Donald Lawrence has been an inspiration to many.Lawrence took on The Tri-City Singers after a friend vacated his position as musical director.[1] (NOTE: The three cities that The Tri-City Singers come from are Spartanburg, SC, Gastonia, NC, and Charlotte, NC.[2])
The group debuted in 1993 with A Songwriter's Point Of View on a then-brand-new independent record label called GospoCentric Records. The set debuted at #2 on the Billboard Top Gospel Charts.[3] The group's follow-up release Bible Stories would top those same charts when it arrived in 1995.[4] It was the first to be billed as Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers and featured black church-ubiquitous hits such as "A Message For The Saints", "I Am God" and "Stranger". The album was released on Lawrence's newly minted label Crystal Rose Records which was distributed through Sparrow Records.
In 1997, Donald Lawrence produced the live portion of Karen Clark Sheard's Grammy-nominated Finally Karen debut. Lawrence & Tri-City also released the seasonal Hello Christmas the same year. Later, Lawrence signed a contract with the Island Records imprint Island Inspirational. Though a live recording did take place for release,[1] the album never materialized.
In 2000, Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers signed to EMI Gospel. To promote the new album, a maxi CD of the lead single "Testify" to the mainstream. House remixes by Junior Vasquez sent the song to #33 on Billboard's Mainstream Dance Charts.[5] When tri-city4.com was finally released in late summer 2000, the set peaked at #2 on Billboard's Top Gospel Charts and #13 on Billboard's Heatseekers Charts.[3] The album also got a profile boost from the all-star standout "God's Favor", featuring vocal turns from Karen Clark Sheard, Kim Burrell, and Kelly Price.
Lawrence waited almost two years before delivering the follow-up Go Get Your Life Back in early 2002. "The Best is Yet to Come", a song sonically much in the vein of the previous smash "Testify," was chosen as the album's lead single. This release featured guest appearances from Ann Nesby (formerly of Sounds of Blackness) and gospel pioneer Bishop Walter Hawkins. The momentum continued with the 2003 release of Restoring The Years, a greatest hits album featuring two new songs.
The next album would mark a fresh start for Donald Lawrence. I Speak Life was his first solo album, the debut for his newly inked recording contract with Verity Records, and also the first release under his new sublabel Quiet Water Entertainment. Though the album was without The Tri-City Singers, guest appearances were plenteous. Donnie McClurkin, Hezekiah Walker, Faith Evans, Richard Smallwood, and Carl Thomas all contributed to the album. Even jazz notables Ramsey Lewis and Lalah Hathaway were on hand for a remake of the Bible Stories classic "Don't Forget To Remember". The effort earned Lawrence a total of 7 Stellar Award nominations, and 6 wins.[6]
In March 2006, The Tri-City Singers announced that they would retire, but not before one last live recording.[7] Finale: Act One and Finale: Act Two were released simultaneously on April 4, 2006. Each release was a CD/DVD set that chronicled the audio and video of one half of the concert, with packages that locked into one another respectively. A special edition of Finale was later released with both CDs and DVDs. The blowout concert included guest appearances from Bishop Walter Hawkins, Karen Clark Sheard, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Daryl Coley, LaShun Pace, Darwin Hobbs, and many other gospel luminaries.
The album's lead single "The Blessing Of Abraham" was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance in December 2006.[8] His sophomore solo album, The Law of Confession Part I was released in February 2009. Donald said in an interview that The Law of Confession, Part II will be released soon, but he's focusing on other projects.[9]
Never Seen the Righteous
The Tri-City Singers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seen a lot of situations unfold
Been a lot of places, met all kinds
But there's one thing that stays on my mind
Out of all the things I've done
All the places I've gone
And the things I've seen
Said, "I never seen the righteous forsaken"
Said, "I never seen the righteous forsaken"
Said, "I never seen the righteous forsaken
Nor his seed begging bread"
You don't have to worry about a thing
If you're holy and righteous
You don't have to worry about a thing
If you're holy and righteous
Said, "I never seen the righteous forsaken"
Said, "I never seen the righteous forsaken"
Said, "I never seen the righteous forsaken
Nor his seed begging bread"
I never seen it
The lyrics to The Tri-City Singers' song "Never Seen the Righteous" convey a message of unwavering faith and confidence in the power of righteousness. The opening verse describes the singer's life experiences, emphasizing the vast array of situations and people they have encountered. Despite all of these experiences, the one thing that stays on their mind is the idea that they have "never seen the righteous forsaken." This refrain is repeated throughout the song as the singer praises the ability of righteousness to protect and provide for those who possess it.
