A native of Fort Worth, Texas, he was raised by his aunt, Gertrude Franklin. He developed a talent for music early, playing the piano at age four and becoming music director of his church at age eleven. After getting kicked out of school in his teenaged years, having a girlfriend become pregnant, and after a friend was shot to death he returned to the church. After leading the DFW Mass Choir at the 1990 Gospel Music Workshop of America Convention, he organized "The Family", a seventeen-voice choir, in 1992 and began his recording career.
He has integrated hip hop styles with gospel themes in albums such as The Nu Nation Project and God's Property, which achieved success on the Billboard Pop Album, R&B and gospel charts.
Franklin has collaborated with the biggest names in gospel music, including Tonex, Donnie McClurkin, Richard Smallwood, Crystal Lewis, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Jaci Valesquez, and Willie Neal Johnson. He also has displayed a willingness to collaborate with artists in the secular realm, including Bono, Mary J. Blige, Crystal Lewis, and R Kelly in the hit single, "Lean on Me."
On October 4, 2005, his new long-awaited album Hero was released, with latest single Looking for You.
Franklin's songs are published by Zomba Music Publishing, a division of BMG Music Publishing.
911
Kirk Franklin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Hey, it's me, Kirk, I need to speak to Bishop)
Sure, hold on
(Hello?) Hey, I got some stuff I need to talk to you about
Lately, pastor I've been having all these crazy kind of dreams
It's hard to sleep, I can't eat
Scary, you know (I know what you mean)
Seems like life's just getting real strange (I hear ya)
Anthrax, terrorist attacks and
I ain't even trying to get on no plane (I feel ya)
And you know when I try to pray
There's a voice that telling that God's not real
(You know that's just the enemy)
Yea, but you ain't feeling me (No son, I know just know you feel)
(See, just because I preach and teach)
(Don't mean I don't get scared sometimes)
Yea, whatever, but you T.D. Jakes (Well, then I don't make mistakes)
Well (Now, let me tell you what's on my mind)
When your smile is gone (He cares)
Yea, but I feel so alone (He's there and)
Although, your heart is heavy, God said
(Every burden I will bear)
See, but you don't know my (my pain)
And I'm getting so sick and tired of all (this rain)
I just got laid off, and to top it off the rent's due
So tell me what I got to gain?
Well, see, trials come to make (you strong)
Storms won't last (last long)
But how can I trust God in all this mess?
Well, see that's the reason for the song
See, wherever you go there's one thing ya got to know
God, is right there by your side (weeping may endure for a night)
And he told me to tell you everything
(Everything's goin' be alright)
So thank you for calling, it's always good to hear from you
(Yea, but) but I gotta go now
(Wait a minute) I got another call on line 2
(But I ain't through)
See I'm sick and tired of all these church folk
Talking about stuff ain't as bad as it seems
See, why'all don't feel my pain (I don't have pain?)
I don't see how, you on the cover on Time magazine
(See, but you're looking at now and you don't know how I struggled)
(And what I've been through)
Yea, whatever (Now, you crossed the line)
I'm just speakin' my mind (Okay so let me speak mine, too) (Hmmmmmm)
(I've made some mountains, I've seen some valleys)
(I've even had to cry sometimes)
(Like when I lost my mother)
Your mother? (my mother) I'm sorry (No son, that's fine)
(See life is full of ups and downs but God said)
*singer* the storm won't last long
But how'd you make it through? (Boy, I thought you knew)
(It was His) *singer* love that kept me strong
[Chorus Two - T.D Jakes] {Kirk Franklin} (Singer)
When your smile is gone (He cares)
But I feel so alone} (He's there and)
Although, your heart is heavy, God said
(Every burden I will bear)
Yea, but see why'all don't feel (my pain)
And I'm getting very sick and tired of all this} (this rain)
Just got laid off, and to top it off the rent's due
So tell me, Bishop, what I gotta gain?
Didn't I tell you trials come to make (you strong)
And those old storms won't (last long)
How can I trust God in the midst of all this mess?
See that's the reason for this song
Wherever you go there's something ya got to know (God still cares)
(Weeping may endure for a night)
And he told me to tell you
(Everything's gon' be alright)
Thank you pastor (Any time)
I think I can make it now, just tell me what I need to do
(Just pray this prayer with me)
Say Father (Father) forgive me (forgive me)
I'm sorry (I'm sorry) please help me (help me)
I love You (I love You) I need You (I need You)
Hold me (hold me) Jesus (Jesus)
My heart (my heart) my soul (my soul)
Please take (please take) control (control)
Right now (Now) now
(Now) now (now) (right now)
When you ain't got no smile (He cares)
{And even when you feel so alone (He's there and)
Although your heart is heavy, God said
(Every burden I will bear)
And even in the midst of all ya (pain)
And when you're sick and tired of all the rain (this rain)
Remember that the rain won't last always
And in Christ Jesus, you got so much to gain
You see your trials come to make you (strong)
And the storms won't last (too long)
Remember my brother, my sister, it's only temporary
See that's the reason for this song
Wherever you go there's something you've got to know
God is still there (weeping may endure for a night)
And He told me to tell you
(Everything's goin' be alright)
In the song "911" by Kirk Franklin, the artist is having a conversation with Bishop T.D. Jakes about his fears and doubts. He expresses his concern about the state of the world and his personal life. Kirk tells Bishop about his sleepless nights and uneasy feelings about the terrorism threat, and Bishop Jakes comforts him that he feels the same way. Kirk then asks Bishop about the authenticity of God's presence in his life after hearing a voice that says God is not real. Bishop Jakes tells him that he experiences fear himself, but he has faith to confront it. The chorus of the song repeatedly reinforces that God is there for those dealing with pain and loss, and that everything will eventually be okay.
