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
Sweet Little Jesus Boy
Larnelle Harris Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sweet little Jesus boy
Sweet little Jesus boy
They made You be born in a manger (sweet little Jesus boy)
Sweet little Holy Child
Didn't know who You was (little Jesus boy)
Didn't know You'd come to save us, Lord
I once was blind, we couldn't see
We didn't know who You was
(Sweet little Jesus)
(Sweet little Jesus boy)
Long time ago (long time ago, long time ago)
You was born (long time ago You was born)
Born in a manger low (born long ago, born long ago)
Sweet little Jesus boy (sweet little Jesus boy)
The world treat You mean, Lord
Treat me mean too
But please, Sir, forgive us Lord
We didn't know 'twas You
(Sweet little Jesus)
(Sweet little Jesus boy)
Sweet little Jesus boy
Born long time ago
Sweet little Holy Child
And we didn't know who You was
(Sweet little Jesus)
(Sweet little Jesus boy)
The lyrics of "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" by Larnelle Harris tell the story of Jesus' birth and reflect on the ignorance and mistreatment He faced during His time on Earth. The song begins by acknowledging Jesus as a sweet and holy child, born in a humble manger. It emphasizes that people did not recognize Him for who He truly was and were unaware of His purpose to save humanity from their sins. The lyrics speak of the blindness that existed before Jesus' arrival, both literally and metaphorically, as a representation of the lack of understanding and recognition of His divinity.
The song paints a picture of the harsh treatment Jesus endured throughout His life, with the plea for forgiveness from the believers who now understand that Jesus, the sweet little Jesus boy, was the son of God. The lyrics express regret that they didn't recognize Him and were blind to His true identity. The repetition of "Sweet little Jesus" throughout the song emphasizes the innocence and vulnerability of Jesus as a child and serves as a way to express reverence and love for Him.
"Sweet Little Jesus Boy" is a powerful and emotionally charged song that reminds listeners to not only reflect on the humble beginnings of Jesus but also to recognize the importance of His sacrifice and the need for forgiveness.
Line by Line Meaning
Sweet little Jesus
Gentle and innocent Jesus
Sweet little Jesus boy
Cherished baby Jesus
Sweet little Jesus boy They made You be born in a manger (sweet little Jesus boy)
You were born in a humble manger, sweet baby Jesus
Sweet little Holy Child Didn't know who You was (little Jesus boy)
Pure and sacred Son of God, we didn't recognize Your true identity, dear baby Jesus
Didn't know You'd come to save us, Lord To take our sins away
We were unaware that You came to save us, Lord, and cleanse us of our sins
I once was blind, we couldn't see We didn't know who You was
We were spiritually blind and unaware of Your divine nature
(Sweet little Jesus) (Sweet little Jesus boy)
(Gentle baby Jesus) (Cherished little Jesus)
Long time ago (long time ago, long time ago) You was born (long time ago You was born)
Many years ago (many years ago, many years ago) You were born (You were born long ago)
Born in a manger low (born long ago, born long ago) Sweet little Jesus boy (sweet little Jesus boy)
You were born in a humble manger (born long ago, born long ago), dear baby Jesus
The world treat You mean, Lord Treat me mean too
The world treated You with cruelty, Lord, and they do the same to me
But please, Sir, forgive us Lord We didn't know 'twas You
But please, forgive us, Lord, we were unaware that it was You
(Sweet little Jesus) (Sweet little Jesus boy)
(Gentle baby Jesus) (Cherished little Jesus)
Sweet little Jesus boy Born long time ago
Beloved baby Jesus, You were born many years ago
Sweet little Holy Child And we didn't know who You was
Pure and sacred Son of God, and we didn't recognize Your true identity
(Sweet little Jesus) (Sweet little Jesus boy)
(Gentle baby Jesus) (Cherished little Jesus)
Lyrics © DistroKid, CARL FISCHER, LLC
Written by: Robert Macgimsey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind