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.
The Process
Kirk Franklin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My mama gave me up when I was four years old
She didn't destroy my body but she killed my soul
Now it cold cause Im slipping in my back seat
I understand the spirits willing but my flesh is weak (let me speak)
Never had a chance to dream 10 years old and finding love in dirty magazines
Ms December remember I bought you twice
Had a sister that I barely knew
Kind of got separated by the age of two
Same mama different daddy
...
Saw my sisters daddy beat her naked
Taking serious the Demonds in a mans mind
The same man with rape charges now he's doing time
Crack followed and like daddy prison 13 years
Haven't seen her cause she's traded tears for fears
Shout shout let it all out
these are the things I can do without
So come on (come on)
Now I'm talking to you so come on
Sex was how I made i through
I wasn't the one to teach with love but said this one ought to do
See where I'm from the call you gay say you ain't a man
Show em you aint no punk get all the girls you can
This simple plan even hunts me even now today
Back to 17 and got a baby on the way
Well dear God all I see is failure in my eyes
If your listening and remember I apologize
I was raise all in a church
Made mistakes and heard the Lords cold ...
after service on the parking lot getting high
wanting to be accepted so bad i was willing to die
Even thrived to tell the pastor but he couldn't see
Years of low self-esteem and Insecurity
Church taught me how to stop and speak in tongues
Preacher teach me how to live when the tongue is done
CHORUS + (repeat soul survivor, soul survivor until next verse)
Jesus please I'm on my knees can't you hear my crying
You said to put it in your hands and lord I'm really trying
You wasn't lying when you said you reap what you sow
Like that night mama died It's hard to let it go
You adopted me cared for me changed my name
But I cursed at you lied you and left you pain
It's now strange I can still see it in my head
To know how it was lying dead in that bed
If your listening to this record day or night
If you mama is still living treat your mama right
Don't be like me and let that moment slip away
And be careful because you can't take back what you say
To my real mama if your listening I'm letting it go
To my father I forgive you cause you didn't know
That the pain was preparation for my destiny
And one more thing though let my son be a better man than me
CHORUS
(while Kirk Franklin speaks in the background)
The lyrics of "The Process" by Kirk Franklin are incredibly emotionally charged and delve into the struggles and pain of the artist's past. The song begins with Franklin recounting the abandonment he felt at a young age when his mother left him. He explains how her absence affected him deeply, leaving him feeling empty and alone. He then details his experiences growing up, including finding solace in pornography at a young age and the separation from his sister. He also mentions the abuse his sister suffered at the hands of her father, which had a profound impact on him.
As the song continues, Franklin speaks about the harmful messages he received about masculinity and how they influenced his behavior. He struggled with trying to conform to traditional ideas of manhood and found himself turning to sex as a way to deal with his insecurities. He then apologizes to God for his past mistakes and behavior.
The final verse sees Franklin reconciling with his mother and forgiving his father, who he understands did not know the harm he caused. He acknowledges the pain he has gone through as preparation for his ultimate destiny, and urges his own son to be a better man than he was.
Overall, "The Process" is a meaningful and deeply moving testament to Kirk Franklin's personal struggles and triumphs. It is a reminder that pain and trauma can be transformed into something greater, and that forgiveness is always possible.
Line by Line Meaning
My mama gave me up when I was four years old
My mother abandoned me at a young age.
She didn't destroy my body but she killed my soul
My mother's actions had a profound effect on my emotional well-being.
Now it's cold cause I'm slipping in my back seat
I feel lost and aimless.
I understand the spirits willing but my flesh is weak (let me speak)
I know what I should do, but temptation is strong.
Never had a chance to dream 10 years old and finding love in dirty magazines
My childhood was robbed from me, and I turned to unhealthy coping mechanisms.
Ms December remember I bought you twice
I became addicted to pornography.
Now I'm 30 plus and I'm still paying the price
The consequences of my actions continue to affect me.
Had a sister that I barely knew
I was separated from my sibling at a young age.
Kind of got separated by the age of two
Same mama different daddy
We share the same mother but have different fathers, which contributed to our separation.
Saw my sisters daddy beat her naked
My sister was abused by her father.
Taking serious the Demonds in a mans mind
The same man with rape charges now he's doing time
My sister's father had deep issues that led to criminal behavior.
Crack followed and like daddy prison 13 years
Haven't seen her cause she's traded tears for fears
My sister turned to drugs and has experienced significant trauma in her life.
Shout shout let it all out
these are the things I can do without
So come on (come on)
I need to let go of these negative experiences and emotions.
Sex was how I made it through
I wasn't the one to teach with love but said this one ought to do
I relied on sex as a coping mechanism and did not have healthy relationships.
See where I'm from the call you gay say you ain't a man
Show em you ain't no punk get all the girls you can
I grew up in a culture that pressured men to be promiscuous and aggressive towards women.
This simple plan even hunts me even now today
Back to 17 and got a baby on the way
I still struggle with the consequences of my decisions, including fathering a child at a young age.
Well dear God all I see is failure in my eyes
If your listening and remember I apologize
I feel like a failure, and I regret my past behavior.
I was raised all in a church
Made mistakes and heard the Lords cold...
after service on the parking lot getting high
wanting to be accepted so bad i was willing to die
I grew up in a religious environment but still made mistakes because of my desire for acceptance.
Even thrived to tell the pastor but he couldn't see
Years of low self-esteem and Insecurity
I tried to seek help, but I felt ignored and struggled with feelings of inadequacy.
Church taught me how to stop and speak in tongues
Preacher teach me how to live when the tongue is done
I learned how to pray in church, but I needed guidance on how to live my life.
Jesus please I'm on my knees can't you hear my crying
You said to put it in your hands and lord I'm really trying
I am asking God for help and trying to trust in Him.
You wasn't lying when you said you reap what you sow
Like that night mama died It's hard to let it go
I am experiencing the consequences of my actions and struggling to move past past traumas.
You adopted me cared for me changed my name
But I cursed at you lied you and left you pain
Despite being loved and cared for by my adoptive family, I treated them poorly and caused them pain.
It's now strange I can still see it in my head
To know how it was lying dead in that bed
I still carry the mental images of traumatic experiences, such as my mother's death.
If your listening to this record day or night
If you mama is still living treat your mama right
I am sharing my experiences to encourage others to appreciate and cherish their mothers.
Don't be like me and let that moment slip away
And be careful because you can't take back what you say
I am urging others to avoid making the same mistakes that I have and to be mindful of their actions and words.
To my real mama if your listening I'm letting it go
To my father I forgive you cause you didn't know
I am moving past my childhood traumas and choosing to forgive.
That the pain was preparation for my destiny
And one more thing though let my son be a better man than me
My experiences, both positive and negative, have shaped me and prepared me for my future. I hope my son will learn from my struggles and become a better person.
CHORUS + (repeat soul survivor, soul survivor until next verse)
The chorus of the song emphasizes the theme of resilience and perseverance.
(while Kirk Franklin speaks in the background)
Throughout the song, Kirk Franklin provides commentary and insight on the lyrics, adding depth and emotional impact to the message of the song.
Contributed by Allison E. 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....