Overall, the song is about finding faith and hope in difficult times. It addresses the doubts and fears that people experience when faced with tragedy and loss. The lyrics are an encouragement to keep pushing through these hard times with the knowledge that God is with you.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello
Kirk Franklin calls Bishop to discuss his problems
Lately, pastor I've been having all these crazy kind of dreams
It's hard to sleep, I can't eat
Scary, you know (I know what you mean)
Kirk tells Bishop about his scary dreams and how they have been affecting his daily routine
I mean, every since that Tuesday
Seems like life's just getting real strange (I hear ya)
Anthrax, terrorist attacks and
I ain't even trying to get on no plane (I feel ya)
Kirk talks about how life has become strange and scary after the 9/11 attacks which has made him afraid to travel
And you know when I try to pray
There's a voice that telling that God's not real
(You know that's just the enemy)
Yea, but you ain't feeling me (No son, I know just know you feel)
Kirk talks about how he is struggling with his faith and how he feels like God is not real at times
When your smile is gone (He cares)
Yea, but I feel so alone (He's there and)
Although, your heart is heavy, God said
(Every burden I will bear)
Bishop reassures Kirk that even when he feels alone and burdened, God is there for him
See, but you don't know my (my pain)
And I'm getting so sick and tired of all (this rain)
I just got laid off, and to top it off the rent's due
So tell me what I got to gain?
Kirk expresses his frustration and pain of losing his job and how difficult it has become to handle his finances
Well, see, trials come to make (you strong)
Storms won't last (last long)
But how can I trust God in all this mess?
Well, see that's the reason for the song
Bishop explains that trials make one stronger and storms do not last forever and that is the reason for the song to help Kirk trust God through difficult times
Thank you for calling, it's always good to hear from you
(Yea, but) but I gotta go now
(Wait a minute) I got another call on line 2
(But I ain't through)
Bishop thanks Kirk for calling and helping him and takes another call while Kirk hangs up with things to ponder
And those old storms won't (last long)
How can I trust God in the midst of all this mess?
See that's the reason for this song
Wherever you go there's something ya got to know (God still cares)
The chorus reassures that the storms won't last forever and the song is a reminder to believe and trust in God always
Say Father (Father) forgive me (forgive me)
I'm sorry (I'm sorry) please help me (help me)
I love You (I love You) I need You (I need You)
Hold me (hold me) Jesus (Jesus)
Kirk prays to ask for forgiveness and strength from Jesus
Remember that the rain won't last always
And in Christ Jesus, you got so much to gain
You see your trials come to make you (strong)
And the storms won't last (too long)
The song concludes by reassuring that the storms will pass and that one gains a lot in Christ through their trials, making them strong.
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: KIRK FRANKLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bigtimecpa4774
for anyone reading this coment. God loves, you. We all have struggles, hard times. HE IS THERE. Bless anyone who is here to seek you Lord. Bless anyone here who is searching for you in the midst of all the mess. I worship and praise you father. I know you're with me. In Jesus name. Amen
@willholder9161
I'm not overly religious.... but I'm spiritual. I can say with no equivocation, this song changed my life. I just listened to it for the first time in probably 12 years and it still brings tears to my eyes, literally, when the nostalgia hits me of the period in my life the words, and timing of this song helped bring me through. I needed to find some way to help my son, also a believer, get through a trying time and searched it up... time to pay it forward. Thank you Kirk and TD Jakes. Always remember, God is right there by your side.
@nataliekarawusa5679
God loves you
You are his Child!
He wants you to be with HIM in paradise forever
all you need to do is repent and believe Jesus died for us on the cross and that HE is our saviour
sending love have a great day!
@NYKnicks33
Dedicated to my wife...Coronavirus took her mother 4 days before Mother’s Day. God, please cover her and her family and give them comfort! Amen!
@nataliekarawusa5679
AMENNNNN GOD HAS GOT YOUR BACKKK AND YOUR WIFES!
GOD BLESS!
@kievongibson3633
Sometimes when I go to bed at night I have bad dreams. And I'm afraid of the devil. I listen to this song to help me. God is always with us when we're afraid. God Bless Y'all 🙏
@r.t.c1881
Luke 1:37 Lord l am sinner forgive me, l am sorry the more l try to be a better person the more l give in to temptation. Forgive me father please heal me I am sorry. Help me Lord
@jessicaricks7560
Twicxy_ree Amen
@jamuldrow385
Amen
@imyourdaddy396
You need some instruction that's all