Duho… Read Full Bio ↴Andrew Duhon is an American singer-songwriter from New Orleans.
Duhon began his writing in highschool as a result of his fascination with the works of Emerson and Thoreau as well as poets Walt Whitman and Robert Frost. During the summer of '02 Duhon worked and lived at an old retreat house on the outskirts of the French Quarter of New Orleans. It was then that he fell in love with the character of the city. A year later hurricane Katrina left the city and his former French Quarter home crippled. The blues that he had found in the French Quarter rang true as Duhon continued to write. The honesty in Duhon's songwriting is a result of the self realization that he has found through his writing. His music and shows reflect his personal perspective in a very real way, and his voice leaves no gaps in the experience as he sings with a conviction all too befitting of his raw, personal writings.
Promised Land
Andrew Duhon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is a poor mother
With nothing but dreams
For her daughter
She′ll walk for miles and miles in the rain
I have never known that kind of pain
The more I love, the less I trust in money
The more I travel, the more I feel
That I'm a man without a country
Is there truth in the story of the promised land
My mother′s got a good kind heart
My mother's got a good kind of cancer
You don't die from, you just die with
When I got questions ′bout love
You know she′ll say "the only good answer's gonna come
From the heart that′s asking it"
The more I love, the less I trust in money
The more I get to know the soul of my fellow man
The more I travel, the more I feel
That I'm a man without a country
Is there truth in the story of the promised land
Motherland, fatherland, sisterland, brotherland
I am hopeful every time I lend a hand
So I′m reaching out
I'm reaching out
The more I love, the less I trust in money
The more I get to know the soul of my fellow man
The more I travel, the more I feel
That I′m a man without a country
Is there truth in the story of the promised land
The lyrics to Andrew Duhon's song Promised Land paint a picture of the struggles faced by those who come from humble beginnings and the cost of true love in a world so heavily influenced by wealth. The first verse speaks to the idea that sometimes being a forefather isn't always about being a man, but rather a mother with dreams for her daughter. This mother would go to great lengths, even walking miles in the rain, to ensure her daughter's success. The pain she endures to see her daughter succeed is something the singer has never known. This verse shows the immense sacrifices that are made in the pursuit of success and the role that family plays in it.
The chorus of the song reflects on the singer's own journey and experiences. With each new discovery, he finds himself losing faith in the protection that money offers and instead leans more toward human connection. He speaks of traveling the world and feeling like a man without a country, searching for the promised land of a place where he belongs. The questioning nature of the chorus echoes the pain and struggles of those searching for their own promised land, whatever that may be.
The final verse of the song speaks to the singer's relationship with his mother. Although she has a form of cancer that won't ultimately cause her death, he turns to her for guidance on love. Her answer is that the only true answer can come from the heart that's asking the question. This verse highlights the importance of family in our lives and how sometimes, even as we grow older, we still need their guidance and love.
Overall, Promised Land is a poignant and honest song that reflects on the large and small struggles faced in the pursuit of a better life while highlighting the importance of love and family in the journey.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes a forefather
Sometimes the person who sets you on your path isn't your father, but your mother with nothing but a dream for you.
Is a poor mother
That mother may not have much, but she has enough to love and guide you.
With nothing but dreams
Despite the lack of resources, that mother has hope and vision for you.
For her daughter
That hope and vision is focused entirely on making a better life for her child.
She'll walk for miles and miles in the rain
The mother's determination to achieve her dream for her child will take her great distances, regardless of the hardships she faces.
I have never known that kind of pain
The singer recognizes that he has never experienced the hardships that his foremothers have faced in order to pave the way for him.
The more I love, the less I trust in money
As the singer gains more love and connection with others, he realizes that material wealth is not the foundation of true happiness or security.
The more I get to know the soul of my fellow man
Through deeper connections with others, the artist is able to see beyond surface level differences and connect with their humanity.
The more I travel, the more I feel
Through experiences in new places, the artist gains new insights and emotions about himself and the world around him.
That I'm a man without a country
Despite his travels, the artist identifies with a sense of rootlessness or not feeling fully at home in any one place.
Is there truth in the story of the promised land
Amidst this quest for deeper meaning and belonging, the singer questions the idea of a promised land, and whether such a place truly exists.
My mother's got a good kind heart
Despite the hardships his mother has faced, the artist knows her heart is pure and kind.
My mother's got a good kind of cancer
Even the illness his mother faces is one that will not rob her of her spirit or her goodness.
You don't die from, you just die with
The cancer will not be the cause of his mother's death, but rather something she faces while alive.
When I got questions 'bout love
When the singer is grappling with issues of love and relationships,
You know she'll say 'the only good answer's gonna come
His mother's wisdom teaches him that the best answers don't come from someone else's words, but from the heart asking the questions.
From the heart that's asking it'
To find the answers you need, you must look within yourself.
Motherland, fatherland, sisterland, brotherland
The singer recognizes the importance of family and community connections in establishing roots and identity.
I am hopeful every time I lend a hand
The singer gains a sense of optimism and purpose from helping others.
So I'm reaching out
In order to connect with others and build a sense of home, the artist is willing to take risks and reach out to others.
The more I love, the less I trust in money
The artist reiterates his realization that love and relationships matter more than material wealth.
The more I get to know the soul of my fellow man
Deeper connections with others continue to reveal the shared humanity that underpins all differences.
The more I travel, the more I feel
The singer continues to seek out new experiences and emotions through travel.
That I'm a man without a country
Despite his search for belonging, the artist still feels that he doesn't fully have a sense of home or identity.
Is there truth in the story of the promised land
The singer repeats his questioning of the idea of a promised land or any sort of definitive sense of belonging.
Writer(s): Andrew Duhon
Contributed by Jack L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.