Kirk Franklin - 911 Lyrics
Lyrics
Daughter: Hello
Kirk: Hey, it's me, Kirk, I need to speak to Bishop
Daughter: Sure, hold on...
Jakes: Hello...
Kirk: Hey... I got some stuff I need to talk to you about
Lately, pastor I've been...having all these crazy kind of dreams
It's hard to sleep, I can't eat...scary, you know
Jakes: I know what you mean
Kirk: I mean, every since that Tuesday, seems like life's just getting real strange
Jakes: I hear ya
Anthrax, terrorist attacks and... I ain't even trying to get on no plane
Jakes: I feel ya
Kirk: ...and you know when I try to pray, there's a voice that telling that God's not real
Jakes: You know that's just the enemy
Kirk: Yea, but you ain't feelin' me
Jakes: No son, I know just know you feel...
See, just because I preach and teach don't mean I don't get scared sometimes
Kirk: yea, whatever, but you T.D. Jakes
Jakes: Well, then I don't make mistakes...
Kirk: Well...
Jakes: Now, let me tell you what's on my mind...
When your smile is gone (He cares)
Kirk: Yea, but I feel so alone (He's there and...)
Jakes: Although, your heart is heavy, God said: (every burden I will bear)
Kirk: See, but you don't know my (my pain)
And I'm getting so sick and tired of all (this rain)
I just got laid off, and to top it off the rent's due, so tell me what I got to gain
Jakes: Well, see, trials come to make (you strong)
Storms won't last (last long)
Kirk: But how can I trust God in all this mess
Jakes: Well, see that's the reason for the song
See, wherever you go there's one thing ya got to know
God, is right there by your side (weeping may endure for a night)
And he told me to tell you everything (everything's gon' be alright)
So thank you for calling...it's always good to hear from you
Kirk: yea, but...
Jakes: But I gotta go now
Kirk: wait a minute...
Jakes: I got another call on line 2
Kirk: But I ain't through
Kirk: See I'm sick and tired of all these church folk talking about stuff ain't as bad as it seems
See, y'all don't feel my pain...
Jakes: I don't have pain...
Kirk: I don't see how ...you on the cover on Time magazine
Jakes: See, but you're looking at now and you don't know how I struggled and what I've been through
Kirk: Yea, whatever...
Jakes: Now, you crossed the line...
Kirk: I'm just speakin' my mind
Jakes: O.K. so let me speak mine, too (Hmmmmmm)
I've made some mountains, I've seen some valleys, I've even had to cry sometimes
Like when I lost my mother
Kirk: Your mother
Jakes: My mother:
Kirk: I'm sorry...
Jakes: No son...that's fine: ...see life is full of ups and downs but God said
(the storm won't last long)
Kirk: But how'd you make it through
Jakes: Boy, I thought you knew...it was His (love that kept me strong)
When your smile is gone (He cares)
Kirk: But I feel so alone (He's there and...)
Jakes: Although, your heart is heavy, God said...(every burden I will bear)
Kirk: yea, but see...y'all don't feel (my pain)
And I'm getting very sick and tired of all this (this rain)
Just got laid off, and to top it off the rent's due, so tell me, Bishop, what I gotta gain
Jakes: Didn't I tell you trials come to make (you strong)
And those old storms won't (last long)
Kirk: How can I trust God in the midst of all this mess
Jakes: See that's the reason for this song
Wherever you go there's something ya got to know (God still cares)
(weeping may endure for a night)
And he told me to tell you (everything's gon' be alright)
Kirk: Thank you pastor
Jakes: Any time...
Kirk: I think I can make it now...just tell me what I need to do
Jakes: Just pray this prayer with me...
Say: Father (Father) forgive me (forgive me) I'm sorry (I'm sorry)
Please help me (help me) I love you (I love you) I need you (I need you)
Hold me (hold me) Jesus (Jesus)
My heart (my heart) my soul (my soul) please take (please take) control (control)
Right now (Now) now (now) now (now) (right now)
Jakes: When you ain't got no smile (he cares)
Kirk: and even when you feel so alone (he's there and...)
