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
You Delivered Me
Larnelle Harris Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been saying to myself
Who would show me so much goodness and mercy
Only You and nobody else
I've seen my share of hard times
I've had troubles and pain
I've often wondered when You would come and rescue me
Maybe I won't ever know why
I had to go through the storm
But I know who delivered me
Maybe I won't ever know how You reached me in time
But I know You delivered me
Every time I call on Your name
You deliver me
I've been looking for a simple opportunity
Lord, I feel I need to say
You have been there for me
When I needed You
You always helped me find my way
I saw Your hand coming for me
I knew it had to be You
I felt Your love wrap around me
You gave me strength to get through
Maybe I won't ever know why
I had to go through the storm
But I know who delivered me
Maybe I won't ever know how You reached me in time
But I know You delivered me
Every time I call on Your name
You deliver me
Larnelle Harris's song "You Delivered Me" talks about the artist's gratitude to the Lord for all that He has done. The first verse focuses on his appreciation for the Lord's goodness and mercy, as he recognizes that nobody else could have shown him such love. In his life, he has seen his share of hard times, troubles, and pain, and he has often wondered why the Lord allowed him to go through them. However, he acknowledges that every time he has needed the Lord, He has always come to the rescue.
In the second verse, Harris speaks to the Lord directly, thanking Him for always being there when he needed Him, even when he was looking for a simple opportunity. He testifies that he saw the Lord's hand coming for him, and he knew it had to be the work of the Lord. He credits the Lord's love with giving him strength to get through difficult times.
The chorus highlights Harris's faith in the Lord's power and willingness to answer his calls for help. He may not always know why he had to endure a storm, or how the Lord reached him in time, but he knows that the Lord delivered him every time he called on His name.
In summary, "You Delivered Me" is a song of thankfulness for the constant presence of the Lord and His ability to deliver His people from challenging and difficult situations.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been thinking about all that You have done for me, Lord
I am reflecting on all the ways You have blessed me in my life, Lord
I've been saying to myself
I have been silently contemplating
Who would show me so much goodness and mercy
Who else would show me such immense kindness and forgiveness
Only You and nobody else
I realize that only You, and no one else, could give me so much
I've seen my share of hard times
I have faced many difficulties
I've had troubles and pain
I have experienced much suffering
I've often wondered when You would come and rescue me
I have frequently asked myself when You would relieve me from my struggles
The answer's always the same
The answer is consistently that You are there for me
Maybe I won't ever know why
Perhaps I will never understand why
I had to go through the storm
I had to face the difficulties in my life
But I know who delivered me
However, I am certain that You were the one to bring me through it
Maybe I won't ever know how You reached me in time
Maybe I will never understand how You always came to me at the right moment
But I know You delivered me
But what I do know is that You brought me through it all
Every time I call on Your name
Every time I reach out to You
You deliver me
You are always there to help and support me
I've been looking for a simple opportunity
I have been searching for a chance
Lord, I feel I need to say
Lord, I feel compelled to tell You
You have been there for me
You have been by my side
When I needed You
Whenever I have needed You
You always helped me find my way
You have always guided me
I saw Your hand coming for me
I felt Your presence and knew that You were there for me
I knew it had to be You
I was certain that it was You who was coming to my aid
I felt Your love wrap around me
I felt enveloped in Your love and support
You gave me strength to get through
Your strength helped me persevere
Contributed by Wyatt Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.