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 Want To Know Christ
Larnelle Harris Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know I have found what some only have dreamed
I hold in my heart the pearl of great price
Dear God, hear my cry
I want to know Christ
I want to know Christ
I keep Him before me
I drink in His glory
I press toward the goal
His goodness unfolds
March on, oh my soul
I want to know
I want to know Christ
I know that my path is the way of the cross
So I count what I gain and forget what I′ve lost
In pain there is joy
In death there is life
Dear God, hear my cry
I want to know Christ
I want to know Christ
I keep Him before me
I lift up my eyes
I drink in His glory
I press toward the goal
His goodness unfolds
March on, oh my soul
I want to know
I want to know Christ
And the things that entangle me
I lay them down
All the treasures and trophies of life
Let them be lost
Only let me be found in Christ
For I want to know
Yes I want to know
I want to know Christ
I keep Him before me
I lift up my eyes
I drink in His glory
I press toward the goal
His goodness unfolds
March on, oh my soul
I want to know
I want to know Christ
In "I Want To Know Christ," Larnelle Harris expresses his desire to know Jesus more intimately. He begins by acknowledging that he has already discovered salvation and experienced what others have only dreamt of. He desires to hold onto the "pearl of great price," which is only found in Christ. He then proclaims his intention to keep Christ before him, to lift up his eyes, to drink in Christ's glory, and to press on toward the goal of knowing him more. Harris acknowledges that this path is challenging and often involves suffering, but he chooses to count his gains as loss for the sake of knowing Christ. He lays down the things that entangle him and desires to be found only in Christ.
The lyrics of this song represent a deeply personal and vulnerable expression of faith. Harris's desire to know Christ more fully is not just an intellectual pursuit, but a spiritual one. He recognizes that there is a cost to following Jesus, but it is worth it to experience the joy and life that comes with knowing him. This song is a call to all believers to seek a deeper relationship with Jesus, laying aside the things that entangle and distract us from that pursuit.
Line by Line Meaning
I know that I know that my life is redeemed
I am certain that my life has been saved through redemption
I know I have found what some only have dreamed
I have discovered what others have only imagined
I hold in my heart the pearl of great price
I cherish the valuable treasure that I have found
Dear God, hear my cry
I am requesting God's attention and help
I want to know Christ
I desire to have a deeper, personal relationship with Jesus
I keep Him before me
I constantly focus on and prioritize Jesus in my life
I lift up my eyes
I look up to Jesus for guidance and inspiration
I drink in His glory
I am absorbing and enjoying the radiant goodness of God
I press toward the goal
I am striving towards achieving my objective in life
His goodness unfolds
I am experiencing the unfolding of God's kindness and blessings
March on, oh my soul
I keep moving forward with perseverance and strength
I know that my path is the way of the cross
I understand that my journey may involve suffering and sacrifice
So I count what I gain and forget what I′ve lost
I focus on the positive outcomes and let go of past losses
In pain there is joy
I can find happiness even in difficult circumstances
In death there is life
Through death, there can be a new beginning or eternal life
And the things that entangle me I lay them down
I release the things that hold me back or distract me
All the treasures and trophies of life let them be lost
I am willing to let go of material possessions or accomplishments
Only let me be found in Christ
My identity is rooted in my connection with Jesus
For I want to know
I have a strong desire to understand and experience
Yes I want to know
I am emphatically expressing my desire to know Christ
Writer(s): Hudson Michael V, Driskell Gary Lee
Contributed by Kayla K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@xabisahamilton4083
I know that I know that my life is redeemed
I know I have found what some only have dreamed
I hold in my heart the pearl of great price
Dear God, hear my cry
I want to know Christ
CHORUS:
I want to know Christ
I keep Him before me
I lift up my eyes
I drink in His glory
I press toward the goal
His goodness unfolds
March on , oh my soul
I want to know
I want to know Christ
I know that my path is the way of the cross
So I count what I gain and forget what I've lost
In pain there is joy
In death there is life
Dear God, hear my cry
I want to know Christ
Repeat Chorus
And the things that entangle me
I lay them down
All the treasures and trophies of life
Let them be lost
Only let me be found in Christ
For I want to know
Yes I want to know
Repeat Chorus
@4themusicman
This was one of my most favorite times in Christian music. Big, bombastic, sweeping orchestration with powerful vocals. The 3 powerhouse vocalists consisting of Larnelle, Steve Green, and Sandi Patty was some of the most gifted and anointed music of my lifetime. I miss those days. But thank God we have the means by which to capture that inspiration again and again. From A Servant's Heart and For God And God Alone are 2 of my most treasured pieces of music. Soli deo Gloria!!
@johnh6356
Hallelujah to the Lamb of God!
@mjhunter502
You took the words right out of my mouth!
@johnh6356
what a song!!!! I love you Jesus. I want to truly know You! Let it be so, and for my wife and children also, in Jesus Name!
@patriciamyers9530
O I want to know christ, indeed what earnest request. It grip my heart ♥ I keep him before me. What will heaven be like, help us all to be there.
@josephdriskell4042
I"m sitting here listening to this song written by my son, Gary Driskell and count it one of my blessings as he
@jeanottignon3947
You are blessed, sir.
@maerobinson9511
Christ IN YOU. The hope of glory. My yoke is easy and burden is light.
@keelieyohara7246
Amén!!
@juanitaalvarez2844
So Beautiful song!!!