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
I'll Help You Cry
Larnelle Harris Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and you've done all that you know to help
Why you'd even take the load they bear
and carry it yourself
But if there seems there’s nothing you can do
Don't just turn and walk away
This may be the time and place
When all you can say
I'll help you cry.
Lay your head on my shoulder and I
won't let you shed your tears alone.
Take my hand - only say the word
and I'll stay right here by your side.
Right by your side!
I have no words to ease the pain...
I don't know how it all will end,
I'm your friend and I'll help you cry.
With all the words to choose from
with every prayer that the soul can bring.
Still the mending of a broken heart is never a simple thing
for every piece of every fragile heart
must be handled with such care.
For only God can heal the heart and
this word you can share...
I'll help you cry.
Lay your head on my shoulder and I
won't let you shed your tears alone.
Take my hand - only say the word
and I'll stay right here by your side.
Right by your side!
I have no words to ease the pain...
I don't know how it all will end,
but I'm your friend and I'll help you cry.
I used to think that heartaches were meant to hide,
that it was a sign of strength
to keep it all up inside,
but I found out that healing began
when I let someone in who said...
I'll help you cry.
Lay your head on my shoulder and I
won't let you shed your tears alone.
Take my hand - only say the word
and I'll stay right here by your side.
Right by your side!
I have no words to ease the pain...
I don't know how it all will end,
and I'm your friend and
I'll help you cry.
The first verse of the song refers to a situation where someone we love is in pain or hurting, and we have exhausted all the possibilities we can think of to alleviate that pain. The singer of the song, who is trying to comfort the person in distress, empathizes with their pain and offers to help them cry. The singer admits they cannot completely erase the pain, but they can offer a shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold, and a friend to stand by them during tough times.
The chorus repeats the refrain of "I'll help you cry" and reinforces the message that the singer can offer a compassionate presence to the person who is suffering. The lyrics imply that sometimes the best way to help someone going through a tough time is just to offer them a comforting presence, especially when words and actions are insufficient.
The second verse and bridge describe how the healing process begins when we allow others to comfort us during difficult times. The singer mentions that they used to think hiding pain was a sign of strength, but they eventually realized that letting others in and accepting their help was the best way to begin healing. The bridge of the song discusses the fragility of a healing heart and how we must handle it with care, reminding us that although we may not always know how to heal someone's pain entirely, we can offer our support to ease their burden.
Line by Line Meaning
Someone you love is hurting,
You know that someone you truly care about is suffering emotionally.
and you've done all that you know to help
You've tried everything in your power to assist them with their pain.
Why you'd even take the load they bear
You would even help carry their burden if it meant lightening their load.
and carry it yourself
You would gladly take on your loved one's struggles if it meant easing their pain.
But if there seems there’s nothing you can do
If you've exhausted all your options for helping them, and it seems like you can't make a significant difference.
Don't just turn and walk away
Don't abandon them even when you don't know the best course of action.
This may be the time and place
Perhaps this is the moment where your friend needs your support the most.
When all you can say
In times like these, all you can do is show up for your friend.
I'll help you cry.
I'll be present for you through every emotional bout, and offer solace wherever possible.
Lay your head on my shoulder and I
I will provide a shoulder for you to lean on and cry out your pain.
won't let you shed your tears alone.
I promise to cry with you, provide a sense of compassion, and help alleviate your loneliness.
Take my hand - only say the word
Just say the word, and I will be by your side. No matter what.
and I'll stay right here by your side.
I will be there for you as long as it takes - until you begin to feel some sort of comfort.
Right by your side!
I won't leave you to handle this on your own - I'll be by your side every step of the way.
I have no words to ease the pain...
I'm aware that my words won't take the pain away, but it's a start to try and make you feel that you're not alone.
I don't know how it all will end,
I can't predict the future and guarantee that things will eventually get better.
I'm your friend and I'll help you cry.
But, as your friend, I'm dedicated to being here for you, even if it means joining you in tears.
With all the words to choose from
Despite the abundance of language we have to offer comfort, soothing a broken heart is always exceedingly hard to do.
with every prayer that the soul can bring.
Even though we can offer prayers of healing, soothing emotional pain never becomes a simple task.
Still the mending of a broken heart is never a simple thing
It remains a difficult job to restore someone's heart once it's been shattered by profound grief and sorrow.
for every piece of every fragile heart
For every single segment that has broken, shattered, and fragmented throughout the process of healing.
must be handled with such care.
Every piece must be handled delicately to avoid more hurt and pain.
For only God can heal the heart and
Only God has the power to heal a broken heart, and we can only rely on his intervention.
this word you can share...
But as your friend, all I can promise is to be by your side and offer my full support throughout this process.
I used to think that heartaches were meant to hide,
There was a time when I believed the pain we experience should always be kept secret and hidden away.
that it was a sign of strength
I thought it demonstrated exceptional resilience and willpower.
to keep it all up inside,
To shoulder the burden on their own rather than letting others help.
but I found out that healing began
After gaining experience with love, loss, and life, I learned that the mending process starts.
when I let someone in who said...
When I allowed a friend or loved one to be there for me and offer emotional support during my most challenging and trying times.
Contributed by Adalyn F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Phillisa Jones Prescott
Beautiful.
Ivan Slicker
Beautiful, love Larnelle Harris!!!
Elaine Morris
I go to this song so many times. 💗