Although not raised in a church-going family, gospel leader Kurt Carr took … Read Full Bio ↴Although not raised in a church-going family, gospel leader Kurt Carr took it upon himself to start attending services at age 13 and soon became active in his church's musical programs. Finding inspiration in albums by gospel greats Walter Hawkins, James Cleveland, and Andrae Crouch, Carr attended the University of Connecticut in his hometown of Hartford, graduating with a degree in fine arts and a newfound appreciation of classical music. He was mentored by the classically trained gospel legend Richard Smallwood, who broadened the young student's horizons to include elements of different musical styles in his compositions and whom Carr still refers to as his "godfather." In 1986, Carr joined with Reverend James Cleveland and his ensemble, acting as pianist and musical director until the reverend's death in 1991. Carr released an album of his compositions and arrangements entitled Together on Light Records in 1991. Starting his own record label, Gospo Centric, in 1992, the energetic musical director led his group, the Kurt Carr Singers, through several albums of contemporary music thoroughly steeped in the traditional sound of gospel including 1994's Serious About It!, 1997's No One Else, and Awesome Wonder in 2000. As well as his own recordings and serving as creative director for the L. A.-based West Angeles Church of God In Christ, Carr has been an active promoter of the acts on his Gospo Centric label, including such industry heavy hitters as Trin-i-tee 5:7, Gospel Gangstas, and Kirk Franklin and the Family. ~ Zac Johnson., All Music Guide

If It Wasn't For Your Grace
Kurt Carr Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I would be lost like a ship without a sail
Without it, I would be nothing
I am sure that I would fail

Never would have made it
If it wasn't for Your grace
If it wasn't for Your grace

I've had my share of heartaches, and shed my share of tears
I've seen a lot of hard times down throughout the years
And I never would have made it without Your grace
When I think about my life and the things I've been through
I can't help but lift my hands and tell You thank You
I never would have made it if it wasn't for Your grace
If it wasn't for Your grace

I've tossed and I've turned all through the night
Praying and wondering if God was gonna make everything alright
No I never would have made it without Your grace
I've been so stressed out, thought I was gonna love my mind
But God stepped in, and He gave me peace of mind
I never would have made it if it wasn't for Your grace
If it wasn't for Your grace

Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me

Oh Grace has kept me
Oh grace has brought me
Oh grace, grace

Never would have made it
Never would have made it
Never would have made it if it wasn't for grace

Your grace and mercy
Thank You Lord, Thank You Lord

Never would have made it if it wasn't for Your grace
If it wasn't for Your grace

Overall Meaning

This song "If It Wasn't For You" by Kurt Carr is a testimony of how the grace of God has helped the artist to sail through the storms of life. The first verse emphasizes the importance of grace by making a comparison between a ship without a sail and life without grace. The life without grace is lost and purposeless, as the artist claims that he would be nothing without grace. The second verse is a testimony of the artist's life journey, which has not been easy, with many heartaches and tears. The song's central message is that the artist would not have made it this far without the grace of God. The chorus is a repetition of the phrase "Never would have made it if it wasn't for your grace," reflecting the artist's deep gratitude and acknowledgment of God's grace in his life.

The third verse goes into detail about the artist's personal struggle, stating that he has spent sleepless nights praying and hoping for the best. The artist's struggles were so intense that he thought he would lose his mind, but God intervened and gave him peace of mind. The artist's testimony is a reflection of the struggles people go through in life and how the grace of God can help them overcome such challenges. The conclusion of the song culminates with a reminder of the amazing grace of God that has saved a wretch like the artist. The artist is grateful for the grace of God, which has kept him, brought him this far and acknowledges that he wouldn't have made it without it.

Line by Line Meaning

I would be lost like a ship without a sail
Without grace, I'd be aimless and lost

Without it, I would be nothing
Grace is everything to me

I am sure that I would fail
I know for a fact that I would fall short without grace

Never would have made it
I could never have succeeded

If it wasn't for Your grace
Without grace, I would be lost and defeated

I've had my share of heartaches, and shed my share of tears
I've experienced a lot of pain and sorrow

I've seen a lot of hard times down throughout the years
I've gone through many difficult moments

And I never would have made it without Your grace
I couldn't have made it through without grace

When I think about my life and the things I've been through
Reflecting on my life and hardships makes me grateful for grace

I can't help but lift my hands and tell You thank You
I express my gratitude for grace by praising and thanking God

I've tossed and I've turned all through the night
I've found it difficult to sleep and been restless

Praying and wondering if God was gonna make everything alright
I've prayed and hoped that things would work out

No I never would have made it without Your grace
Without grace, I couldn't have overcome my troubles

I've been so stressed out, thought I was gonna love my mind
I've experienced such tension that I feared for my sanity

But God stepped in, and He gave me peace of mind
God intervened and granted me inner peace

Amazing grace how sweet the sound
Grace is a beautiful thing

That saved a wretch like me
Grace rescued me despite my unworthiness

Oh Grace has kept me
Grace has preserved me

Oh grace has brought me
Grace has brought me to where I am now

Oh grace, grace
All because of grace

Thank You Lord, Thank You Lord
I express gratitude to God for His grace

Never would have made it if it wasn't for Your grace
Without grace, I couldn't have overcome my struggles and survived

If it wasn't for Your grace
It's the grace of God that has sustained me

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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01Intro2:44

02Kumbaya5:27

03For Every Mountain7:25

04The Lord Is Strong & Mighty5:24

05Grateful6:32

06Narration1:07

07If It Wasn't For Your Grace6:26

PT6M26S

Kurt Carr

08Do You Know Him?4:46

092nd Narration0:55

10No One Else5:31

11Been So Good4:34

12Holy, Holy, Holy6:25

13Songs That Bought Us Over (Medley)6:24

14Hold On Be Strong6:07

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Comments from YouTube:

@deborahhayden567

32w↑1

THIS SONG STILL HITS 27 YEARS LATER🔥🔥🔥🔥
I CAN STILL SEE THE FAITH WAY B.C. CHURCH MASS CHOIR KILLIN’ THIS‼️ #SangMarvellaMoore #SangMarleneNorwood
#PlayItRaymondSmith
#GirlDirectorDeborahHayden
GLLLLOOOORRRRYYYYY

@DRLEWIS

3y↑1

Memorial Day 2021 I was in the market today getting the last little odds and ends for the Memorial Day get down. All of a sudden I broke out in the markets put spontaneously jamming and singing if it wasn't for his grace by Kurt Carr and when I jumped in the car had to hear it so I plugged it into my phone and let it play in the name of the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth amen amen and amen!

@ontheqt61

11y↑2

His blood washes me; His holy spirit revives my soul but His grace and mercy keeps me, sustains me! Never would've, could've, made it if it wasn't for Your grace! I know I shouldn't have made it, but God!

@dantejones5289

1y↑1

SaaaaaannnnnG Corey Briggs and Sharron Bennett KCS!!!

@kellysmith7714

11y↑2

This is that one song that slipped thru the crack! Everyone can relate to this in life! I am going to find my cd before I go to church today ......if not amazon here I come! Glory!

@priscillajones7105

9y↑5

I love this song. I remember singing this in the Paul Laurence Dunbar Chorale at Wright State University 1998-1999. RIP Dr. Brenda Ellis, one of the greatest choir directors ever!!!

@lamekanalls82

13y↑2

Thank you for posting this song! I was a teenager going through a lot of stuff and I would play this whole album, especially this song to help get me through! To God be all the GLORY for I never would have made it if wasn't for your grace!!!