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.
It's Time
Kirk Franklin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We've been waiting for Your presence to arrive all day
(We're humbled You're here)
We kneel up at Your feet and we refuse to leave the same
(The truth is)
Yokes don't break on their own
Our hands are not that strong
And giving up feels wrong
(Come on!)
For destiny and victory to finally collide
(Yes!)
There's no sound more sweeter than when God says "It's time"
(I get prideful)
Every time I step out independent, God I fail
(You still take me back)
So here we are broken, so glad that You destroyed the veil
(Because of the cross)
Condemnation is all gone
Humbled before Your Throne
(Thank You)
You say this is where I belong
That I've been patient for so long
(For destiny)
For destiny and victory to finally collide
There's no sound more sweeter than when God says "It's time"
(So tell)
So tell all the voices I'm doing just fine
(Tell 'em I'm good)
For this day is the day when God says "It's time"
Time for power and not just things
Time for healing the enemy
Time to be truly free to walk in faith not in what I see
No more time for childish things to warm you up and feel complete
What shall we say about these things
Soon in time the world will see
Destiny and victory finally collide
There's no sound more sweeter than when God says "It's time"
So tell all the voices "I'm doing just fine"
For this day is the day when God says "It's time"
(Time for heartache to leave my life)
For this day is the day when God says "It's time"
(Rumors, sickness, defeat, goodbye)
Lift your voices, God says "It's time"
(Jobless, homeless, you don't know the... you don't know the...
You don't know the trouble)
But this day is the day when God says "It's time"
(You're stronger, closer, you didn't give up the fight)
Lift your voices, God says "It's time"
(All the praying, all you've been believing,
Don't give up the fight no no)
This day is the day when God says "It's time"
(All things are working together for your good
So I know it's gon' be alright)
Lift your voices
God says "It's time"
The lyrics of Kirk Franklin's "It's Time" detail the anticipation of the arrival of God’s presence and the acknowledgement of the powerlessness of humanity. The song opens with the singers expressing their joy at the arrival of God's presence after waiting all day. The humility and reverence portrayed in the lyrics indicate that the singers are in the presence of a higher power. This sets the tone for the rest of the song, as the lyrics continue to emphasize the power of God and the limitations of humanity.
The lyrics express the idea that humans cannot break their chains or overcome their obstacles alone: "Yokes don't break on their own/ Our hands are not that strong." In these lines, the use of yokes refers to the biblical symbol for oppression, and the singer acknowledges that they are not strong enough to overcome their hardships alone. The chorus of the song emphasizes the power of God to overcome these obstacles and bring about destiny and victory.
The second verse of the song references the singer's pride and failures, but also acknowledges God's willingness to forgive and destroy the "veil" that separates humans from God's grace. The lyrics also discuss the power of faith over sight and the idea that it is time to let go of childish things and live in faith. The final lines of the song emphasize that God's timing is perfect, and that all things are working together for good.
Line by Line Meaning
We've been waiting for Your presence to arrive all day
We are excited that you are here and we have been eagerly anticipating your arrival
We kneel up at Your feet and we refuse to leave the same
We humble ourselves before You and are willing to change through Your guidance and love
Yokes don't break on their own
We cannot overcome our burdens without divine intervention and support
Our hands are not that strong
We are not strong enough to handle life's challenges alone
And giving up feels wrong
We know that giving up is not the solution to our problems
When you've been waiting for so long
We are tired of struggling and waiting for a breakthrough
For destiny and victory to finally collide
We are hopeful for a positive outcome and for everything to fall into place
There's no sound more sweeter than when God says 'It's time'
Hearing God's voice and knowing that it is time for us to move forward is the greatest feeling
Every time I step out independent, God I fail
Whenever I rely on my own strength and not on God, I am unsuccessful
So here we are broken, so glad that You destroyed the veil
We are grateful that Jesus' sacrifice removed the barrier between us and God and that we can have a personal relationship with Him
Condemnation is all gone
We are no longer under judgment and guilt because Jesus took our sins upon himself
Humbled before Your Throne
We recognize God's greatness and authority and come before Him with sincere humility
You say this is where I belong
We are comforted by God's assurance that we are exactly where we are meant to be
For destiny and victory to finally collide
We are hopeful that our desired outcome and success will finally meet
So tell all the voices I'm doing just fine
We confidently declare to our doubts and negative thoughts that we are doing well through God's help
For this day is the day when God says 'It's time'
We believe that today is the day for us to take action and move toward our destiny
Time for power and not just things
We should focus on gaining spiritual power and not just material possessions
Time for healing the enemy
We should forgive and pray for those who have hurt us and not seek revenge
Time to be truly free to walk in faith not in what I see
We should trust in God's plan and not be bound by what we see or understand
No more time for childish things to warm you up and feel complete
We should let go of immature and temporary things that give us a false sense of completeness
Soon in time the world will see
Our positive transformation will be evident to the world soon
Time for heartache to leave my life
We are ready for emotional pain to be removed from our lives
Lift your voices, God says 'It's time'
We should praise and give thanks to God for the opportune moment
All the praying, all you've been believing,
Don't give up the fight no no
We should persevere in prayer and faith and not give up hope
All things are working together for your good
So I know it's gon' be alright
We have faith that God is orchestrating everything for our benefit and we will be okay
Contributed by Nathan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Conika Yates
on Something About the Name Jesus
When i heard this song something just comes over me, i just cant explain it, but i has a wonderful feeling to it. i just love it. It's just something about the name Jesus....