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've Just Seen Jesus
Larnelle Harris Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It is finished, he said
We had watched as his life ebbed away
Then we all stood around
Till the guards took him down
Joseph begged for his body that day
It was late afternoon
Wrapped his body and sealed up the grave
So I know how you feel
His death was so real
But please listen and hear what I say
I've just seen Jesus
I tell you he's alive
I've just seen Jesus
Our precious Lord alive
And I knew, he really saw me too
As if till now, I'd never lived
All that I'd done before
Won't matter anymore
I've just seen Jesus
And I'll never be the same again
It was his voice she first heard
Those kind gentle words
Asking what was her reason for tears
And I sobbed in despair
My Lord is not there
He said, child! it is I, I am here!
I've just seen Jesus
I tell you he's alive
I've just seen Jesus
Our precious lord alive
And I knew, he really saw me too
As if till now, I'd never lived
All that I'd done before
Won't matter anymore
I've just seen Jesus
I've just seen Jesus
I've just seen Jesus
All that I'd done before
Won't matter anymore
I've just seen Jesus
And I'll never be the same again
I've just seen Jesus!
The lyrics of Larnelle Harris's song "I've Just Seen Jesus" describe the experience of Mary Magdalene and the other disciples after Jesus's death and resurrection. The first stanza is about the immediate aftermath of Jesus's death, as the disciples mourned and Joseph of Arimathea asked for Jesus's body so that he could give him a proper burial. The second stanza recounts Mary Magdalene's visit to Jesus's tomb, where she was surprised to find that his body was missing. Then, she heard Jesus's voice and was overjoyed to learn that he had risen from the dead.
Overall, the message of the song is one of hope and transformation. The experience of seeing Jesus alive after his death changes the perspective of the singer, who declares that nothing in their life before this moment will matter anymore. The repetition of the line "I've just seen Jesus" emphasizes the profound impact of the encounter and the subsequent belief in Jesus's resurrection.
The lyrics of "I've Just Seen Jesus" reflect the central themes of Easter and the Christian faith, which emphasize the power of resurrection and the possibility of faith transforming lives. Through the story of Mary Magdalene and the other disciples, this song highlights the joy and wonder of encountering Jesus Christ in a personal way, even after his earthly death.
Line by Line Meaning
We knew he was dead
We were aware that he had died
It is finished, he said
He declared that his mission was accomplished
We had watched as his life ebbed away
We witnessed his life slowly slip away
Then we all stood around
We remained nearby
Till the guards took him down
Until the soldiers removed his body
Joseph begged for his body that day
Joseph requested his body be given to him
It was late afternoon
The time was near evening
When we got to the tomb
When we arrived at the burial site
Wrapped his body and sealed up the grave
We wrapped his body and closed the tomb
So I know how you feel
I empathize with your emotions
His death was so real
His passing was truly felt
But please listen and hear what I say
But please pay attention to my words
I've just seen Jesus
I have just witnessed the presence of Jesus
I tell you he's alive
I can confirm that he is alive
Our precious Lord alive
Our dear Lord has come back to life
And I knew, he really saw me too
I felt that he truly noticed me as well
As if till now, I'd never lived
It was like my life before this was meaningless
All that I'd done before
Everything I had accomplished prior to this moment
Won't matter anymore
Is no longer of importance
It was his voice she first heard
She heard his voice first
Those kind gentle words
His words were kind and gentle
Asking what was her reason for tears
Inquired as to the reason for her sadness
And I sobbed in despair
I wept in sorrow
My Lord is not there
I cannot find my Lord
He said, child! it is I, I am here!
He comforted me by revealing himself to me
And I'll never be the same again
I have been transformed by this experience
I've just seen Jesus!
I am in awe of having seen Jesus
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Capitol CMG Publishing, Integrity Music, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Danny Daniels, Gloria Gaither, William J. Gaither
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tomshehidmusic4227
Sandi & Larnelle are simply outstanding.
It's not hard to fathom why they both received the ovation they more than deserved here.
It really is true - Take care of your voice, your voice will take care of you!
Something that REALLY stuck out/further impressed me here is Larnelles' breath support, precision in pitch, ease, clarity, resonance, power, perfect placement, use of vibrato and straight tone all within the final two notes of this performance on "Je - sus".
Notice how Larnelle sings "Je -" with an instant onset of vibrato and power (difficult vowel to execute when using upper chest voice or mixed voice, especially when sustaining a note WITH vibrato!!), then takes NO breath at all, sustains the final note ("sus") using straight tone allowing resonance to cut through beautifully, maintaining support and power, an open throat placement with no pitch issues AFTER a difficult transition from the previous "E" vowel, onsets vibrato again at the perfect time to punctuate that last note with class - Utter ear candy! This man is in complete command of his instrument and he gives all his thanks to his faith and doesn't idolise himself which is so refreshing and inspiring. Take care of your voice, your voice will take care of you!
Whether you follow a religion or not, you can't deny the feeling of faith/spirit that this testimony brings and the passion and complete devotion both Sandi and Larnelle have for theirs!
@TheTewjr
To call this a classic is an understatement. What a marvelous combination, and it has aged well. Beautiful!!!
@Angelbee1959
Who is listening to this during COVID 19? HALLELUJAH!
@teresaoquin1807
Me!!
@dkhnguess
Me. Can’t get enough of this song!
@thandoreviews8886
girl!
@amukelaningobeni4845
I am
@nancyclaggett2245
Mom is on her death bed. I played this for her. She smiled and lifted her hand.😢
@JacquelineJensen-he5en
A blessing my soul needed this morning after Easter!! He saw me too! April 1, 2024
@JamesEByler
This song, "I've Just Seen Jesus," as masterfully sung by Larnelle Harris and Sandi Patty, two very Sincerely Christian artists, sends "chills" up my spine! I so long to see MY Jesus, FACE TO FACE!!! And as the song says, I WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN!!!
@celestesantini7459
If this does not bring you to your knees , nothing will...amazing amazing nothing short of amazing