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Personal life
On June 16, 1984, Clark-Sheard wed John Drew Sheard, a minister. Her husband became the senior pastor of Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ in Detroit. Together they have 2 children: Kierra, who is also a gospel recording artist, and John Drew Sheard II, a young musician and up-and-coming producer.
In 2001, Clark-Sheard was faced with a life-threatening crisis when a blood vessel burst during a scheduled hernia surgery. Her doctors only gave her a 2% chance of survival due to her complications. After the blood clot was surgically removed, Clark-Sheard fell into a coma. The coma lasted a week, but Clark-Sheard made a miraculous recovery and recorded her sophomore album, 2nd Chance (named so because of the "second chance" given to her by God), in 2002. A reference to Clark-Sheard's near-death experience is made in her daughter Kierra's song "You Don't Know".
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Voice
Karen is classified as a Wagnerian Soprano. In almost every song by The Clark Sisters she is heard singing the highest portion, along with former member Denise Clark Bradford. One of Karen Clark Sheard's highest full voice note on record is in her 2006 song "You Showed Me", which is a C6. She has once been named "Best Vocalist In The World", and is her vocals are irreproducable.
Can't Take It
Karen Clark-Sheard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thought I was okay
But I really didn't have commitment
I was prestige in many eyes
They didn't see me cry
I really could hide my torment
It continued all the time
I'm only human and the pressure
Is getting to me
I just can't take it no more
My strength has walked out the door
And it left me and told me
I can't go no more
I just can't take it no more
I just want to lay down and die
God, if you hear me, come near me
You're my only hope, You're my only hope
Said, You're my only hope
I wish I had another chance
I would fervently seek Your hand
I would've survived the avalanche
I didn't see the road to take
So, I gave my life away
Now there's no way I can pray from a grave
Though it seemed I was fine
It continued all the time
I'm only human and the pressure
Is getting to me
I just can't take it no more
My strength has walked out the door
And it left me and told me
I can't go no more
I just can't take it no more
I just want to lay down and die
God, if you hear me, come near me
You're my only hope
Listen to me, you can do all things if you
Turn to the one Who's made you
You've got to take a little more
Your strength has walked out the door
And it left you and told you
It can't go no more
You've got to take a little more
You might want to lay down and die
Just know God hears you, He's near you
He's your only hope
Take a little more
Your strength has walked out the door
And it left you and told you
It can't go no more
You've got to take a little more
You might want to lay down and die
Just know God hears you, He's near you
He's your only hope
Take a little more
The lyrics to the song "Can" by Karen Clark Sheard touch on the theme of feeling overwhelmed and at the end of one's rope. In the first verse, the singer talks about how, despite seeming okay on the surface, they were struggling with pressure and torment. They speak of feeling like they have no more strength and can't go on anymore. The second verse brings up the idea of wishing for another chance, of having made mistakes and given their life away but realizing too late that they needed to fervently seek God's hand. The chorus repeats the theme of feeling helpless and calling out to God for help, acknowledging that there is no one else who can provide the assistance needed.
The song can be interpreted as a call to action for listeners who may be facing similar struggles. Clark Sheard implores her audience to turn to God, the only one who can provide hope and strength during difficult times. The repeated refrain of "Take a little more" can be seen as an encouragement to keep going, to find the strength within oneself to keep fighting even when it feels impossible.
Overall, "Can" is a powerful song with relatable themes that can provide comfort and motivation to those feeling overwhelmed and at their breaking point. It is a reminder that, with God's help, we can persevere through even the toughest times.
Line by Line Meaning
I would go on throughout my day
I believed I could handle everything on my own
Thought I was okay
But deep down I was struggling
But I really didn't have commitment
I lacked the determination to push through
I was prestige in many eyes
People saw me as successful and accomplished
They didn't see me cry
But they didn't see the pain I was hiding
I really could hide my torment
I was able to conceal my suffering
Though it seemed I was fine
Despite appearances, I was not okay
It continued all the time
My struggle persisted without relief
I'm only human and the pressure
I am fallible and not immune to stress
Is getting to me
The pressure is becoming too much to bear
I just can't take it no more
I have reached my breaking point
My strength has walked out the door
I feel depleted and unable to continue
And it left me and told me
My strength has abandoned me and won't return
I can't go no more
I cannot endure any longer
I just want to lay down and die
I feel overwhelmed and hopeless
God, if you hear me, come near me
I am reaching out to God for help
You're my only hope, You're my only hope
I am relying on God alone to save me
I wish I had another chance
I regret not seeking God's help sooner
I would fervently seek Your hand
If given another chance, I would seek God's guidance intensely
I would've survived the avalanche
I could have overcome the overwhelming obstacles if I had trusted in God
I didn't see the road to take
I was lost and unsure of how to proceed
So, I gave my life away
I made poor choices and squandered my opportunities
Now there's no way I can pray from a grave
It is too late for me to ask for God's help if I am dead
Listen to me, you can do all things if you
God is capable of helping us overcome any challenge
Turn to the one Who's made you
We must rely on God, our Creator, for strength and guidance
You've got to take a little more
We must have the courage to keep trying
Just know God hears you, He's near you
God is always ready to help us if we turn to Him
He's your only hope
We should put our trust in God alone for salvation
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES LORELL MOSS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind