Rather than landing him in trouble, as he feared, the young Cleveland found himself crowned the new "Choir Mascot" and furthermore acquired the honor of having a song written especially for him by Thomas A. Dorsey. Dorsey spent alot of time with Cleveland which influenced and inspired him more and more as he grew older.
Before long, Cleveland began singing as a boy soprano at Pilgrim Baptist Church, under Dorsey's baton, the watchful eye of his grandmother, and the accompaniment of famed pianist Roberta Martin. As a teenager,however, Cleveland's voice underwent more than a normal pre-adulthood change. He strained his vocal cords singing with a local gospel group, leaving the distinctive gravelly voice that was his hallmark in his later years. The change in his voice led him to focus on his skills as a pianist and later as a composer and arranger. Thus 1950, Cleveland joined the Gospelaires, a trio led by Norsalus Mckissick and Bessie Folk, who were associated with Roberta Martin. Martin hired him as a composer and arranger after the group disbanded. His arrangements of songs such as "(Give Me That) Old Time Religion" and "It's Me O Lord" transformed them, giving a rocking lilt and insistent drive to old standards.
The rest is history in his music like: I Don't feel noways tired, Where Is Your Faith in God, Everything Will Be Alright, Shine on Me, and This Too Will Pass
Peace Be Still
James Cleveland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The billows are tossing high
The sky is o'er shadowed with blackness
No shelter or help is nigh
Carest Thou not that we perish?
How canst Thou lie asleep
When each moment so madly is threatening
The winds and the waves shall obey my will, peace be still
Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea
Or demons or men or whatever it be
No water can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of ocean and earth and skies
They shall sweetly obey my will
Peace be still, peace be still
They all shall sweetly obey my will, peace, peace be still
Master, with anguish of spirit
I bow in my grief today
The depths of my sad heart are troubled
Oh, waken and save, I pray
Torrents of sin and of anguish
Sweep o'er my sinking soul
And I perish, I perish, dear Master
Oh, hasten and take control
The winds and the waves shall obey my will, peace be still
Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea
Or demons or men or whatever it be
No water can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of ocean and earth and skies
They shall sweetly obey my will
Peace be still, peace be still
They all shall sweetly obey my will, peace, peace be still
Master, the terror is over
The elements sweetly rest
Earth's sun in the calm lake is mirrored
And heaven's within my breast
Linger, o blessed Redeemer
Leave me alone no more
And with joy I shall make the blest harbor
And rest on the blissful shore
The winds and the waves shall obey my will, peace be still
Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea
Or demons or men or whatever it be
No water can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of ocean and earth and skies
They shall sweetly obey my will
Peace be still, peace be still
They all shall sweetly obey my will, peace, peace be still
The lyrics of James Cleveland's song "Peace Be Still" express a sense of desperation and resignation to God's power in the face of a tempestuous storm. The first verse describes the chaos and danger of the situation, with waves crashing and the sky darkening. The singer wonders why God seems to be asleep and not intervening to save them. The second verse expresses the singer's personal anguish and need for salvation, as they feel overwhelmed by sin and suffering. Despite this, the refrain emphasizes the power of God to calm the storm and bring peace to their soul.
The song draws on imagery from the Bible, particularly the story of Jesus calming the storm in Matthew 8:23-27. The phrase "peace be still" is a direct quote from Jesus in that passage, and the singer of the song seems to be echoing that plea for God's intervention. The use of water as a metaphor for chaos and danger is also common in the Bible, particularly in the story of Noah's ark.
Line by Line Meaning
Master, the tempest is raging
The storm is severe and dangerous
The billows are tossing high
The waves are turbulent, and the boat is shaking heavily
The sky is oāer shadowed with blackness
The sky is very dark, and there is probably no sunlight
No shelter or help is nigh
The boat is alone and unprotected in the midst of the storm
Carest Thou not that we perish?
The people in the boat are afraid and wonder why Jesus doesn't seem to care about their safety
How canst Thou lie asleep
Why is Jesus sleeping when they are in danger?
When each moment so madly is threatening
The danger is increasing each passing moment, and there doesn't seem to be a way out
A grave in the angry deep?
