LOVE LETTERS, finds the Canadian vocalist putting a contemporary spin on the Gospel genre, blending the smooth R/B styling of Toni Braxton with the modern edge of Destiny's Child. Londa distinguishes herself from those Pop-world divas, with an energizing message of a faith that can overcome life's most horrendous trials. It's a message she delivers with unusual conviction, because it's one she has already lived.
"My music is for everybody and my message is for everybody," Londa asserts. "I don't want to leave anybody out. I want people to know that God hears everything, and He is there for them. He feels what we're feeling. I believe He cries when we're crying. I know He was crying with me. And He is there to comfort you."
Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, to Jamaican parents, Ethan and Evan, Londa's childhood was filled with Gospel music. Her church deacon father is also a musician and singer, while two out of her three brothers all sing and/or play instruments. Not surprisingly, family devotion time in the Larmond household was a musical affair, with everyone singing and playing.
The one rule, she recalls, concerned the type of music played on the family stereo: "It had to be Gospel," she laughs. "Richard Smallwood, Commissioned, or the Clark Sisters! But you know what I played in my room? Hip-hop, Reggae and R/B. I shouldn't have, but I did!" Londa was singing in church at the age of 7, and began performing professionally at 14 as a featured member of Toronto's renowned Youth Outreach Mass Choir. From there she honed her musical chops as a member of the Gospel Soul Sisters, before joining the internationally acclaimed Sharon Riley and Faith Chorale in 1995.
Londa's escapades with Faith Chorale led to an appearance in the blockbuster film, The Blues Brothers 2000. Under the direction of John Landis, Londa not only performed in the film, but also recorded on the Grammy nominated, Certified Gold (U.S.), soundtrack with Aretha Franklin, Erykah Badu, James Brown, Sam Moore, Taj Mahal, Bo Diddley, Isaac Hayes, Steve Winwood and Eric Clapton.
LOVE LETTERS is a jubilant collection, offering encouragement and hope in the face of despair. Produced by such industry heavyweights as Michael-Anthony "Mooki" Taylor (Stacy Orrico, DC Talk, TobyMac, TD Jakes) Asaph "Alex" Ward (Kim Burrell, Dorinda Clark-Cole), Sanchez Harley (Shirley Caesar, Kirk Franklin, Hezekiah Walker) and Montrel Darrett, the 10-song project showcases Londa's stunning vocal range.
Recently, Londa's debut album "Love Letters" has been acknowledged by international critics and consumers and her list of award credits continues to grow. A winner of the Canadian Urban Music Awards for Best Gospel Recording, Londa Larmond is a Dove Awards nominee for Urban Album of the Year and a strong contender for the 2001 JUNO Award for Best Gospel Album of the Year. "Love Letters" has proven itself to be a sample what Billboard Magazine (18/8/01) describes as "an inspiring step beyond more conventional gospel-R/B structure".
Ms. Larmond's passion for engaging an audience and colourful performance skills results in an explosive combination that is consistently pushing her to the forefront of the pack. Londa's material introduces a new genre of soulful-jazz and inspiration.
Larmond's electrifying vocals have been seen on Bobby Jones Gospel, Gospelfest, Ottawa Blues Festival, Montreal Gospelfest and at the Air Canada Centre where she sang the national anthem for the NBA's Toronto Raptors. Londa even had the distinct honour to sing for President George W. Bush and 33 other heads of state at the Summit of the Americas.
He Lives
Londa Larmond Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know my Redeemer liveth
And I know He lives inside of me
I know my Redeemer liveth
Through Him I am free
And I've got the victory
When I stop and think things over
Oh, I would still be bound
I can remember when I couldn't lift my hands
Or do my dance
But now I'm free
I've got the victory
Because He lives in me
(Channel)
I know my Redeemer lives
And He lives inside of me
The grave couldn't keep Him in
Hell had no victory
He hung and died on a cross
For you and for me
But on the third day He rose
And that's how I know my Redeemer lives
Now there's more to the story
But I can't tell
All I can say is
I was on my way to hell
Through His precious blood I'm saved
Through His love He forgave me
And took away all my sins
(Channel)
(Chorus)
The song "He Lives" by Londa Larmond is about the belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and how this belief brings freedom and victory in the lives of those who believe. In the chorus, she declares her faith that her Redeemer (Jesus) lives inside of her and through him, she is free and has the victory. She also acknowledges that if it had not been for him, she would still be bound. In the channel, she tells the story of Jesus' death on the cross and his resurrection on the third day, which is the basis of her faith in his life within her. She concludes by stating that she was saved by His precious blood and through His love, all her sins were taken away.
The lyrics of this song are inspiring and powerful, as they emphasize the importance of having faith in Jesus and the impact that faith can have on a person's life. The song encourages listeners not to be bound by their past or current situation, but to believe in the power of Jesus Christ to set them free and bring them victory.
Line by Line Meaning
I know my Redeemer liveth
I am certain that the one who has redeemed me from sin is alive and well
And I know He lives inside of me
I am convinced that he resides within me, giving me hope and strength
I know my Redeemer liveth
I am certain that he is alive, triumphant over death and sin
Through Him I am free
Through His death and resurrection, I am set free from the bondage of sin
And I've got the victory
I am victorious over sin and death because of his sacrifice
When I stop and think things over
Upon reflection, I realize
If it had not been for Him
That without His intervention,
Oh, I would still be bound
I would still be a slave to sin and its consequences
I can remember when I couldn't lift my hands
I recall a time when I was too weak to praise him physically
Or do my dance
I couldn't dance to express my joy in him
But now I'm free
Now that He is in me, I am liberated from the power of sin and death
Because He lives in me
It is because He resides in me, empowering me to live for Him
The grave couldn't keep Him in
The power of death was unable to hold him in the tomb
Hell had no victory
The forces of evil were defeated by Him
He hung and died on a cross
He suffered and died to pay the penalty for my sins
For you and for me
He did it not only for me but for all who would believe in Him
But on the third day He rose
Yet on the third day, He conquered sin and death by rising from the grave
And that's how I know my Redeemer lives
This is how I am certain that He is alive and active in my life today
Now there's more to the story
There are other aspects to His life, death, and resurrection
But I can't tell
Though it is beyond my comprehension to fully understand
All I can say is
I can only express this much:
I was on my way to hell
Without His grace, I would have been lost
Through His precious blood I'm saved
It is by His death and shedding of blood that I have been reconciled to God
Through His love He forgave me
He forgave me not because of my merits but because of His love and mercy
And took away all my sins
He has fully forgiven me and cleansed me from all my wrongdoing
Contributed by Nathan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.