The Clark Sisters were born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. They each began singing at an early age and by the late 1960s they were all performing together in church services, usually singing songs written and arranged by their mother. A few years later, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark turned over control of the group to Twinkie, who would then go on to write, arrange, conduct and produce all of the Clark Sisters recordings. In 1973, the sisters recorded their first album, Jesus Has A Lot to Give, on their uncle's local label Billmo Records.
2. The Clark Sisters also refers to a vocal quartet from the 1950s and 60s, also known as the Sentimentalists when they sang with Tommy Dorsey. They recorded an album entitled ":Beauty Shop Beat" in 1960, containing barbershop standards such as ":Waiting for the Robert E. Lee", "Coney Island Baby", and "That Old Gang of Mine".
Pray for the U.S.A.
The Clark Sisters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Suicide rate going up
Homicide cases piling up
Rape and killing even with innocent little children
To those that can really see
You know this should not be
Because what America needs
She can be free
If she goes back down to her knees
Pray
For the USA
Pray
For the USA
Pray
For the USA
Pray
For the USA
They took prayer out of the schools
Now we have knives and guns
Building nuclear weapons
Everyday by the tons
Drugs have become a way of life to man
Sickness and disease spread all over the land
To those that can clearly see
This is our hope and dream
That what America needs
Is more love and peace
She can be free
If she goes back down to her knees
Pray
For the USA
Pray
For the USA
Pray
For the USA
Pray
For the USA
We can continue to be the land of the free
Home of the brave
If we don't remember
Pray
For the USA
Pray
For the USA
Pray
For the USA
Pray
For the USA
Oh, everybody pray pray (pray)
For the USA (for the USA)
Pray (pray)
For the USA (for the USA)
Come everybody
Let us join together
Let us pray for our country
USA
Come on everybody
Pray for our brothers and sisters
Pray for the nation
Let's say a prayer
The Clark Sisters’ song “Pray For The U.S.A.” is a cry for help for a country that is in turmoil. They lament the rising rates of suicide, homicide, rape, and killing, even of innocent children. They believe that these situations are preventable because all America needs is more love and peace. They beseech America to return to her roots by going back down to her knees in prayer. They remind listeners that prayer was taken out of schools and this has resulted in increased knife and gun violence, nuclear weapons, drug addiction, sickness, and disease. They believe that if America can remember to pray, then the land of the free and the home of the brave can continue to be both.
The song highlights the fact that America is in danger of losing her soul. The clarity of purpose and high moral standards on which the country was founded have been lost, and it is not too late to regain them. The Clark Sisters believe that everyone has a role to play in saving America by joining hands, praying to God, and seeking the return of love and peace. Overall, the song is a poignant reminder that America can still be the great nation that she was established to be.
Line by Line Meaning
Suicide rate going up
The number of people killing themselves is increasing
Homicide cases piling up
The number of people getting killed or killing others is increasing
Rape and killing even with innocent little children
Even children are being hurt and killed in violent acts like rape and murder
To those that can really see
For people who can clearly see the problems in our society
You know this should not be
They can understand that these problems are wrong
Because what America needs
The solution to these problems is
Is more love and peace
More compassion and tranquility is needed to address these issues
She can be free
America has the potential for liberty
If she goes back down to her knees
If Americans return to prayer and humility
Pray
We should direct our thoughts to praying
For the USA
For the sake of our country
They took prayer out of the schools
Prayer was removed from the curriculum
Now we have knives and guns
Subsequently, violent weapons have proliferated in our society
Building nuclear weapons
We are manufacturing dangerous bombs
Everyday by the tons
We are producing these deadly weapons in large quantities
Drugs have become a way of life to man
Drug use has become a lifestyle for many people
Sickness and disease spread all over the land
Illnesses and ailments are affecting people all over the country
This is our hope and dream
Our optimistic wish
That what America needs
The thing America requires to realize this wish is
Is more love and peace
More kindness and calmness is needed to bring about change
We can continue to be the land of the free
We can maintain our identity as a free nation
Home of the brave
Because of the courage of our people
If we don't remember
But, we must not forget
Come everybody
Let us all gather
Let us join together
For the purpose of uniting
Let us pray for our country
To direct our thoughts and prayers towards the betterment of our country
Pray for our brothers and sisters
To wish for the well-being of our fellow human beings
Pray for the nation
To wish for the healing and prosperity of our country
Let's say a prayer
We should express our desires and aspirations through prayer
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dedrachambers8722
Twinkie Clark wrote this song back in the 80's, it was on their 1986 album....How prophetic in 2020 are the lyrics to the song. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
@sheenareed
Absolutely
@quincyhill2224
It’s been on repeat for a month now 😪
@rareonyxx2095
2022
@WhateverIsClever1111
In 2023 too
@tankwilliams317
This song is so what the world needs to
Hear right. Now 😭😭😭🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
@joeparish3575
I love Twinkies voice 🙌🙌 She is remarkable!!
@j.d.whitfield7604
My soul is so disturbed by what is going on in our country. I am praying for us all. God hear the cry of those who are oppressed, repressed and downhearted. As the old church song goes, In times like these we need a Saviour, in times like these we need the Lord, be very sure that your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock.
@Hersheygurl1
This song was heavy in my spirit all day today seeing people storming the Capitol. The look on my child's face was heart-breaking.
@ditracomer4766
Pray for the victims in Buffalo New York 😭😭 I love this song thanks Ms Twinkie Clark.