Their fear is that they will die and drown at sea
The winds and the waves shall obey my will, peace be still
Jesus has the power and authority to calm the storm
Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea
No matter how powerful the storm or dangerous the situation
Or demons or men or whatever it be
Whether the source of danger is from evil spirits or human beings, Jesus can calm the storm
No water can swallow the ship where lies the Master of ocean and earth and skies
As long as Jesus is with them, they will not sink, no matter how large the waves or how powerful the storm
They shall sweetly obey my will
The wind and waves will become calm once Jesus commands them to
Master, with anguish of spirit
The singer is in great emotional pain
I bow in my grief today
The singer is expressing humility and sadness
The depths of my sad heart are troubled
The artist is going through a difficult time, and his feelings reflect this
Oh, waken and save, I pray
The artist is asking Jesus to wake up and save him
Torrents of sin and of anguish
The singer is experiencing a great deal of emotional and spiritual turmoil
Sweep o'er my sinking soul
The singer is feeling overwhelmed and helpless
And I perish, I perish, dear Master
The artist feels like he is about to die
Oh, hasten and take control
The artist is asking Jesus to take charge and help him overcome his troubles
Master, the terror is over
The danger has passed, and the artist is expressing relief
The elements sweetly rest
The wind and waves are calm
Earth's sun in the calm lake is mirrored
The water has become so still that it is reflecting the light of the sun
And heaven's within my breast
The singer feels at peace and close to God
Linger, o blessed Redeemer
The singer is asking Jesus to stay with him
Leave me alone no more
The singer wants Jesus to be with him forever
And with joy I shall make the blest harbor
The artist is expressing his happiness and relief at reaching a place of safety
And rest on the blissful shore
The artist feels like he is going to a place of peace and happiness
Lyrics Ā© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES CLEVELAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheGospelWorld9
I was born in a Muslim family ...but the love that I have in my heart for Jesus Christ is huge ..I can proudly say that I am a Christian now and GOD has shown that he loves me too.
@autumnthomas845
Praise God!!
@A.L.M7793
These songs remind me when I had to go to church and the way my late mother had raised us. She was a church going woman and I appreciate everything she has done for me. My Lord Christ and Savior has freed me from the hands of cancer and I must give him the praise and this song reminds me of this.
@Alreese-eb5qi
We grew up in the church where we herd the best gospel music. What happen to that beautiful music.
@debrashorts2301
My mom dedicated this song to her mother, Susie Walker and now I dedicate this song to my mother Ella Jones. They have transitioned to be with the LORD. I miss them so very much! God is myĀ strength and comforter! Jesus is my Lord and Savior! May God bless you all, Amen
@pamelachavious9235
This. Is. What. The. World. Needs. Peace. Be. Still. Amen
@TheCarterem
Thank you my Heavenly Father. On October 30, 2012, the Doctor told me, "your Prostate Cancer is no longer there."
@allahdivine2530
Emil Carter...SO HAPPY FOR YOU BELOVED...SO HAPPY. PRESENTLY IAM LOOKING FOR...PRAYING FOR AND INDEED DO EXPECT THIS VERY SAME MIRACLE FOR MY 13YEAR OLD SUN. BLEEDING FROM BOTH PRIVATE AREAS NOSE AND MOUTH. KILLING ME AND NOT SOFTLY. SPEAKING WITH THE MASTER I PROMISED THAT IAM WILL NEVER EVER AGAIN IN LIFE ASK FOR ANYTHING ELSE WHAT SO EVER UNTIL MY LAST BREATH.NO MATTER WHAT THE SEASON I SHALL KEEP MY WORD MY BOND. IAM ALLAH DIVINE ALONE. SO HAPPY FOR YOU BELOVED. PEACE.
@aliceyoung4513
This song is what is needed in the š today, I've love this song since I was a child, I'm 72yrs old I it still touches my soul Amen Thank You Rev Cleveland For Your Musicā¤ā¤ā¤
@crochet49
I never tire of the Glorious way his Hymns bring the Spirit to lifešš¾. God not only gave him a voice, but gave him the passion to truly use it.