Music Friday: Duawne Starling Sings His Wedding Vows in 2001's 'With This Ring'

Welcome to Music Friday, where we spotlight songs that celebrate jewelry, gemstones, or precious metals. Today, we shine a light on Duawne Starling’s heartfelt ballad, “With This Ring,” a moving wedding anthem in which the acclaimed gospel artist pens and performs his own vows.

Released in 2001 as the title track of the compilation album With This Ring, Starling’s song captures the essence of marital commitment. With lyrics that elevate the symbolism of a wedding band beyond its physical form, Starling describes the ring as a “circle of trust” — a token of faith, love and enduring devotion.

He sings, “With this ring / With this circle of trust / I confess that I must be in love / With this vow / I can promise you now / to be more than you’ve ever dreamed of.”

Starling’s soaring tenor and honest lyrics resonated deeply with couples seeking a spiritual and personal soundtrack for their wedding day. The success of With This Ring inspired a sequel album in 2002, With This Ring… Forever I Do, featuring more inspirational love songs by various Christian artists.

Starling’s journey into music was deeply personal. Born in Petersburg, VA, in 1970, he turned to music for solace after his father passed away from cancer when Starling was just seven years old.

“Music became my sanctum, my escape,” he later said.

Before launching his solo career, Starling spent more than a decade touring and recording as a background vocalist with legends, such as Michael Jackson, Dolly Parton, Patti Austin, Kelly Price, and BeBe & CeCe Winans. But he waited until he felt spiritually ready before stepping forward as a soloist. That moment came in 2004, when he released his debut solo album, Inside Out, which firmly established him in the gospel and contemporary Christian music communities.

Beyond music, Starling has worn many hats: model, actor, television and radio host, ordained elder and mentor. In 2011, he was honored to perform “We Shall Overcome” at the dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington, DC.

With a Master of Arts in Religious Studies from Howard University, Starling has said that his life’s purpose is empowering others through authenticity, compassion and faith.

“My gift is God’s tool,” he once said. “I always speak from the place of truth.”

Please take a moment to check out the audio track of Starling’s beautiful performance of “With This Ring.” It’s a testament to the power of love, faith and the enduring symbol of the wedding band. The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along…

“With This Ring”
Written and performed by Duawne Starling.

With this ring,
With this circle of trust,

I confess that I must be in love.
With this vow,
I can promise you now,
to be more than you’ve ever dreamed of.
With my heart in your hand,
and faith in His plan,
and with patience to last a lifetime,
I offer you everything,
With this ring.

With my mind,
with each thought I’m inclined,
to cherish you more everyday,
With my soul,
I’m completely yours,
You’re the answer to all that I’ve prayed.
With my heart in your hand,
and my faith in His plan,
and with patience to last a lifetime,
I offer you everything,
With this ring.

If perfect is something that people can be,
and heaven is more than just a fantasy,
then I am in heaven and you’re perfect to me.

So with my heart in your hand,
and faith in His plan,
and with patience to last a lifetime,
I offer you everything,
With this ring.

With my heart in your hand,
and faith in His plan,
and with patience to last a lifetime,
I offer you everything,
Be mine for eternity, yeah,
please say you’ll stay with me,
With this ring.

With my ring, Will you stay.
I’ll love you forever,
and ever, and ever and ever.

Credits: Screen capture via YouTube.com.