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)
It's Not Over
Karen Clark Sheard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's not over til God says its over
He's with you throught stormy weather
The God I serve Oh he fails you never
He's a man of his word, its no over
He'll make a way of escape, its not over
O just hold on to your faith, he has the last say
He's never lost, he never lost a case
It's not over til God says its over
This too will pass, oh it gonna work out in your favor
God is using you to show victory
Just step out an walk in your destiny
He's a man of his word, its not over
He'll make a way of escape, its not over
O just hold on to your faith, he has the last say
He's never lost, he never lost a case
You can't go on what it looks like O we walk by faith an not by sight not by sight.
You must believe in what Jesus... oh oh oh oh ... Belive in what he says... awww
He's a man of his word, its not over
He'll make a way of escape, its not over
O just hold on to your faith, he has the last say
He's never lost, he's never lost a case
he's never lost a case, o he'll step in right on time
Karen Clark Sheard's "It's Not Over" is a song about faith, perseverance, and hope in trying times. The chorus underscores the song's theme, repeatedly stating "It's not over till God says its over." Throughout the verses, Sheard reminds listeners that God is a constant presence in their lives who never fails them, even during difficult moments.
The opening lines establish the central idea of the song: that while we may be facing storms in life, we must hold onto our faith because God is always with us. Sheard goes on to highlight how dependable God is, emphasizing that He always keeps His promises and will make a way for us to escape our current struggles. The song stresses the importance of hanging in there and waiting for God's intervention, as victory is always within reach as long as we have faith in Him.
The final verse references the phrase "we walk by faith and not by sight," and encourages listeners to trust in what Jesus says, even when things seem bleak. Sheard's soulful delivery lends itself beautifully to the song's message of trust in a higher power, making "It's Not Over" a powerful anthem that resonates with people undergoing difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
It's not over til God says its over
No matter how hopeless it may seem, the ultimate decision of the outcome of a situation lies in the hands of God.
He's with you throught stormy weather
God will never abandon his believers even through the toughest times.
The God I serve Oh he fails you never
God is always reliable and faithful to his people.
He's a man of his word, its no over
God always keeps his promises and is always working behind the scenes to make things work in his favor.
He'll make a way of escape, its not over
God will always provide a way out of every difficult situation.
O just hold on to your faith, he has the last say
Believers should always trust in God and have faith that he knows what is best for them.
He's never lost, he never lost a case
God is undefeated and has always come through for his followers in the past.
This too will pass, oh it gonna work out in your favor
Whatever struggle or challenge a believer is facing, it will eventually come to an end, and things will turn out in their favor.
God is using you to show victory
God has a purpose for every situation, and believers should trust that he is using them to showcase his greatness.
Just step out an walk in your destiny
Believers should trust in God's plan for their lives and take the necessary steps to fulfill their destiny.
You can't go on what it looks like O we walk by faith an not by sight not by sight.
Believers should not rely on what they see or feel, but instead, trust in their faith that God is in control.
You must believe in what Jesus... oh oh oh oh ... Belive in what he says... awww
Believers should have faith in Jesus and his teachings, trusting that they will lead them to a better life.
he's never lost a case, o he'll step in right on time
God always intervenes at the right moment and will never let his followers down.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JORDAN MOHILOWSKI, LUCIO RUBINO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Roger Green
I remember being there that night. I PROMISE y’all. When Karen came out, the ENTIRE atmosphere changed. Kierra actually sang right before her. Then introduced her mom. 🖤
Ben Gillis
Wonderful song Karen. Listening to this song always helps me remember that no matter what even when something kind of scary or not wanted comes up all I have to do is have faith and believe in and follow God and my great life with all the greatness and great things I have will never be over until God says it’s called to be over. Love you and God bless you 🔥🔥❤️❤️❤️❤️
Davari Williams
I like 2:05-2:07”well I just need some church folk to rock with me, 2:07-2:16” the long verse”,2:33-37”it’s my living in vain,2:42-49”my praying in vain(those are my favorites) but all in all the sing is great and powerful.
Baraka Farrington
This song is in a better place now 'cause she killed it. ♡
Ms.Min.S.
He's a Man of His word!! He's never lost a case. Sing it first Lady! Feel alright this morning!! Take me to church! Come on Jesus! YES SUH!! I'M COMING OUT OF THIS THANG!
Mickey Fletcher
Incredible voice
Yvette Renee
Karen has so many awesome songs. I love the way she sings this, and that walk she did. 😊
tulsa4life
This song is so very powerful, and sung by one of the best in Gospel Music Today "Praise On" she gets AFTER it at 4:44 if u wanna see when she got it on
Raisa White
Thank you for this song, put a smile on my face lord take the sickness out I'm in tears
Stephon
Sang, Mama Karen! Just up there blowing effortlessly. Another excellent testimony (performance). #Legend