I Smile – English Lyrics

• By: Kirk Franklin

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the uplifting power of faith through Kirk Franklin's "I Smile", a contemporary gospel song blending urban beats with a message of unwavering hope. Learn how to express resilience and find joy in challenging times by embracing the song's message of choosing faith over despair, and letting your smile shine through any situation.

[English]

I dedicate this song to recession

Depression and unemployment

This song's for you

Today's a new day, and there is no sunshine

Nothing but clouds, and it's dark in my heart

And it feels like a cold night

Today's a new day, where are my blue skies

Where is the love and the joy that you promised me

You tell me it's alright

I'll be honest with you

I almost gave up, but a power that I can't explain

Fell from heaven like a shower

(When I think how much better I'm gonna be when this is over)

I smile, even though I'm hurt, see I smile

I know God is working so I smile

Even though I've been here for a while (what do you do?)

I smile, smile (come on)

It's so hard to look up when you look down

I sure would hate to see you give up now (god's people)

You look so much better when you smile, so smile

(Now everyday ain't gon' be perfect

But still don't mean today don't have purpose, c'mon)

Today's a new day, but there is no sunshine

Nothing but clouds, and it's dark in my heart

And it feels like a cold night

Today's a new day, tell me where are my blue skies (where is that love, y'all?)

Where is the love and the joy that you promised me

You tell me it's alright (the truth is)

I almost gave up, but a power that I can't explain (holy ghost power y'all)

Fell from heaven like a shower (but now I ain't even hurt y'all but still...)

I smile (c'mon), even though I'm hurt to see I smile (I think I feel that)

I know God is working so I smile

Even though I've been here for a while (still)

I smile, smile (hallelujah)

It's so hard to look up when you look down

Sure would hate to see you give up now (cursed people)

You look so much better when you smile

Smile, for me

Can you just smile... For me? (Whatever you're in right now)

Smile, for me (smile)

Can you just smile... For me (and my people say)

Oh-oh-oh you look so much better when you

Oh-oh-oh you look so much better when you

Oh-oh-oh you look so much better when you (I say)

Oh-oh-oh you look so much better when you (and why are you waiting?)

Oh-oh-oh you look so much better when you (yeah and why are you praying)

Oh-oh-oh you look so much better when you

Oh-oh-oh you look so much better when you (look in the mirror)

Oh-oh-oh you look so much better when you (always remember)

You look so much better when you smile

I almost gave up, but a power that I can't explain

Fell from heaven like a shower down

(Came down from heaven hardships, can't forget it

Still this is what I do)

I smile, even though I'm hurt, see I smile

I know God is working, so I smile (all things are working)

Even though I've been here for a while (still)

I smile, smile (hallelujah)

It's so hard to look up when you look down (I know someone right now)

Sure would hate to see you give up now

You look so much better when you smile

So smile (Dallas)

Oh-oh-oh you look so much better when you (New Orleans, c'mon)

Oh-oh-oh you look so much better when you (Cleveland)

Oh-oh-oh you look so much better when you (Detroit)

Oh-oh-oh you look so much better when you

Oh-oh-oh you look so much better when you

Oh-oh-oh you look so much better when you

Oh-oh-oh you look so much better when you

Oh-oh-oh you look so much better when you

Smile

I just want you to be happy

I want you to have joy 'cause can't nobody

Take that away from you

I see you. Smile!

(Oh-oh-oh) y'all want some more?

(Oh-oh-oh) y'all want some more?

(Oh-oh-oh) yes, y'all want some more there?

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
smile /smaɪl/ A1	verb - to have a happy expression on your face noun - an expression on your face that shows happiness
day /deɪ/ A1	noun - the period of 24 hours
heart /hɑːrt/ A1	noun - the organ in your chest that pumps blood
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - a strong feeling of affection
joy /dʒɔɪ/ A2	noun - a feeling of great happiness
working /ˈwɜːrkɪŋ/ A2	verb - Exerting effort to do, make, or perform something.
look /lʊk/ A1	verb - to direct your eyes in order to see
clouds /klaʊdz/ A2	noun - visible mass of condensed watery vapour floating in the atmosphere
dark /dɑːrk/ A2	adjective - with little or no light
skies /skaɪz/ A2	noun - the region of the atmosphere and outer space seen from the earth
power /ˈpaʊər/ B1	noun - the ability to do something
heaven /ˈhevən/ B1	noun - the place believed by some religions to be where God lives
hurt /hɜːrt/ B1	verb - to cause physical or emotional pain adjective - physically or emotionally injured
purpose /ˈpɜːrpəs/ B2	noun - the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.
shower /ˈʃaʊər/ B1	noun - a brief and light fall of rain.

Key Grammar Structures

• Nothing but clouds, and it's dark in my heart

  ➔ Use of 'nothing but' to emphasize exclusivity or limitation.

  ➔ 'nothing but' means 'only' or 'merely', emphasizing exclusivity.

• Today’s a new day, and there is no sunshine

  ➔ Use of 'a new day' to indicate a fresh start or new beginning.

  ➔ 'a new day' symbolizes the opportunity for a fresh start or hope.

• It feels like a cold night

  ➔ Use of 'like' to compare feelings to something else metaphorically.

  ➔ 'like' is used as a preposition to make a simile, comparing feelings to a cold night.

• You look so much better when you smile

  ➔ Use of 'when' to introduce a temporal clause indicating the condition under which the statement is true.

  ➔ 'when' introduces a subordinate clause indicating the time or condition for the main action.

• I almost gave up, but a power that I can't explain

  ➔ Use of 'almost' to indicate a near act or event.

  ➔ 'almost' is an adverb indicating that something nearly happened or was true.

• It’s so hard to look up when you look down

  ➔ Use of infinitive 'to look up' following 'hard' to express difficulty.

  ➔ 'to look up' is an infinitive phrase showing the purpose or difficulty of the action.

• You look so much better when you smile

  ➔ Use of the comparative 'so much better' to emphasize improvement.

  ➔ 'so much better' is a phrase used to emphasize a significant improvement or positive change.