She moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 1991 with the goal of becoming a country artist. Songwriter Harlan Howard heard Sara as she sung a demo of one of his songs, "Tiger By the Tail" at County Q Studios**, and decided she should sing his music. She went under contract with RCA.
In 1997 Evans released her first album Three Chords and the Truth. Critics praised the album for returning to traditional country and recognized it on many of their top ten of the year lists. Unfortunately, it did not catch on with country radio at the time and none of the three singles made the top 40.
In 1998 Evans released her sophomore album No Place That Far. Critics slammed her for choosing a more pop/country oriented album. Her first single "Cryin' Game" hardly charted. It would be her next single "No Place That Far," a duet with Vince Gill, that would be her first number one single. The album has been certified gold. She actually had been a backup singer for Vince Gill, which definitely played a role in showcasing her talents and leading her ever growing popularity and success.
Evans released her "make it or break it" album, Born To Fly in 2000. Her first single "Born To Fly" hit the number one spot and proved to be her biggest hit until "Suds in the Bucket." The hits kept coming in as her next single "I Could Not Ask For More" hit the number two spot. "Saints and Angels," Evans' favorite song on the album, hit the number sixteen spot and the last single "I Keep Looking" made it to the number five spot. Thus far, the album has been certified double platinum.
Evans led the pack as the most nominated artist at the 2001 Country Music Association awards with seven nominations, and won her first CMA award when her song “Born to Fly” won the award for Video of the Year.
In 2003 Evans released Restless. This album showed her versatility as the songs combined different genres such as country, pop, blues, and soul. The album's first single "Backseat of a Greyhound Bus" went to number sixteen. The next single, "Perfect," went to number two. The next single "Suds in the Bucket" went to number one and became her biggest hit since "Born to Fly" and quickly became a fan favorite among her songs. The next single "Tonight" failed to reach the top 40. Restless has been certified platinum.
In 2004 Evans was the most played female singer on country music radio thanks to singles such as "Suds in the Bucket" and "Perfect."
In 2005, Sara Evans struck gold with the country ballad "A Real Fine Place to Start". With help from this single her album Real Fine Place was propelled to No.1 on the top of the country charts and No. 3 on the pop charts with over 130,000 copies sold in the first week, nearly tripling the sales from her last album debut Restless. Real Fine Place was the best debuting album of her career. The single from the album stood on top of the Billboard and Radio and Record Charts for two weeks. Evans was nominated for two CMA awards, including the prestigious "Female Vocalist of the Year" and prized "Musical Event of the Year" (the latter in part due to her duet with Brad Paisley, "New Again"). However, she lost in both categories. Sara went on the road with Brad Paisley and newcomers Sugarland on Brad's "Time Well Wasted Tour". Her current single "Cheatin'" has quickly become the fastest rising single of her career. Real Fine Place has recently been certified gold.
On December 6, 2005 Sara released Feels Like Home through Cracker Barrel stores. The album consists of alternate versions of some of her most memorable songs. For example, there is an acoustic version of "No Place That Far," a live version of "Born To Fly," and several other versions of her most popular songs.
Just A Closer Walk With Thee
Sara Evans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea
Daily walking close to Thee
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be
I am weak, but Thou art strong
Jesus, keep me from all wrong
I'll be satisfied as long
In this world of toil and snares
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who but Thee my burden shares?
None but Thee, oh Lord, none but Thee
When my weary life is o'er
Pain and suff'ring are no more
Who will lead me safely o'er
Canaan's shore, that sweet Canaan's shore
"Sara Evans's Just A Closer Walk With Thee" is a song that expresses the singer's desire to walk alongside Jesus and experience His love and mercy. The lyrics showcase a deep longing for a stronger connection with Jesus Christ. The singer acknowledges her own weakness and sin but expresses her faith that Jesus will keep her from falling. The melody is simple and reflective, and it encourages the listener to join the singer in her plea to be drawn closer to God.
The first two lines of the song: "Just a closer walk with Thee, grant it, Jesus, is my plea" lays out the theme of the song. The singer is asking Christ to be closer to her and to grant her this wish. The words "Daily walking close to Thee, let it be, dear Lord, let it be" emphasizes the singer's longing to be with Christ every day and for Him to lead her through life. The phrase "I am weak, but Thou art strong" acknowledges that the singer is not capable of keeping herself from wrong but believes that Jesus can help her. This phrase prepares the listener for the plea that follows. "Jesus, keep me from all wrong, I'll be satisfied as long, as I can walk, dear Lord, close to thee" requests that Jesus keep her from wrong and that she will be content enough to walk next to him.
The lyrics of this song were written in the late 19th century by an unknown author. "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" is a common request during funeral and memorial services, and it has been covered by countless artists in different musical genres. Besides its religious connotations, the song has also been adopted as a traditional New Orleans jazz funeral march tune. Mahalia Jackson's version of the song has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Line by Line Meaning
Just a closer walk with Thee
I desire to have a closer relationship with You, Lord
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea
Please grant me this wish, dear Jesus
Daily walking close to Thee
I want to walk with You every day
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be
Please let my wish come true, Lord
I am weak, but Thou art strong
Although I am weak, I know You are strong, Lord
Jesus, keep me from all wrong
Please protect me from any wrongdoing, Jesus
I'll be satisfied as long
I will be content, dear Lord, as long as
As I can walk, dear Lord, close to thee
I can walk close to You, Lord
In this world of toil and snares
In this challenging and dangerous world
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
If I stumble, Lord, who will care for me?
Who but Thee my burden shares?
Only You, Lord, can share my burdens
None but Thee, oh Lord, none but Thee
No one but You, Lord, can help me
When my weary life is o'er
When my tired life has ended
Pain and suff'ring are no more
There will be no more suffering or pain
Who will lead me safely o'er
Who will guide me safely to the other side
Canaan's shore, that sweet Canaan's shore
To the beautiful and peaceful Canaan's shore
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BILL (USA) BLACK, TRADITIONAL, PD TRADITIONAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mattsimonds5901
WOO. Go tell it on the mountain is my favorite!
@pmaringka
What a voice..!! Clear and beautiful...!!
@nancyjohnson8228
What a beautiful voice and one beautiful singer..just can't say enough about Sara Evans..glad she finally got into be a member of the grand ole opry..ITS ABOUT TIME..
@johnsparrow5607
Sara sounds great on this song
@cardenarhodes6515
Absolute beautiful Voice & Song. Bless Her Heart & Every Other Heart As Well that Loves The Lord. Amen & Amen.
@judge4321
My grandpa was a Christian man, he sang this for me when I was just a kid, maybe 9 or 10. There's literally not one day goes by I don't think of my grandpa. He died when I was 15.
@MerrySpirit1
This touches my soul ! The most heartfelt performance of a classic hymn. Sarah, you are the best!
@katieirani8616
You are,the best
@franktucker5
it simply can not be any better than this GOD BLESS all.
@mdean73022
I watch this at least once a week, it gives me a lift that I need.