A native of Danville, Kentucky[1], Harris started playing the piano by age 9. His first formal vocal training came when he attended college at Western Kentucky University, from which he graduated in 1969. He later became a part of the popular Gospel touring group "The Spurlows." He gained fame with both his solo work, and his work as part of the Gaither Vocal Band, headed by Gospel musician and recording executive Bill Gaither.
His many live and televised appearances include Live with Regis and Kathie Lee, The 700 Club, several Billy Graham crusades, the Trinity Broadcasting Network, numerous Gaither Homecoming shows, and his own Christmas special. In his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, Harris has made many appearances on the WHAS Crusade for Children, a long-running local telethon benefitting children's charities.
Of his many chart-topping songs, perhaps his best-known are his duets with Sandi Patty called, "More than Wonderful" and "I've Just Seen Jesus." His song, "Mighty Spirit" was featured in a 1993 television campaign for the Points of Light Foundation, headed by President George H. W. Bush; he performed the song for Bush and his wife Barbara at the White House.
Harris has received an honorary doctorate of music from Campbellsville University in central Kentucky. He was inducted into the Western Kentucky University Hall of Distinguished Alumni in 1993.
Harris, his wife Cynthia, and children Lonnie and Teresa have lived in Louisville for more than three decades. Despite his schedule, Harris serves as a deacon in his home church, and previously served as its treasurer. Harris is well-known within the Gospel music industry for his reluctance to schedule performances that take him away from his family for any length of time.
from Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larnelle_Harris
A Mighty Fortress
Larnelle Harris Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Warrior of the ages
A mighty fortress is our Lord
Worthy of our praises
Jesus is the Captain of Salvation
Carrying out His Father’s perfect battle plan
Waging war against the force of darkness
Forcing back the rising tide of evil
Listen for He sounds the battle cry again
Calling all His soldiers to the conflict
Placing the weapons in our hands
Clothed in the armor of the Lord we’ll stand
A mighty fortress is our God
Warrior of the ages
A mighty fortress is our Lord
Worthy of our praises
Feel His courage rise from deep within you
Feel His strength and power as you join with Him
Understand that His mighty presence is in you
The shout of victory will be heard
We are empowered by His Holy Word
A mighty fortress is our God
Warrior of the ages
A mighty fortress is our Lord
Worthy of our praises
He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords
He is Almighty living forevermore
All power and strength belong unto Him
A mighty fortress is our God
Warrior of the ages
A mighty fortress is our Lord
Worthy of our praises
The lyrics of Larnelle Harris's "A Mighty Fortress" speak to the power and strength of God in the face of darkness and evil. The song makes use of martial imagery, depicting Jesus as the "Captain of Salvation" who is carrying out a battle plan against the forces of darkness. With all of heaven's power at His command, Jesus is forcing back the rising tide of evil and calling all of His soldiers to the conflict. The song encourages the listener to join in the battle, putting on the "armor of the Lord" and standing strong against the forces of evil.
The song draws upon the language of Martin Luther's "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," a hymn first published in 1529. In Luther's hymn, God is depicted as a mighty fortress and a bulwark who helps and defends His people. Harris reimagines this imagery in a more militaristic context, depicting God as a warrior and Jesus as a captain leading His soldiers into battle.
Overall, the lyrics of "A Mighty Fortress" speak to the strength and power of God and the importance of standing firm in the face of darkness and evil. The song encourages listeners to take up arms and fight alongside Jesus, empowered by His Holy Word and His mighty presence within them.
Line by Line Meaning
A mighty fortress is our God
Jesus is a powerful force who protects us from harm
Warrior of the ages
He is a champion who battles evil throughout history
A mighty fortress is our Lord
Jesus is our protector and leader
Worthy of our praises
He deserves our adoration and worship
Jesus is the Captain of Salvation
Jesus leads us in the struggle against evil
Carrying out His Father’s perfect battle plan
He executes God's plan for victory over sin
Waging war against the force of darkness
He fights against the powers of evil in the world
All heaven's power at His command
He has the power and authority of heaven at His disposal
Forcing back the rising tide of evil
He stands strong against the onslaught of evil forces
Listen for He sounds the battle cry again
He calls us to action in the battle against sin
Calling all His soldiers to the conflict
He rallies all believers to fight for what is right
Placing the weapons in our hands
He gives us the tools we need to fight alongside Him
Clothed in the armor of the Lord we’ll stand
We are equipped with God's protection and strength
Feel His courage rise from deep within you
We gain courage from His strength within us
Feel His strength and power as you join with Him
We draw strength from partnering with Jesus in the battle against evil
Understand that His mighty presence is in you
We are not alone in the fight, for Jesus is with us
The shout of victory will be heard
We will celebrate eventual triumph over evil
We are empowered by His Holy Word
The Bible gives us strength and guidance in the fight against sin
He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords
Jesus is the ultimate ruler and authority over all things
He is Almighty living forevermore
Jesus is all-powerful and immortal
All power and strength belong unto Him
He has complete control and authority in all things
Contributed by Kylie P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
1stP3&10
Psalms 46:1, 2 " God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;" ...
Jannier Salazar
Que potente voz gloria a Dios
Erika Bennett
A mighty fortress! Hallelujah!
Kim Horton
This bridge is everything.
howardem40
Excellent!!!
Richard Callaway
AMEN
quasimoto270
awesome!
Rodney Bevil, LMFT
Deut. 33