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)
Sometimes
Karen Clark Sheard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With all that you're going through everyday
From being tempted to resented and you need direction
Sometimes heaven seems so far away
With all of the money spent that you make
But the righteous won't be forsaken
You just keep on pressin'
Cause I feel I need to let my heel down
For we do all that we can to
Treat our NEIGHBOR right but
Sometimes we wanna scream
We try to turn the other cheek
And stay on our knees and keep our tempers under control, but you know
Every now and then you wanna tell somebody what they mean
CHORUS: Sometimes heaven seems so far away
With all that you're going through everyday
From being tempted to resented and you need direction
Sometimes heaven seems so far away
With all of the money spent that you make
But the righteous won't be forsaken
You just keep on pressin'
VERSE: Working that Job so hard from dusk to dawn
To keep a decent roof overhead
But your debt is evergrowing
Even working over time
And sometimes you wanna scream
But God knows the pain is there and how much we can
Bear we didn't come this far to be left alone
That's why we gotta be strong for the prayers of the righteous will availeth many things
CHORUS: Sometimes heaven seems so far away
With all that you're going through everyday
From being tempted to resented and you need direction
Sometimes heaven seems so far away
With all of the money spent that you make
But the righteous won't be forsaken
You just keep on pressin'
HOOK: For the trials that we see are here to make us stronger
Grab onto his hand and live in fear no longer
Like a tree planted by the rivers of water
We shall not be moved
Stand firm in your service
Your eyes will be dried in the morning
CHORUS: Sometimes heaven seems so far away
With all that you're going through everyday
From being tempted to resented and you need direction
Sometimes heaven seems so far away
With all of the money spent that you make
But the righteous won't be forsaken
You just keep on pressin'
Karen Clark Sheard's song, "Sometimes," speaks about feeling distant from heaven and struggling with difficulties in life. The chorus repeats the phrase "Sometimes heaven seems so far away" to emphasize this feeling of distance from God. The following lines mention various challenges the singer may be facing, such as being tempted or feeling resentful, spending money and struggling to make ends meet. However, the song also assures the listener that the righteous will not be forsaken and urges them to keep pressing forward.
The verse expands on the challenges mentioned in the chorus, starting with a warning that the singer is about to get personal. She then speaks about the struggle to treat others kindly despite feeling frustrated and the desire to vent those frustrations. The second verse focuses on the stress of working hard but still facing debt and financial troubles. Again, the verse acknowledges the desire to scream out in frustration but urges the listener to be strong and trust in God's plan. The hook encourages the listener to see their trials as opportunities to grow stronger and hold onto their faith through difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes heaven seems so far away
Sometimes it feels like it's impossible to reach Heaven no matter what you do
With all that you're going through everyday
Despite struggling with everyday challenges
From being tempted to resented and you need direction
Feeling pulled in different directions and unsure of what steps to take next
With all of the money spent that you make
Even when working hard and spending all money earned
But the righteous won't be forsaken
Despite all struggles, faith in doing what is right will prevail
You just keep on pressin'
Stay persistent and motivated in spite of everything
I might get personal so protect your toes
Sharing personal experiences that may be unexpected or difficult to hear
Cause I feel I need to let my heel down
Opening up honestly and candidly to connect with others on a deeper level
For we do all that we can to
Striving to treat others with kindness and respect
Treat our NEIGHBOR right but
Although trying to be good to others
Sometimes we wanna scream
Feeling overwhelmed or frustrated
We try to turn the other cheek
Attempting to handle difficult situations with grace and forgiveness
And stay on our knees and keep our tempers under control, but you know
Praying for strength and holding back anger, but sometimes it can be difficult
Every now and then you wanna tell somebody what they mean
Feeling the urge to express how someone's actions or words have affected you
Working that Job so hard from dusk to dawn
Working a difficult job with long hours
To keep a decent roof overhead
Working hard just to keep a simple and comfortable place to live
But your debt is evergrowing
Despite working hard, getting deeper into debt
Even working over time
Working extra hours to make ends meet
But God knows the pain is there and how much we can
Having faith that God sees and understands the struggles faced
Bear we didn't come this far to be left alone
Remembering how far you've come and staying hopeful in the midst of uncertainty
That's why we gotta be strong for the prayers of the righteous will availeth many things
Staying resilient and believing that faith and prayer will bring about positive changes
For the trials that we see are here to make us stronger
The difficulties faced are opportunities for growth and strength
Grab onto his hand and live in fear no longer
Embracing faith and facing challenges without fear
Like a tree planted by the rivers of water
Staying grounded and nourished in faith like a tree by a river
We shall not be moved
Remaining steadfast in faith and not giving up
Stand firm in your service
Continuing to serve others and remain faithful
Your eyes will be dried in the morning
Having faith that things will get better, and tears will dry with time
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN S. HALL, ROGER MURDOCK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind