Karen Clark Sheard - Don't Change Lyrics
Lyrics
(KeKe)(Karen)
phone rings
(hello?)
(hey mama)
(yeah)
(can we kick it?)
(can we kick it?)
(i'm sorry, can i talk to you for a minute)
(that's more like it)
(well here's my story)
Verse 1
(becoming a lady)(yeah)
there are so many things to learn(uh huh)
about life and things that we're made of(now i see where this is all going)
don't wanna be mistaken
for not being a christian girl(uh huh)
and my fear is being made fun of)
(baby let me tell you how to cope)(tell me)
'cause ya mama went through the same thing(i bet you did)
be not justified by what your friends might think)
Chorus
(mama i do my best
to obey the rules that you and daddy set
to keep me from doin' somethin' that i might regret
even though it's hard mama don't change)
(being a mama ain't a easy task
it's more than examples on how to cook and dress
discipline and values i know you need to get
even though your hard headed don't change)
Verse2
(i know that i am special)(yes you are)
because i am a child (mama's baby)of the king
but in the school they be thinking that i am arrogant(what now hold)
i don't understand it(well)
you told me to be proud of myself(yes i did)
why does it seem like i'm doing all the wrong things)
( let me tell you how to be
when your attacked by the hands of the enemy
hold you head up high
and in him you must believe)
chrous
Verse3
(mama i know it looks like i'm not listenin'
but i hear you and daddy too
thank you for showing me what to do)
(we know you try we know it ain't easy to live this life sometime)
(but as your by my side)
((we can make it together))
j-moss
i know what it means when you see them things on the T.V screens make a sista wanna ((scream))
you wanna make it quick everytime you see 23's or 24's thick on the floor
but mama knows best
daddy told you whenever you come come correct
take your time baby and be a young lady
you whole of your life a head of you don't change
Chorusx2
(can we talk anytime
can i tell ya what's on my mind
your my friend till the end
can i come
can i call
will say the right thing
and explain what cha mean(i will)
can you show me (watch me)how to get through
we i can see oh oh)
Video
Don't Change (feat. Kiera "Kiki" Sheard)
Meaning & Inspiration
Karen Clark Sheard’s "Don't Change," released on November 4, 2003, as part of her album *The Heavens Are Telling*, delivers a poignant and timeless message through an intimate conversation between a mother and her daughter. The song immediately plunges into a raw, relatable dialogue, where the daughter, KeKe, expresses the anxieties and pressures of navigating faith and identity in a challenging world, while her mother, Karen, offers wisdom rooted in her own experiences and unwavering belief. This dynamic beautifully illustrates the biblical mandate for intergenerational discipleship, showcasing the wisdom passed down from parent to child as outlined in Deuteronomy 6:6-7, which urges parents to impress God’s commands upon their children, talking about them when they sit, walk, lie down, and rise.
The narrative unfolds with KeKe vocalizing her struggle to embody a Christian girl without being ostracized or ridiculed. Her fear of being "made fun of" for her faith resonates deeply, mirroring the scriptural warnings about the world's antagonism towards believers. Jesus Himself prepared His followers for this, stating in John 15:18-19, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first... you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." KeKe's mother responds with a firm yet comforting truth, advising her not to be "justified by what your friends might think." This counsel directly echoes Galatians 1:10, where Paul challenges the pursuit of human approval over God’s, asking, "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." Proverbs 29:25 also warns that "fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe." The mother's wisdom here is invaluable, guiding her daughter away from the treacherous path of peer validation towards the steadfastness of divine acceptance.
As the song progresses, KeKe acknowledges her efforts to obey her parents' rules, recognizing their protective intent to keep her "from doin' somethin' that I might regret," even though it feels difficult. She pleads, "even though it's hard mama don't change," highlighting her need for consistent guidance. Her mother affirms that parenting is a demanding task, emphasizing the importance of "discipline and values," and reminding KeKe that these are essential for her growth. This exchange powerfully illustrates Proverbs 22:6, "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it," and Ephesians 6:1-3, which commands children to obey and honor their parents, promising that "it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." The mother's consistency, even in firmness, is portrayed as a loving act of discipleship, shaping her daughter's character.
KeKe further expresses her internal conflict in the second verse, declaring her special identity as "a child of the King" but lamenting that in school, she's perceived as "arrogant." She questions why being proud of herself, as her mother taught, seems to lead to negative reactions. This moment captures the tension between righteous self-esteem derived from one's identity in Christ (John 1:12, 1 Peter 2:9) and the world's misinterpretation of such confidence. Her mother again provides clarity, instructing KeKe on how to respond when "attacked by the hands of the enemy": to "hold your head up high and in Him you must believe." This is a call to spiritual fortitude, equipping KeKe with the armor of God described in Ephesians 6:11-17 to "stand against the devil’s schemes." It is a reminder that spiritual battles require spiritual weapons, and ultimate belief in God’s sovereignty provides the strength to endure, as reinforced by 1 John 4:4, "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."
The bridge, featuring J-Moss, broadens the scope of the temptations faced by young people, touching on material desires seen on "T.V. screens" and the allure of "quick" wealth, symbolized by luxury cars. J-Moss wisely reminds that "mama knows best" and "daddy told you whenever you come come correct," advocating for patience and the development of a young lady. This expands the song’s message to address the pervasive materialism and instant gratification culture, echoing 1 John 2:15-17 which warns against loving the world and its desires, and Romans 12:2, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." The parental wisdom here encourages a long-term perspective, valuing character and spiritual growth over fleeting worldly possessions, aligning with Proverbs 21:5, which states that "the plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty."
"Don't Change" culminates in a powerful affirmation of the enduring bond between parent and child, grounded in mutual support and shared faith. KeKe reassures her mother, "I hear you and daddy too," expressing gratitude for their guidance. The mother's response, "we can make it together," encapsulates the spirit of fellowship and encouragement, a testament to the strength found in Christian community and family. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 beautifully articulates this: "Two are better than one... Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." The song leaves the listener with a sense of hope and purpose, affirming that steadfast faith, nurtured through wise counsel and a strong family unit, provides an unshakeable foundation against the shifting tides of the world. It’s a profound call to young believers to remain true to their identity in Christ and to parents to continue to teach and model that unwavering faith, trusting that their consistent love and biblical instruction will guide their children toward a life lived fully for God.