 2004 solo CD debut I Speak Life featured the radio hits “You Covered Me” and the rousing anthem, “Healed.”
Since 2001, Lawrence has lived in Chicago, IL where he ventured to in pursuit of a master’s degree at Columbia College. The fine arts institution ended up offering him a faculty position where he has intermittently instructed students on the business of music. He visited the Living Word Christian Center where he fell in love with Pastor Bill Winston’s common sense teachings. That wisdom inspired Lawrence’s second solo CD, The Law of Confession Part 1, which was released in 2009. “A law is simply a principle, based on the predictable consequence of an act,” Lawrence said at the time. “Confession in the Greek language is homo-logeo which means to say what has been said. There is a spiritual law for confession: you just say what God has already said...`Speak The Word.’” Evangelists all over the country preached sermons based on the musical messages found in the CD. The initial radio single “Back II Eden” shot to #1 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart and paved the way for follow-up singles “Let The Word Do The Work” and “There Is A King In You.”
The music industry has taken note of Lawrence’s majestic career and Verizon Wireless tapped him as its spokesman for its How Sweet The Sound (HSTS) national gospel choir talent competition in 2007. He has served as the face of the promotion in national television commercials, print advertising and as emcee of the actual events ever since. He also spent a year as musical mentor for BET’s “Sunday Best” television talent competition. It’s all a part of Lawrence’s future goals of expanding his career into television, film and more musical theatre.
In the meantime, he’s ready to unveil the YRM (Your Righteous Mind) CD, which is a continuum of what he’s been preaching through music for years. “This project really doesn't differ from my past ones,” he says. “I want to continue to teach, through song, spiritual principles and laws based on scriptures.”
The Blessing Is On You
Donald Lawrence & Company Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
An aristocratic dynasty
The goal of the enemy,
Is that you don't know who you are
There's power when you speak
Be mindful of words you release
I know that life has challenged you,
You were born to rule
There is a king in you
There is a king in you
Is there no King in you,
Then why do you speak, speak with such defeat
Is there no King in you,
Then why do you speak, speak with such low esteem
I know life has challenged you,
But the King in me speaks to the king in you
You were born to rule
There is a King in you
There is a King in you
The lyrics of Donald Lawrence's song "There Is a King in You" speak about our true identity and the power that it gives. The first line "You come from Royalty, an aristocratic dynasty" emphasizes the fact that we are children of God, who is the King of Kings. This means that we have royal blood running through our veins, and we were born to rule.
However, the enemy's goal is to make us believe that we are less than who we really are. This is why the lyrics say "The goal of the enemy, is that you don't know who you are". We need to be mindful of the words we speak because they have the power to create or destroy. When we speak with defeat or low esteem, we are not living up to our true identity as royalty. Instead, we should recognize that "there's power when you speak" and speak from the place of authority that comes from our identity as children of God.
The chorus repeats the phrase "there is a King in you" to emphasize the main message of the song. It encourages us to recognize and embrace our true identity as royalty and to live in the power and authority that comes with it. It is a reminder that we were born to rule and that we have the potential to impact the world around us for good.
Line by Line Meaning
You come from Royalty,
You have a divine lineage and come from a family of esteemed nobles.
An aristocratic dynasty
You belong to a powerful and privileged family who have achieved great things.
The goal of the enemy,
The objective of those who go against you is to make you forget your worth and identity.
Is that you don't know who you are
The enemy wants you to remain unaware of your true identity and the potential you possess.
There's power when you speak
Your words carry immense power and can influence your life and those around you.
Be mindful of words you release
You should be careful of what you say and the energy behind your words to positively impact your life.
I know that life has challenged you,
I understand that life hasn't been kind to you and you have faced difficulties.
But the King in me speaks to the King in you
The highest part of me speaks to the highest part of you, reminding you of your true potential.
You were born to rule
You were brought into this world to lead, accomplish great things, and make your mark in society.
There is a king in you
You possess the qualities and potential of a mighty king, and you should never forget that.
Is there no King in you,
If you don't recognize the king within yourself,
Then why do you speak, speak with such defeat
Why do you talk negatively and hold yourself back when you have the potential for greatness?
Then why do you speak, speak with such low esteem
Why do you speak with such self-doubt and a lack of confidence when you have so much to offer?
There is a King in you
Reminding you yet again of your innate potential for greatness and leadership.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DONALD L. LAWRENCE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Minister Shanda
This day, I'm fully persuaded that God is a Promise Keeper, covenant making, prayer answering, need meeting, Omnipresent, Sovereign, Magnificent, Trustworthy.....God. He's Worthy and forever Present.
EMMANUEL UDOH
Hallelujah!!!!
Otis Floyd
Yessir amen
Teresa
Thank You Lord for my Blessings. Mr. Lawrence, you always have such wonderful back up Singers who always look so Classy!!I love It!
Yvette Harris
Saw this notification for the video as I was having a conversation with Father about some things I desire. Count this as nothing but confirming what is happening on my behalf! Thank you!
Debra Smith
Beautiful My brother Donald Lawrence. “ The blessing is on me”. Thank you 🙏🏾 for “ Always “ bringing us GOD’S BEST. We love you ♥️.
Dj White
Amen ✝️ **JESUS IS LORD** 🙏
Andre Powell
An appropriate song for these times. The Blessing is on you!
Thomas Dodson,jr
This song makes me cry every time I here it it's like God is speaking to me threw his still small voice glory to your name father for your conformation 🕊 🔥 😢
Sarah Ford
JUST SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL TO THE FULLEST AND BEYOND MEASURE 💯❤️🎈🌹👑♥️🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