During the next two decades Carman changed the face of Christian music and evolved contemporary evangelism into what it is today. Carman established "Carman World Outreach," a non-profit organization that helps touch the lives of literally millions of people worldwide. Billboard Magazine recognized Carman's influence in Christian music by first naming him "Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year" in 1990. He has received numerous gold and platinum albums and videos. Even with all this success, the heartbeat of this Champion for Christ continues to beat strong for the souls of people who need Jesus. As an outflow of this passion, Carman had more than 50,000 people attend his "Music for Peace" crusade in Johannesburg, South Africa. These numbers topped the charts as his largest concert crusade ever, until more than 70,000 people packed the legendary Texas Stadium, making it the largest Christian concert in history.
For over 26 years, Carman has entertained, encouraged and preached the Gospel to millions-crossing denominational, cultural and ethnic lines. During this time, he has never compromised the call to take the Gospel to every person.
Carman died on February 16, 2021 (28 days after his 65th birthday) in a Las Vegas hospital, after a series of complications resulting from surgery to repair a hiatal hernia. He was survived by his ex-wife, five stepchildren and ten step-grandchildren.
Holdin'On
Carman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They said I would not last a day
They said when things got heated up
I would get blown away
But I'm still here Lord
Still strong, and I'm still
Holdin' on (every minute), Holdin' on (I'm still in it)
I got strength to stand
I'm holdin' on to God's unchangin' hand
They said I was too fragile
That livin' right was just a dream
They said I didn't have the stuff
To try and swim up stream
But I'm still here Lord
Still strong, and I'm still
Holdin' on (through the fire), holdin' on (I'm goin' higher)
Holdin' on (through the flood), Holdin' on (through the blood)
I got strength to stand
I'm holdin' on to God's unchangin' hand
Through the darkness, and through the night
I walk by faith and not by sight
Because I'm hangin' on to God's Word
Holdin' on for what I've heard
Thinkin' through the mind of Christ
Walkin' in the way that's right
His promises are true, His love is everlasting
His power is available only for the asking
When you sow the Word, faith is what you reap
You can be rough, tough, hard to bluff, if you keep
Holdin' on (every day), holdin' on (everyway)
Holdin' on (every minute), Holdin' on (I'm still in it)
I got strength to stand
I'm holdin' on to God's unchangin' hand
I got strength to stand
I'm holdin' on to God's unchangin' hand
In Carman's song Holdin' On, the lyrics speak of perseverance and strength to overcome obstacles, despite what others may say. The first verse highlights the doubts and negativity that others have projected onto the singer, claiming that they would not last a day or would crumble under pressure. Despite this, the singer emphasizes that they are still here, still strong and holding on. The chorus echoes this sentiment, declaring that they are holding on in every way, with strength to stand, and holding on to God's unchanging hand.
The second verse expands on the doubts and judgments that have been placed on the singer, but once again emphasizes their persistence and strength. They have been told that they are fragile and unable to swim upstream, but they are still here, still strong, and holding on. The bridge speaks of the struggles that the singer has faced, including darkness and uncertainty. However, they continue to hold on to God's Word and promises, walking by faith and not by sight.
The song overall serves as an encouragement to persevere through struggles and hold on to faith and hope in God. It acknowledges the negative words and doubt that may come from others, but emphasizes the strength and power that can be found through faith.
Line by Line Meaning
They said I'd never make it
People doubted my ability to succeed
They said I would not last a day
People believed I was weak and wouldn't last long
They said when things got heated up I would get blown away
People expected me to crumble under pressure
But I'm still here Lord Still strong, and I'm still
I defied the odds and continue to persevere
Holdin' on (every day), holdin' on (everyway) Holdin' on (every minute), Holdin' on (I'm still in it)
I am determined to hold on no matter what challenges come my way
I got strength to stand
I have the inner strength to stand firm in my beliefs
I'm holdin' on to God's unchangin' hand
My faith in God is my anchor and gives me the resilience to keep going
They said I was too fragile
People perceived me as delicate and unable to handle tough situations
That livin' right was just a dream
People believed that living a moral life was unrealistic and unattainable
They said I didn't have the stuff To try and swim up stream
People thought I lacked the necessary qualities to succeed against the odds
Through the darkness, and through the night I walk by faith and not by sight
Despite not knowing what the future holds, I trust in my faith to guide me
Because I'm hangin' on to God's Word Holdin' on for what I've heard Thinkin' through the mind of Christ Walkin' in the way that's right
By following God's teachings and staying true to my beliefs, I strive to do what is right
His promises are true, His love is everlasting His power is available only for the asking When you sow the Word, faith is what you reap You can be rough, tough, hard to bluff, if you keep
God's love and power are always available to those who seek it, and by living a virtuous life, I become stronger and more resilient
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DANIELE DELANCE STOKES, ERNEST DARNELL CHAVIS, EUNIQUE MACK, JAMES HARRIS III, JAMES SAMUEL III HARRIS, TERRY LEWIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BROTHERJONATHANBURG
REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED EVERYONE OF YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS AND YE SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST!!!!!
