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)
Authority
Karen Clark Sheard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Tenors:]
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh,
Oh, oh, oh, oh.
[Altos:]
Oh, oh.
[Sopranos 1:]
Oh, oh, oh.
[Sopranos 2:]
Oh.
[repeat as desired]
[Verse 1:]
Dominion, dominion, rise up and take dominion,
It's time reclaim authority.
The kingdom, the kingdom is taking back it's freedom;
(no weapon formed against God's people will prosper).
[Chorus 1:]
God has given us authority,
To speak and believe what we can achieve.
God has given us authority,
Not by might, not by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord.
Oh, oh, oh, oh,
Oh, oh, oh, oh.
Oh, oh, oh, oh,
Oh, oh, oh, oh,
Oh, oh, oh, oh.
Oh, oh, oh, oh,
Oh, oh, oh, oh.
[Verse 2:]
The nations, the nations, we're calling to the nations,
Stand up and reclaim authority.
The power, the power He's given us the power,
(no weapon formed against God's people will prosper).
[Chorus 2:]
God has given us authority,
To speak and believe what we can achieve.
God has given us authority,
Not by might, not by power, but by the Spirit of...
God has given us authority
To speak and believe what we can achieve.
God has given us authority,
Not by might, not by power, but by the Spirit of God.
[Bridge:]
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.
[Vamp 1:]
Authority, He's given us power.
Authority, He's given us power.
Authority, after the Holy Ghost has come.
[repeat as desired]
Authority, He's given us power.
Authority, He's given us power.
Authority, after the Holy Ghost has...
[Vamp 2:]
Taking it back, taking it back,
Taking it back, taking it back.
[Vamp 3:]
Taking it back, taking it back,
We're taking it back, taking it back.
[repeat as desired]
Taking it back, taking it back,
We're...
[Vamp 3:]
Taking it.
[Vamp 4:]
Taking it, taking it
Taking it, taking it.
[Ending:]
Taking it back,
Taking it back,
Taking it back.
The song "Authority" by Karen Clark Sheard is a powerful gospel song that emphasizes the importance of believers taking back the authority that God has given them. The first verse encourages listeners to rise up and take dominion, reclaiming authority in their lives. The chorus reminds listeners that God has given them authority to speak and believe what they can achieve, and it is not by human power but by the Spirit of the Lord. The second verse takes it a step further, calling believers to call the nations to take back their authority and reminding them of the power that God has given them to overcome any weapon formed against them.
In the bridge and subsequent verses, the song further emphasizes the importance of taking back authority, declaring that it is only possible through the power of the Holy Ghost. The various vocal parts come together to make a powerful call to action, urging believers to take back what is rightfully theirs as children of God.
Overall, "Authority" is a song that empowers and inspires listeners to reclaim their authority and call others to do the same. It reminds believers that they have been given the power to overcome any obstacle through the Holy Ghost, and encourages them to speak and believe what they can achieve.
Line by Line Meaning
Dominion, dominion, rise up and take dominion,
It's time to assert our authority and take control.
It's time reclaim authority.
We need to take back what is rightfully ours.
The kingdom, the kingdom is taking back it's freedom;
God's people will no longer be oppressed or held captive.
(no weapon formed against God's people will prosper).
No attack or obstacle can defeat us.
God has given us authority,
God has empowered us to take control of our lives and circumstances.
To speak and believe what we can achieve.
We have the power to speak positivity into existence and believe in what we can accomplish.
Not by might, not by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord.
Our strength doesn't come from our own might or power, but from the Holy Spirit.
The nations, the nations, we're calling to the nations,
We want everyone to hear our message of empowerment and freedom.
Stand up and reclaim authority.
We need to take action to assert our authority and take control.
The power, the power He's given us the power,
God has given us the strength and ability to overcome any obstacle.
God has given us authority
God has entrusted us with the power to change our lives and circumstances.
Not by might, not by power, but by the Spirit of God.
Our success is dependent on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, not our own strength.
Authority, He's given us power.
God has given us the power to take control of our lives and circumstances.
Authority, after the Holy Ghost has come.
Our power and strength come from the Holy Spirit.
Taking it back, taking it back,
We are proactively asserting our authority and taking back control.
We're taking it back, taking it back.
We are actively working to reclaim what belongs to us.
Contributed by Victoria L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.