The song encourages listeners to strive for holiness and righteousness, assuring them that if they do so, they will never have to worry about anything. The second verse repeats the refrain and reinforces the idea that those who are righteous will never be left wanting or begging for bread. The final verse once again emphasizes the importance of righteousness, reminding the listener that if they can attain it, they too will be among the blessed who are never forsaken.
Overall, the lyrics of "Never Seen the Righteous" offer a message of hope and reassurance to those who seek to live a righteous life. The repeated refrain serves as a powerful affirmation of the singer's faith and experience, and encourages listeners to strive for the same level of righteousness in their own lives.
Line by Line Meaning
I was young and now I'm old
I've lived a long life and gained a lot of experience
Seen a lot of situations unfold
I've witnessed many events and outcomes
Been a lot of places, met all kinds
I've traveled to many locations and encountered various people
But there's one thing that stays on my mind
One idea remains prominent in my thoughts
Out of all the things I've done
Despite my numerous experiences
All the places I've gone
Regardless of the locations I've visited
And the things I've seen
And all that I have witnessed
Said, "I never seen the righteous forsaken"
I have never witnessed a truly righteous individual who has been abandoned or ignored by God
Said, "I never seen the righteous forsaken"
I have never seen a faithful and morally upright person being neglected or left behind
Said, "I never seen the righteous forsaken
I have never observed someone who follows the path of righteousness being deserted or forgotten
Nor his seed begging bread"
Nor have I seen the children of a righteous person in a state of desperation for sustenance
You don't have to worry about a thing
If you maintain a pure and virtuous lifestyle
If you're holy and righteous
If you live a life of good and moral excellence
Said, "I never seen the righteous forsaken"
There is no evidence to suggest that those following righteousness have been let down
Said, "I never seen the righteous forsaken"
There is no instance where the truly righteous have been unsupported
Said, "I never seen the righteous forsaken
No moral person has ever been abandoned or forsaken as a result of their goodness
Nor his seed begging bread"
The children of the righteous will never suffer from a lack of sustenance
I never seen it
I have never witnessed a righteous person being let down or unsupported
Contributed by Ellie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Samantha McCallum
Lyrics:
I was young, and now I'm old
Seen a lot of situations unfold;
Been a lot of places
Met all kinds
But there's one thing that stays on my mind:
Out of all the things I've done
All the places I've gone
And the things I've seen
Chorus:
Said I never, seen the righteous forsaken (3x)
Nor His seed begging bread
Bridge:
You don't have to worry about a thing
If you're holy and righteous
You don't have to worry about a thing
If you're holy and righteous
Chorus
Vamp:
I never seen it!
Neurolect Studios
Crazy story, I was 5 years old when this song was recorded. This recording was performed in front of me. I was there and watched this live. I had no idea how this song would touch me so many years later. I’m now 23 years old and remember this like it happened yesterday. Stay blessed!!!
Mny Mar
How blessed you were to witness this masterpiece unfold in front of you
bestvids
Data mad fire!!!!! This song is fire!!!!!
chrispleasantable
I was 6 when this song came out and I heard it a lot on the radio between 2000 and 2001. Speaking of which, in 2001 Donald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers closed out The 16th Annual Stellar Awards with this song
Ology
My man when the guitar solo went down did you feel something in to soul?!? That part gets me every time!!!
im4Christ4life
Where was this recorded live at?
LaVonta’ Lee
We’ve been listening to this song back in the day in the 2000s, and now this is what I call self improvement, self help and self confidence. Let’s pray 🙏🏽
pchezz wallace
Pslams 37...Nor his seed begging bread! My LORD YOUR GOD!!💫
Martez Jones
God will speak to you through his word I just heard this scripture in prayer!! HALLELUJAH THANK YOU LORD GOD!
Derrick Smith
This song brought comfort 2 me wen I was swarmed by satanic enemies God brought me out without a doubt Grandma Boys