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)
If I Can't Say A Word
Karen Clark Sheard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I can't say a word, I'll just wave my hand
I get so full, I would explain it if I could
God's been just that good
Sometimes I get so filled up
Like an overflowing cup
Can't seem to find the right words to say
If I can't say a word, I'll just wave my hand
If I can't say a word, I'll just wave my hand
I get so full, I would explain it if I could
God's been just that good
When I think of His love for me
The way He looks out for me
Sometimes I find myself speechless
His favor leaves me breathless
If I can't say a word, I'll just wave my hand
If I can't say a word, I'll just wave my hand
I get so full, I would explain it if I could
God's been just that good
Can I just wave it?
Can I just wave my hand?
Can I just wave it?
Can I wave my hand?
Can I just wave it?
Can I just wave my hand?
Can I just wave it?
Can I wave my hand?
Can I just wave it?
Can I just wave it?
Can I wave my hand?
Can I just wave it?
Can I just wave it, wave it?
Can I wave my hand?
God has been, been just that good
God has been, been just that good
God has been, been just that good
...
Karen Clark Sheard's song "If I Can't Say A Word" conveys the overwhelming feeling of being full of emotion when thinking about God's love and blessings in one's life. The lyrics express the singer's struggle to articulate the depth of gratitude and awe they feel towards God. They acknowledge that sometimes, words fall short in expressing the emotions and feelings that they're experiencing, but God knows their heart and understands. Instead of speaking, the singer opts to wave their hands, a gesture that symbolizes surrender, gratitude, and reverence. The song brings to light those moments of awe and overwhelming emotion that leave us at a loss for words but stir our souls and position us to be in the presence of the Lord.
The song's bridge highlights that Karen Clark Sheard's inspiration for this song is in the Holy Spirit. She invites the Holy Spirit to take over and have His way in whatever way He wants because He understands what she cannot explain in words. The song's message serves to remind us that God knows us intimately, and even when we cannot say anything, He hears our hearts and understands our emotions.
In conclusion, "If I Can't Say A Word" is a mix of gratitude, amazement, and the redemptive power of God's love over our lives. It's an assurance that, in our moments of overwhelming emotions, it's okay not to have the right words to say, and instead, we can surrender our hearts in gratitude and wave our hands.
Line by Line Meaning
If I can't say a word, I'll just wave my hand
When I am overwhelmed with gratitude and can't find the right words to express myself, I will simply wave my hand in praise.
I get so full, I would explain it if I could
I am overcome with joy and thankfulness, and while I wish I could articulate what I'm feeling, I can't quite put it into words.
God's been just that good
God has blessed me beyond measure and I'm grateful for all He has done for me.
When I think of His love for me
Reflecting on how much God loves me fills me with awe and gratitude.
The way He looks out for me
I am thankful for how God takes care of me and protects me.
Sometimes I find myself speechless
I am so overwhelmed by God's goodness that I cannot find the words to express my gratitude.
His favor leaves me breathless
God has shown me such favor and kindness that I am left in awe and amazement.
Can I just wave it?
Is it enough for me to simply offer praise to God without using words?
God has been, been just that good
I cannot overstate how good and faithful God has been to me, and I am forever grateful.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DONALD LAWRENCE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind