You've probably heard it on a Sunday morning or scrolling through a Reels feed where the energy just feels... different. It’s that raw, gritty vocal that starts low and builds into a roar. When people search for i still got a praise inside of me lyrics, they aren't usually looking for a polished pop song. They’re looking for "I’ve Got a Praise Inside of Me" by Beverly Crawford. It’s an anthem. Honestly, it’s more of an explosion than a song.
Gospel music has this unique way of capturing human desperation and victory in the same breath. This track, specifically the live version from the Live from Family Affair 2 album, has become a staple in the Black Church and beyond because it tap-dances on the line between personal testimony and congregational warfare. It’s not just about singing; it’s about survival.
The Story Behind the Shout
Beverly Crawford isn’t your typical studio singer. She’s a "praise leader" in the most literal sense of the Word. When she recorded "I’ve Got a Praise Inside of Me," she brought a traditional, quartet-influenced style into a modern worship setting. That’s why the i still got a praise inside of me lyrics resonate so deeply—they aren't flowery. They’re blunt.
Think about the context of the early 2000s gospel scene. Everything was getting very sleek, very Kirk Franklin-esque. Then comes Crawford with a voice that sounds like it was forged in the red clay of Gainesville, Florida. She’s singing about having a "praise" trapped in her bones that has to get out. It’s Jeremiah 20:9 put to a Hammond B3 organ. People connect with that because life is hard, and sometimes a quiet prayer doesn't cut it.
The song starts with a simple premise. You’ve been through hell. The devil tried to take your mind, your health, or your family. But—and this is the "but" that changes everything—you’re still here. And because you’re still here, you have an obligation to make some noise about it.
Breaking Down the I Still Got a Praise Inside of Me Lyrics
The structure of the song is actually quite repetitive, which is intentional. In gospel "drive" sections, the repetition serves to build spiritual momentum.
"The devil thought he had me, but I got away."
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That line is the pivot point. It’s the "vamp" where the band locks into a groove and Crawford starts to improvise. When you look up the i still got a praise inside of me lyrics, you’ll find the basic stanzas, but the magic is in the ad-libs. She starts talking about how the enemy tried to "trip her up" or "tie her down."
It’s personal.
Most people don't realize that Beverly Crawford comes from a family of 14 children. She grew up in a house where singing wasn't a hobby; it was a way of life. That lived experience vibrates through the lyrics. When she says she still has a praise, she isn't speculating. She's documenting.
Why It’s Not Just a Song
Social media has given this song a massive second life. If you spend five minutes on TikTok, you’ll see creators using the "shout" portion of the track to underscore moments of triumph. It might be someone graduating college after a struggle, or someone finally getting their own apartment. The i still got a praise inside of me lyrics have become a universal shorthand for "I survived the plot against me."
Interestingly, the song functions as a psychological "release valve." Music therapists often talk about the importance of catharsis. In the Pentecostal tradition, this is called "the sacrifice of praise." It means praising when you don't feel like it, when the bank account is negative, or when the doctor's report is grim.
The Musicality of the "Inner Praise"
If you’re trying to learn the song for a choir or a solo, you have to understand the "flat-foot" singing style. Crawford doesn't use a lot of light head voice. It’s all chest. It’s all power.
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The chord progression is a classic 1-4-5 gospel blues hybrid, but the bridge shifts into a minor key that creates tension. That tension represents the "test." When the music finally resolves back into the major key for the chorus, that’s the "testimony."
The lyrics usually go something like this:
- I’ve got a praise inside of me.
- I’ve got to get it out of me.
- I’ve got a praise inside of me.
- And I’ve got to let it out!
It’s simple. Effective. Loud.
Why Do We Keep Coming Back to This Song?
There’s a lot of "Christian" music that feels like it’s trying to sell you something. A lifestyle, a look, a vibe. But i still got a praise inside of me lyrics feel like they’re trying to save your life.
Cultural critics often point out that Beverly Crawford represents the bridge between the old-school gospel greats like Mahalia Jackson and the new-school powerhouse vocalists like Tasha Cobbs Leonard. She has that "squall"—that gravelly growl that signifies authenticity.
When you’re searching for the i still got a praise inside of me lyrics, you’re often looking for that specific feeling of defiance. It’s a song for the underdog. It’s a song for the person who was counted out.
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How to Truly "Get" the Song
If you want to experience this song correctly, don't just read the lyrics on a screen. You have to watch the live performance. Watch how the background singers are literally sweating. Watch the drummer.
The "praise" she’s talking about isn't a polite "thank you" to the universe. It’s a "shout" that demands space. In a world that often asks people—especially marginalized people—to be quiet and take up less room, this song is an act of rebellion.
It says: "I am still here, and I will be heard."
Practical Next Steps for Gospel Enthusiasts
To get the most out of your search for these lyrics and this musical style, here is how you should proceed:
- Listen to the 2007 Live Recording: This is the definitive version. The studio versions don't capture the "anointing" or the raw energy of the room.
- Study the Vamp: If you are a musician, pay attention to the bass line during the "I got away" section. It’s a masterclass in gospel-funk syncopation.
- Explore Beverly Crawford’s Catalog: If you like this, check out "He’s Done Enough." It carries the same heavy-hitting vocal energy.
- Understand the "Shout" Tradition: Research the "Ring Shout" and its origins in African American history to see why the physical act of "getting the praise out" is so culturally significant.
- Cross-Reference Lyrics: Sometimes lyrics sites mistake "praise" for "prayer" or "power." Ensure you are looking at the transcriptions from the Live from Family Affair 2 set for the most accurate phrasing used in the viral clips.
The i still got a praise inside of me lyrics are more than just words on a page. They are a blueprint for resilience. Whether you’re in a church pew or just in your car trying to make it through a Monday, these words serve as a reminder that your internal joy is not dependent on your external circumstances. You’ve still got it. Now, go ahead and let it out.