FOR NEITHER IS THERE ANY OTHER NAME THAN THE
HOLY NAME OF.....
LORD JESUS CHRIST NAME ONLY IN BAPTISM BY IMMERSION IN WATER FOR ONLY IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS
ANY SOUL SAVED UNTO
HEAVEN'S HOLY SALVATION!!!!!
@BROTHERJONATHANBURG
REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED EVERYONE OF YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS AND YE SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST!!!!!
FOR NEITHER IS THERE ANY OTHER NAME THAN THE
HOLY NAME OF.....
LORD JESUS CHRIST NAME ONLY IN BAPTISM BY IMMERSION IN WATER FOR ONLY IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS
ANY SOUL SAVED UNTO
HEAVEN'S HOLY SALVATION!!!!!
@BROTHERJONATHANBURG
REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED EVERYONE OF YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS AND YE SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST!!!!!
FOR NEITHER IS THERE ANY OTHER NAME THAN THE
HOLY NAME OF.....
LORD JESUS CHRIST NAME ONLY IN BAPTISM BY IMMERSION IN WATER FOR ONLY IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS
ANY SOUL SAVED UNTO
HEAVEN'S HOLY SALVATION!!!!!
@BROTHERJONATHANBURG
REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED EVERYONE OF YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS AND YE SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST!!!!!
FOR NEITHER IS THERE ANY OTHER NAME THAN THE
HOLY NAME OF.....
LORD JESUS CHRIST NAME ONLY IN BAPTISM BY IMMERSION IN WATER FOR ONLY IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS
ANY SOUL SAVED UNTO
HEAVEN'S HOLY SALVATION!!!!!
@BROTHERJONATHANBURG
REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED EVERYONE OF YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS AND YE SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST!!!!!
FOR NEITHER IS THERE ANY OTHER NAME THAN THE
HOLY NAME OF.....
LORD JESUS CHRIST NAME ONLY IN BAPTISM BY IMMERSION IN WATER FOR ONLY IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS
ANY SOUL SAVED UNTO
HEAVEN'S HOLY SALVATION!!!!!
@BROTHERJONATHANBURG
REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED EVERYONE OF YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS AND YE SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST!!!!!
FOR NEITHER IS THERE ANY OTHER NAME THAN THE
HOLY NAME OF.....
LORD JESUS CHRIST NAME ONLY IN BAPTISM BY IMMERSION IN WATER FOR ONLY IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS
ANY SOUL SAVED UNTO
HEAVEN'S HOLY SALVATION!!!!!
@tiffanymorgan6562
The woman singing the duet with him is Margaret Becker, she was a big hit in the contemporary Christian music industry back in the 80s and the 90s
@maryiamboc1216
Amen ❗ WATCH PASTORS PERSPECTIVE FEBRUARY 23, 2021❕ YOU WILL SMILE 😀❤️💜💙💗💓💖💛
@misspersnickety3674
She is a great talent and sings really meaningful songs.
@victormattison5110
I thought that might be her
@JerusalemRemembered28
Several of my friends (Pam, Kelly) and I got to be in this video. It was so much fun!
I remember we had such a hard time finding that barn, it was out in the middle of nowhere (days before GPS).
Lol!
Good times—Thanks Carman for the memories. 🕎🙏🏻✝️
@DavidJ1943
Wow. Lucky you. I wish I was there.
@AffordableEscapesShreveport
O Gosh how awesome! I would NOT have been able to breathe! Wouldn't be able to Tell if it was The Spirit or Carmen! I'm going with Carmen- Final Answer!
@miakiceh8069
@Beth Hill - this video made me laugh and give God praise all at the same time. LOL
@Tiffany Morgan - I didn't recognize Margaret Becker. I'm glad that you shared that information about her in the video. I love her voice!
Thanks for sharing your talent online. Blessings <3
@k.a.t.x3391
yeah made me laugh too
@gailwood4214
Was he as good looking in person?