Jakes: Although your heart is heavy, God said (every burden I will bear)
Kirk: And even in the midst of all ya (pain)
And when you're sick and tired of all the rain (this rain)
Remember that the rain won't last always...and in Christ Jesus, you got so much to gain
Jakes: You see your trials come to make you (strong)
And the storms won't last (too long)
Kirk: Remember my brother, my sister...it's only temporary
Jakes: See that's the reason for this song
Wherever you go
Kirk: There's something you've got to know
Jakes: God is still there (weeping may endure for a night)
Kirk: And told me to tell you (everthing's gon' be alright)
ad lib to end
Video
Kirk Franklin ft. TD Jakes - 911
Meaning & Inspiration
"911" by Kirk Franklin, released on February 19, 2002, as part of the album *The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin*, stands as a profound and poignant musical dialogue that transcends mere entertainment, offering a raw, honest look into the struggles of faith amidst life's gravest challenges. This piece functions as a spiritual emergency call, where Kirk, portraying a person overwhelmed by anxiety, reaches out to Bishop T.D. Jakes for guidance in a world turned upside down.
The song immediately immerses us in a conversation, depicting Kirk's profound distress. He recounts vivid, troubling dreams, a loss of appetite and sleep, and a pervasive sense of fear gripping him since "that Tuesday"—an undeniable reference to the September 11th attacks. His anxieties extend to global threats like anthrax and a reluctance to travel, reflecting a widespread post-9/11 apprehension. Even more unsettling, he confesses to a voice of doubt whispering that "God's not real," a testament to the spiritual warfare many experience when shaken by trauma. This initial outpouring powerfully captures the human tendency to question divine presence and goodness in the face of widespread suffering and personal calamity, further complicated by financial worries like being "laid off" and facing overdue rent.
Bishop Jakes, initially offering standard pastoral assurances, is met with Kirk's protest: "You ain't feelin' me." This exchange highlights a critical tension: the perceived disconnect between a leader in faith and the person wrestling with immediate, visceral pain. Kirk further challenges Jakes, pointing to his public image – "you T.D. Jakes," "you on the cover of Time magazine" – implying that such a figure couldn't possibly understand the common person's struggle. This moment is a powerful representation of the doubt and cynicism that can arise when we feel our spiritual guides are too far removed from our reality, echoing the feeling of isolation many encounter during seasons of trial.
However, the song beautifully pivots as Jakes patiently but firmly pushes back, revealing his own deep wounds. He shares his own experience of loss, specifically the death of his mother, effectively breaking down the barrier of perceived invincibility. This moment of shared vulnerability transforms the conversation, moving it from a theological lecture to a truly empathetic exchange. Jakes' admission resonates with the biblical truth found in Romans 12:15, which calls believers to "rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn," demonstrating that authentic leadership often requires transparency about personal suffering to truly connect.
Throughout their dialogue, Jakes consistently offers anchors of hope rooted in Scripture. When Kirk feels "so alone," Jakes reminds him, "He's there." This echoes Hebrews 13:5, where God promises, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." For Kirk's "heavy heart," Jakes assures him that God said, "every burden I will bear," a profound comfort found in 1 Peter 5:7, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you," and Matthew 11:28-30, inviting all who are weary to find rest in Him. Kirk's material concerns—being "laid off" and facing overdue rent—are met with the wisdom that "trials come to make you strong" and "storms won't last long." This aligns perfectly with James 1:2-4, which encourages us to "consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."
The central refrain, "weeping may endure for a night, and everything's gon' be alright," directly quotes and expands upon Psalm 30:5, providing a timeless promise of hope beyond immediate despair. Jakes underscores that God's unwavering presence is the ultimate reason for this assurance. Even when Kirk insists that "y'all don't feel my pain," Jakes reiterates that God "still cares" and that trials ultimately serve a purpose, to strengthen faith. This divine care is not theoretical but a tangible presence, as Isaiah 43:2 affirms, promising God will be with us even through rivers and fire.
The song culminates in a powerful moment of surrender. Kirk, having walked through his doubts and fears with Jakes' guidance, asks what he needs to do. Jakes leads him in a simple, yet profound prayer: "Father, forgive me, I'm sorry, please help me, I love you, I need you, hold me, Jesus, my heart, my soul, please take control." This prayer is a beautiful model of repentance, dependence, and surrender, inviting God to rule in the midst of chaos. It signifies a shift from intellectual understanding to spiritual transformation, embracing the truth of God's sovereignty even when circumstances are bleak, remembering Romans 8:28 that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him."
By the end, both voices merge in affirmation, not just of Jakes' initial pronouncements, but of the hard-won understanding that comes through grappling with pain and doubt. They collectively declare that even in "pain" and "rain," God cares, trials make us "strong," and "the storms won't last too long." The song concludes with a powerful, unified message that God's presence endures, offering comfort and strength for every "911" moment life throws our way. It serves as a resounding testament to the enduring power of faith, community, and the unchanging nature of God's love, urging every soul to call upon Him in times of crisis, knowing that "everything's gon' be alright."