Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Clark Cole began singing at an early … Read Full Bio ↴Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Clark Cole began singing at an early age with her sisters Karen, Twinkie, Jacky, and Denise. The sisters sang in their pastor father's church and usually performed songs written and composed by their mother. Clark Cole, who is referred to as the "jazzy sister" of the group, helped develop what is known as "The Clark Sound", which often features high and fast melismas, riffs, runs, and soulful growls.Dorinda sang lead on "Overdose Of The Holy Ghost", the B-side to The Clark Sisters' biggest single "You Brought The Sunshine".

Clark Cole's self-titled solo debut, released in 2002, won two Stellar Awards and a Soul Train Lady of Soul Award (Best Female Gospel Artist). The album featured the hit single "I'm Coming Out". Her second album, The Rose of Gospel, was released in 2005. The live portions of both albums were produced by Asaph Ward, famous for his work with Kim Burrell who counts Dorinda as well as the Clark Sisters as a direct vocal influence.

Dorinda was featured on the title track of Kirk Franklin's Hero album.

In addition to being a recording artist and evangelist, Clark Cole is a prominent figure in the Church of God in Christ, serving as president of the First Ecclesiastical Southwest Jurisdictional No. 1 of the Church of God in Christ and vice-president of the COGIC's International Music Department. She is an administrator and instructor at the Clark Conservatory of Music in Detroit (founded by Mattie Moss Clark in 1979), and is an administrator at the Greater Emmanuel Institutional COGIC, pastored by her brother-in-law, J. Drew Sheard (Karen's husband).

Welcome
Dorinda Clark-Cole Lyrics

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If You're not here, nobody can be healed
If You're not here, no souls can be filled
If You're not here, I might as well walk out the door
If You're not here, then what am I here for
Oh, if You're not here, then what am I here for

So, Lord You're welcome, and You're wanted, and needed in this place
Oh Lord, You're welcome, and You're wanted, needed in this place

So, let Your precious presence reign here today
Oh Lord, You're welcome, and You're wanted, and needed in this place
Oh, You're welcome, and You're wanted, and needed in this place

Now that You're here, we can raise our hands
Now that You're here, we bow in Your presence
So, just stay here, rest here, we want You more and more and more
Now that You're here, I know what I'm here for
Now that You're here, I know what I'm here for

Oh, Lord You're welcome, and You're wanted, and needed in this place
Oh Lord, You're welcome, and You're wanted, needed in this place
So, let Your precious presence reign here today
Oh Lord, You're welcome, and You're wanted, and needed in this place
Oh, You're welcome, and You're wanted, and needed in this place

Now that You're here, we can raise our hands
Now that You're here, we bow in Your presence
So, can You stay here, rest here, we want You more and more and more
Now that You're here, I know what I'm here for
Here, I know what I'm here for

Welcome, wanted, needed in this place

Welcome, wanted, needed in this place
Welcome, wanted, needed in this place

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song "Welcome" by Dorinda Clark-Cole express the desire for the presence of God to be felt in a place of worship. The first verse lays out the dire consequences of God's absence - without Him, healing and fulfillment are impossible, and there's no purpose for being there. But with God's presence, everything changes - hands are raised, people bow in reverence, and there's a sense of purpose and direction. The refrain repeats the welcome, want, and need for God, affirming that He is the reason for gathering.

This song is a powerful declaration of the belief that God's presence is essential for true worship and spiritual fulfillment. It reflects the idea that without God, our efforts to find meaning and purpose are ultimately futile. The lyrics paint a picture of a group of people who are desperate to feel God's presence and understand their place in the world. It's a reminder that we are nothing without God's grace, and that He is the source of all that is good and holy.

Line by Line Meaning

If You're not here, nobody can be healed
Without the presence of the Lord, there can be no divine healing

If You're not here, no souls can be filled
The Lord's presence is necessary for spiritual fulfillment and nourishment

If You're not here, I might as well walk out the door
Without the Lord's presence, there is no reason to remain in this place

If You're not here, then what am I here for
The purpose of being in this place is to experience the presence of the Lord

Oh, if You're not here, then what am I here for
The purpose of being in this place is solely to experience the Lord's presence

So, Lord You're welcome, and You're wanted, and needed in this place
The Lord is invited, desired, and necessary to be present in this place

So, let Your precious presence reign here today
May the Lord's invaluable presence be fully felt and experienced in this place today

Now that You're here, we can raise our hands
With the Lord's presence, we can freely express our gratitude and adoration

Now that You're here, we bow in Your presence
With the Lord's presence, we humbly acknowledge His sovereignty and greatness

So, just stay here, rest here, we want You more and more and more
The desire for the Lord's presence and company continuously grows and intensifies

Now that You're here, I know what I'm here for
The purpose of being in this place is to experience the Lord's presence, and with Him here, that purpose is fulfilled

Welcome, wanted, needed in this place
The Lord is joyfully invited, desired, and necessary to be present in this place

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: WIWEK MAHABALI, JASON HARROW, JEFFREY CAMPBELL, IAN ALVAREZ, NICK VAN DE WALL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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