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.
Little Boy
Kirk Franklin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Little boy where you goin?
Tell me what ya gon' do, ya gon' be
Tell me what ya future
Is college in ya dreams?
You like that money and dem shiny things
Got shot at 17 (Lord)
At ya funeral we sing a sad song (sad song)
I hear the preacher say rest in peace little boy
[Verse 2: Kirk Franklin]
Little girl where you goin?
Do you even know, you to young for dem clothes?
I know you think you grown, but let him see your mind, not the crack of your behind
Baby take your time, and realize, tomorrow has trouble of it's own
Oh, and one mo' thing, you deserve a king cause you a queen baby girl
[Section: Isaac Carree]
What happened to the days, when we knew the way, and we used to say Jesus
Now everything is gray, when trouble comes we pray
Somethings gotta change
[Chorus: Rance Allen]
I've seen the lightning flashing
And I heard... I heard the thunder roll (yes it did Lord)
See it won't be long, God's showing up our wrong
Get right church, before it's time to go home
[Verse 3: Kirk Franklin]
Mama, daddy what ya doin?
Ain't took a trip in years
Busy with both ya careers
Trying to make a mark
Even bought a house, but ya kids live at 106 & park
It's getting dark
Don't let the sun go down, now your children ain't around for ya (ain't around for ya)
Ain't no money in the world worth you losing family
Just tryin' to help ya see baby
[Section]
[Chorus]
[Bridge: Rance Allen and Isaac Carree]
If we ever needed the Lord before, we sho do need him now
[Verse 4: Kirk Franklin]
Preacherman where we goin?
Church what does it mean
A talent show or lottery?
I know I've been guilty
It starts inside of me
Together we can make a change
And one mo' thing
When you judge his name, be careful the preacher ain't your God (ain't your God)
See his job is to give people Jesus baby, Jesus baby
The song "Little Boy" by Kirk Franklin featuring Rance Allen talks about the struggles and predicaments that people face in their lives, whether they are young or old. The song addresses these struggles and considers the possible future outcomes of people's actions. The first verse talks about a young boy who got shot at the age of 17 and how his mother lost her baby. The second verse speaks to a young girl who needs to take her time to make the right decisions and deserves to be treated like a queen, not objectified by men. In the third verse, Kirk Franklin addresses busy parents who have not made time for their children.
The refrain sung by Rance Allen and the section sung by Isaac Carree explore the need for change, and how this change can come from a return to God. The "lightning flashing and thunder rolling" suggests that God is not happy with the current state of the world and that people need to return to their faith. The last verse addressed to the preacher, encourages them to be careful not to judge or substitute themselves for God, but instead give people the message of Jesus.
Line by Line Meaning
Little boy where you goin?
Where are you headed, little boy?
Tell me what ya gon' do, ya gon' be
What are your plans for the future?
Tell me what ya future
What do you see for yourself in the future?
Is college in ya dreams?
Is going to college something you dream of or want to pursue?
You like that money and dem shiny things
You seem to enjoy material possessions and wealth
Got shot at 17 (Lord)
You were shot at the age of 17, Lord
At ya funeral we sing a sad song (sad song)
We sang a mournful song at your funeral
Ya mama's baby's gone
Your mother's child has passed away
I hear the preacher say rest in peace little boy
The preacher spoke of resting in peace for the deceased little boy
Little girl where you goin?
Where are you headed, little girl?
Do you even know, you to young for dem clothes?
Do you realize that your clothing is too revealing for your age?
I know you think you grown, but let him see your mind, not the crack of your behind
Although you may feel like an adult, show your intellect instead of your body
Baby take your time, and realize, tomorrow has trouble of it's own
Take your time and understand that tomorrow may bring its own problems
Oh, and one mo' thing, you deserve a king cause you a queen baby girl
Also, keep in mind that you deserve a respectful partner because you are a deserving queen
What happened to the days, when we knew the way, and we used to say Jesus
What happened to our past when we were faithful and knew the right way, and praised Jesus
Now everything is gray, when trouble comes we pray
Currently, everything is becoming uncertain, and we pray during difficult times
Somethings gotta change
We must make a change
I've seen the lightning flashing
I have witnessed the lightening in the sky
And I heard... I heard the thunder roll (yes it did Lord)
I also heard the thunder as well, Lord
See it won't be long, God's showing up our wrong
God will soon reveal our wrongdoings
Get right church, before it's time to go home
The church should correct itself before it's too late to repent
Mama, daddy what ya doin?
What are you doing, mom and dad?
Ain't took a trip in years
It's been years since you've taken a family vacation
Busy with both ya careers
You are both working busily
Trying to make a mark
You are striving to make a name for yourselves
Even bought a house, but ya kids live at 106 & park
You have purchased a house, but your children live elsewhere
It's getting dark
Things are becoming more difficult
Don't let the sun go down, now your children ain't around for ya (ain't around for ya)
Do not let the opportunity to be with your children pass, they are not always around
Ain't no money in the world worth you losing family
No amount of money is more valuable than losing your family
Just tryin' to help ya see baby
Just trying to help you understand
Preacherman where we goin?
Where are we headed, preacher man?
Church what does it mean
What is the true meaning of church?
A talent show or lottery?
Is it a talent competition or chance to prosper?
I know I've been guilty
I acknowledge my own faults
It starts inside of me
It begins within myself
Together we can make a change
We have the power to make changes together
When you judge his name, be careful the preacher ain't your God (ain't your God)
Be cautious how you interpret the words of the preacher
See his job is to give people Jesus baby, Jesus baby
The preacher's job is to guide people towards Jesus
If we ever needed the Lord before, we sho do need him now
If there was ever a time we needed the Lord, it is now
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: KIRK FRANKLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
malaika20019
this track is my all time favorite. could play this song all day. this is one of the best songs Kirk has made
Roz Britton
Mine too.
AfricanJoint
I love the passion in this song...Hallelujah!!!
Ailson Amaral
Kirk and Mr. Rance Allen= Heavy Sound! God bless you all. Greetings from Brazil 🇧🇷
Bear WAtson
i love this song i can,t stop listing to the song
Michael Jenkins
This is my song "you better get right church" that is my favorite line.
Fabio Rodrigo
Eu gostei muito!!!!
Chelsie Reid
Its a great song I like the message in the song
mjcloman
Let him see your mind not the crack of your behind....AMEN!!!
Taiwo A
<3 love this song soo much