Brief Biography
Karen Clark Sheard was born the youngest of six children born to Pastor Elbert Clark and Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, a pioneering gospel choral director. Clark-Sheard is best known for being a member of iconic gospel group The Clark Sisters.
Karen's involvement in the Island Inspirational All Stars' "Don't Give Up" in 1996 (along with Donald Lawrence, Hezekiah Walker, and Kirk Franklin) led to her signing with Island Records.[1] Her solo career began with the release of her debut album Finally Karen in 1997. The album, consisting of half studio recordings and half live recordings, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album in 1998. The set did however win the Lady Of Soul award for Best Gospel Album the same year.[2]
After Yolanda Adams, Karen Clark-Sheard became the 2nd gospel artist to sign to Elektra Records. She released her Elektra debut album 2nd Chance in 2002 led off by the single "Be Sure". Though Clark-Sheard was in excellent form vocally, the slick, progressive sound of the disc was not received well. The 2003 followup The Heavens Are Telling fared well, but came at an awkward time when Elektra Records was being dissolved into Atlantic Records. In 2005, after a bidding war with several labels, Karen Clark Sheard finally signed with Word Records and issued It's Not Over, the following year.
Singers Mariah Carey, Faith Evans and Beyoncé all count Karen Clark-Sheard as one of their greatest vocal influences.[3]
Personal life
On June 16, 1984, Karen Clark-Sheard wed John Drew Sheard, a minister. Her husband is 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 three and a half weeks[4], but Clark-Sheard made a miraculous [5][6]recovery and recorded her sophomore album, 2nd Chance (named so because of the "second chance" given to her by God) [7], in 2002. Clark-Sheard's near-death experience is referenced in her daughter Kierra's song "You Don't Know".
Voice
* 1st Soprano
Highest Note
* Eb6 in "Name it and Claim it" (Gospel, motion picture, 1982) and "Livin'" ("You Showed Me" was a C6 natural)
Lowest Note
* G3 in "So Good" and "Its Not Over" (version from album of same title)
A Living Testimony
Karen Clark Sheard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Holdin On to your Hand though sometimes I don't
Understand
Tears I cry night and day, but I'm gonna trust you
Anyway
Because you love me and I love you too
Been in church all my life
Sometimes all I find is strife
But sometimes alone is all I've been
Tears I cried night and day
But God has always made a way
Because he loves and I love him too
Left my home family and job
And my life was so very hard
Tried my best to stand the test
Then God came and gave me rest
Tears I cried night and day
But God has always made a way
Because he loves and I love him too
I lost my job after fourteen years
It left me living in fear
I didn't know how to pay my bills
But in His Word he said stand still
Tears I cried night and day
But God has always made a way
Because he loves and I love him too
The lyrics of Karen Clark Sheard's song "A Living Testimony" depict the singer's unwavering faith in God amidst adversities. The opening lines "I love you so and I'm never gonna let you go, holding on to your hand though sometimes I don't understand" portray the singer's trust and dependency on God. She acknowledges that life is not always easy, and she may not understand what is happening, but she is holding on to God's hand, believing that he loves her and will never let her go.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Tears I cried night and day, but God has always made a way because he loves and I love him too." This speaks to the singer's experiences of going through trials, including church strife, loneliness, job loss, and financial challenges. Despite these difficulties, she testifies that God always provided a way out and comforted her. She acknowledges that her love for God is reciprocated, and that is what has kept her going.
Overall, "A Living Testimony" is an uplifting song that highlights the power of faith and love. It reminds listeners that even in the darkest moments, holding on to God's hand and trusting in his love can lead to strength and victory.
Line by Line Meaning
I Love you so and I'm never gonna let you go*
I deeply care for you and will always be by your side.
Holdin On to your Hand though sometimes I don't Understand
Even when I don't understand, I will still trust and hold onto you.
Tears I cry night and day, but I'm gonna trust you Anyway
Despite my tears and hardships, I will continue to put my trust in you.
Because you love me and I love you too
Our love for each other is mutually strong and unwavering.
Been in church all my life
I have a long-standing relationship with the Church.
Sometimes all I find is strife
Despite my faith, I often encounter difficulties and problems.
Thought I'd have friends to the end
I expected to have lifelong friends.
But sometimes alone is all I've been
I have sometimes felt lonely and unsupported.
But God has always made a way
Regardless of my hardships, God has always provided for me.
Left my home family and job
I made a significant sacrifice and left behind everything I knew.
And my life was so very hard
My new life was very challenging and difficult.
Tried my best to stand the test
I did my utmost to weather the challenges.
Then God came and gave me rest
God eventually provided me with comfort and relief.
I lost my job after fourteen years
I experienced a significant setback when I lost my job of many years.
It left me living in fear
I was afraid about how I would survive.
But in His Word he said stand still
Through His teachings, God encouraged me to remain steadfast.
Contributed by Abigail B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.