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).
You Can't Take My Joy
Dorinda Clark-Cole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I have this joy- joy unspeakable
That flows inside- full of glory
I just can't hide
One thing I know- and it's for sure
That you can't take- my joy
Material things can be taken away
By the ones that I'm slow to pay
To take my faith away but never succeed
There's something else- I know-
And its for sure
That you can't take my joy
This joy that I have removes all my doubts
This joy calms my fears
Oh what sweet such wonderful joy
It lifts you up-- and dries all my tears
This joy makes me love all your ememies
This joy me love all your friends
It'll put a smile on your face- when there's
Somebody always trying to take your place
This joy that I have the world didn't give it to me
This joy that I have the world can't take it away
It makes me love everyday
When, trying to your place
One thing I know-- and it's for sure
That you can't take-- my joy
Can't take it-- You can't take my joy
Can't take it-- You can't take my joy
The lyrics of Dorinda Clark-Cole's song "You Can't Take My Joy" are all about the joy that cannot be taken away no matter what happens in life. The song is full of hope, faith, and positivity that nothing can take away the spiritual and emotional joy that resides inside every individual. The chorus reinforces the theme of the song by declaring that joy is a powerful and invincible force that no one can take away. The joy referred to in the lyrics is the joy of the Lord that bestows a sense of peace, love, and serenity upon an individual's life.
The song emphasizes that joy is not dependent on external factors such as material possessions or other individuals' opinions. Even if someone tries to deceive you or take away your faith, your joy remains intact. There is a sense of inner strength and resilience expressed through the lyrics of the song that implies that joy is a choice that one can make. When you choose joy, nothing can take it away from you, and it removes all doubts and fears.
The lyrics further explain that joy can transform an individual's perception of the world. It makes you love both your friends and enemies and brings a smile to your face, even when someone is trying to take your place. The song reinforces that joy is not something that the world can give or take away from you; it is an inner state that emanates from a deep sense of spiritual connection with the Lord.
Line by Line Meaning
I have this joy- joy unspeakable
I possess an inexplicable joy that cannot be expressed by words
That flows inside- full of glory
This joy resides within me, exuding radiance and splendor
I just can't hide
This joy is so immense that I am incapable of concealing it
One thing I know- and it's for sure
I am certain of one thing
That you can't take- my joy
My joy cannot be taken from me
Material things can be taken away
Possessions may be taken away
By the ones that I'm slow to pay
If payment is not made in a timely manner, they may be taken away
Some even try and will deceive
Certain individuals may attempt to trick me
To take my faith away but never succeed
However, these individuals will fail to diminish my faithfulness
There's something else- I know-
In addition, I know something else
And its for sure
And I am positive of this fact
That you can't take my joy
My joy cannot be taken away
This joy that I have removes all my doubts
My joy eradicates all my uncertainties
This joy calms my fears
My joy alleviates all my anxieties
Oh what sweet such wonderful joy
This joy is incredibly sweet and marvelous
It lifts you up-- and dries all my tears
It elevates me and diminishes my sorrow
This joy makes me love all your enemies
My joy inspires me to love those who oppose me
This joy me love all your friends
My joy motivates me to love my companions
It'll put a smile on your face- when there's
It will evoke a smile on your countenance even in moments of hardship
Somebody always trying to take your place
When someone strives to usurp my position
This joy that I have the world didn't give it to me
The world did not bestow upon me this joy
This joy that I have the world can't take it away
The world cannot deprive me of this joy
It makes me love everyday
This joy compels me to love each day
When, trying to your place
Despite others' attempts to supplant me
Can't take it-- You can't take my joy
My joy cannot be taken away
Can't take it-- You can't take my joy
My joy cannot be taken away
Contributed by Logan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.