"I grew up in Saginaw, Michigan, the youngest of five children. We had a family group. Singing in church became a release for me," Cole says. "Community Temple Church for God and Christ. I sang in the choir and our family sang as a group in church."
When he was fourteen, the family moved to Danville, Illinois. After school, Cole returned to Flint, Michigan, to work in the music business. One day he saw a girl whom he had not only grown up with but who had lived on the other end of his block.
"I knew who she was right away. I couldn't forget that face," says Cole. "It wasn't until we were dating that I told her I was the guy who used to throw rocks at her to get her attention." That girl, Anissa, became his wife.
Honing his skills as a Gospel and R&B singer, Marcus Cole moved with Anissa to Atlanta for a short time. His big break, though, came once again in Michigan. Singing in a showcase for Jive/Verity Records, he struck up a conversation with Mitchell Jones of the legendary Gospel group 'Commissioned'. "We were just talking about music," Cole explains. "He didn't mention joining the group then."
"A few months later, they called me and asked me to come to Grand Rapids to audition. So I did and then the next thing I know I'm singing with them in a New Year's Eve concert at Radio City Music Hall. That was my first time with Commissioned and Marvin Sapp's last."
That was 1998 and Cole stayed with the group through its breakup, recording a Christmas album, "Time and Seasons," and the famous Reunion album in 2004. "It wasn't really a breakup as much as a dissolve," he says. "With the Reunion album, which I was flattered to be a part of, it was the culmination of the group - for both old members and new members -- and it was time to move on."
Like other members of 'Commissioned', Cole doesn't just sing the Gospel, he preaches it, too. At the invitation of Sheryl Brady and Bishop Joby Brady of The River church in Durham, North Carolina, Cole, Anissa, and their four kids, ages six through sixteen, moved to North Carolina five months ago.
Marcus Cole is a Worship Minister in the nondenominational church. Besides his duties in services, he also joins the Bradys at conferences and in other worship opportunities. He is starting an album next month with The River Church choirs.
He also does concerts around the country as well as joining nine-time Grammy winner CeCe Winans in concert. Winans is head of PureSprings Gospel, which signed Cole last year. He will start working on a worship album in February.
Marcus gets his musical inspiration from a variety of sources. "I have a very eclectic ear," he says. The Winans, Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Rascal Flatts, James Taylor and Shania Twain are just a few of his favorite artists. "I stay fresh and inspired listening to all kinds of music."
And it is no doubt that both his ministry and his music will remain both fresh and inspired. "The music I sing is about my relation with God," Cole says. "The more I learn about God, the sweeter the music is for me.
Bless My Soul
Marcus Cole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I′ve often wondered why I'm here?
Finding consolation through my tears.
My one desire is to be more sincere.
Author of my blessed destiny, complete the work
That you've done begun in me, til′ the day when I rest
At your feet.
But until then, I rest within your peace.
Bless my soul, please bless my soul,
I have come to far, now to let go. I can behold if you
Would
Bless my soul.
I have learned to let all ambitions go, in exchange
For the things you hold. So now wash me Lord
Now through and through, my heart will sing,
A song of gratitude so...()
Repeat again.
I can behold if you would bless my soul. (musical
Interlude follows)
Proclamation
Now more than anything, I need you just to bless my
Soul.More than the money; I need you just to bless my soul.
Give me integrity, (thank you) I need you just to bless
My soul.
Give me longevity (ooh Lord) I need you just to bless
My soul.
Now more than anything Lord, I need you just to bless
My soul.
Make me a better witness, I need you just to bless my
Soul.
I need your spirit, thank you, I need you to just bless
My soul.
I need you, I need you, I need you Lord, I need thee to
Bless my soul!
In "Bless My Soul," Marcus Cole reveals the depth and intensity of his spirituality through his quest for divine blessing. Through the years, he's searched for love and wondered why he exists. However, he has comforted himself with tears, seeking solace within God's peace and aspiring to be more genuine in his demeanor. Cole is aware that his destiny is written by a Higher Power who has started working in him and will finish the job. He wishes to rest at God's feet when the task is complete. Though he has come a long way, Cole knows he can't let go now, and he implores God to bless his soul.
The song's chorus resolves Cole's plea, the statement that pushes the theme of the song. Cole understands that divine blessings aren't just in the form of financial gain or temporal accumulation. He needs help finding integrity, longevity, and everything else that leads to spiritual success as a faithful servant. The closing verse emphasizes Cole's fervent plea for God's blessings, acknowledging that everything he is and wishes to be originates from God's power. Therefore, he begs for God's presence and grace to inundate his soul to make him worthy of the blessings.
Line by Line Meaning
I’ve inquired bout' your love through the years.
I have searched and asked about your love for me over the years.
I’ve often wondered why I'm here?
I have pondered the purpose of my existence.
Finding consolation through my tears.
I have found comfort in my sadness.
My one desire is to be more sincere.
I long to be more genuine and authentic.
Author of my blessed destiny, complete the work that you've done begun in me, til′ the day when I rest at your feet.
Creator of my destiny, finish the good work you have started in me, until I can rest in your presence.
But until then, I rest within your peace.
Until that day, I find tranquility in your presence.
And bless my soul, please bless my soul.
Please bestow your blessings upon me.
Bless my soul, please bless my soul, I have come to far, now to let go. I can behold if you Would Bless my soul.
I have come too far on this journey to give up now. I can accomplish much more if you bless me.
I have learned to let all ambitions go, in exchange For the things you hold. So now wash me Lord Now through and through, my heart will sing, A song of gratitude so...
I have let go of my own desires in exchange for what you have planned for me. Now clean me completely and my heart will sing a song of gratitude.
Proclamation Now more than anything, I need you just to bless my Soul.More than the money; I need you just to bless my soul. Give me integrity, (thank you) I need you just to bless My soul. Give me longevity (ooh Lord) I need you just to bless My soul. Now more than anything Lord, I need you just to bless my soul. Make me a better witness, I need you just to bless my Soul. I need your spirit, thank you, I need you to just bless My soul. I need you, I need you, I need you Lord, I need thee to Bless my soul!
I declare that above all else, I need your blessings. More than money, I need your blessings. Please give me integrity, longevity, and make me a better witness for you. I need your spirit and your blessings more than anything.
Writer(s): Luther Hanes
Contributed by Lincoln B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.