Peterson’s artistic successes may be surpassed by his skill in connecting people, embodied in the Rabbit Room online community (RabbitRoom.com), which gathers contributions from authors, songwriters, and pastors, encouraging creativity and referencing its ultimate source. The thread of community, also a theme of Counting Stars, imbues his beloved annual Christmas show, Behold The Lamb Of God, a long-running multi-artist tour based on Peterson’s original Christmas album of the same name. In all of these works, Peterson’s listeners can hear reminders that community, beauty, and hope all point back to the God “who gave music the power to carry his light into the darkness.” Andrew, his wife Jamie, and their three children make their home in Nashville.
All The Way Home
Andrew Peterson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With a dream in his head and a bride in his arms
Everyone said, "You're crazy:
But everyone longed to go
So from Memphis to Lakeport my grandfather came
Six girls and a boy grew up in that Florida rain
They were carried along like leaves on a river of faith
They'd float
All the way home
They followed the tracks that the saints have trod
By the grace of God
They walked in the rain of His mercy
Let it soak them down to the bone
And they splashed in its puddles
And danced in its streams as they'd go
And, oh, they walked in the rain of His mercy
All the way home
I have slept in the house where my mother was born
And I've seen the sun set on the lake that gave birth to those storms
Well, they may not have walked on water
But I know that their house stood firm
All the way home
They followed the tracks that the saints have trod
By the grace of God
They walked in the rain of His mercy
Let it soak them down to the bone
And they splashed in its puddles
And danced in its streams as they'd go
And, oh, they walked in the rain of His mercy
When they sat in their home
When they walked along the road
When they slept and when they rose
The words of the Lord were impressed on their minds
And after all this time
I'm carried along like a leaf on a river of faith
And I'll float
All the way home
Yes, I'll follow the tracks that the saints have trod
By the grace of God
I'll walk in the rain of His mercy
Let it soak me down to the bone
And I'll splash in its puddles
And dance in its streams as I go
And, Lord, I'll walk in the rain of Your mercy
All the way home
The song "All The Way Home" by Andrew Peterson is a tribute to his ancestors who followed their faith by walking on the path of saints. The song opens with a recollection of the journey of his grandfather from Memphis to Lakeport with his bride, ignoring the warnings of everyone else. The lyrics then go on to describe how his grandfather's family grew up, moving along with the river of faith that soaked and carried them. Peterson marvels at the resilience of his ancestors who might not have walked on water, but their faith kept their house standing firm.
The song speaks of grandparents who believed in the grace of God, lived by the words of the Lord and walked along the path of saints. Peterson identifies himself with his ancestors, who floated along the river of faith and kept their beliefs and faith close to their hearts. The song emphasizes how the faith and belief have been passed down from generations and is a constant that goes on guiding us as we all float along the same river of faith. It's a reminder that remembering one's roots, and carrying the legacy forward is pivotal in keeping the faith alive.
Line by Line Meaning
Daniel hollered goodbye to the old river barge
Daniel said farewell to his old life and embraced a new future with his bride.
With a dream in his head and a bride in his arms
Daniel had aspirations for the future and a loved one by his side.
Everyone said, "You're crazy:
Despite the criticisms and doubts of others, Daniel pursued his dreams.
But everyone longed to go
Though others may not have had the courage to leave their old life behind, they still longed for something more.
So from Memphis to Lakeport my grandfather came
The artist's grandfather journeyed a long distance to find a new home.
Six girls and a boy grew up in that Florida rain
The grandfather started a family and raised his children in Florida despite the difficulties that came with living there.
They were carried along like leaves on a river of faith
The family was guided by their strong religious beliefs and trusted that everything would work out for the best.
They'd float
The family remained flexible and went with the flow, adapting to whatever life threw their way.
All the way home
The family never lost sight of where they were headed, always moving forward on their journey.
They followed the tracks that the saints have trod
The family took inspiration from the lives of those who came before them, striving to emulate their examples of faith and strength.
By the grace of God
The family recognized that their journey was made possible by the grace of a higher power.
They walked in the rain of His mercy
The family felt the blessings of divine mercy throughout their journey.
Let it soak them down to the bone
The family fully embraced and appreciated the blessings they were given.
And they splashed in its puddles
The family joyfully celebrated the goodness they experienced at every opportunity.
And danced in its streams as they'd go
The family lived their lives with a sense of joy and freedom, seeing every part of their journey as a blessing.
When they sat in their home
Even when they were stationary, the family continued to live by their religious principles.
When they walked along the road
Their daily journeys were infused with a sense of purpose and direction.
When they slept and when they rose
They lived every moment of their lives with the knowledge that they were blessed and guided by a higher power.
The words of the Lord were impressed on their minds
The family internalized the teachings of their faith, allowing it to shape their worldview and guide their actions.
And after all this time
Even after many years have passed, the message of their journey remains relevant and powerful.
I'm carried along like a leaf on a river of faith
The artist continues to feel the guiding presence of faith in their own life.
And, Lord, I'll walk in the rain of Your mercy
The artist intends to live their own life with the same level of appreciation and joy that their family did, recognizing the blessings they have been given.
Contributed by Claire I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.