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.
CAROLINA
Andrew Peterson Lyrics
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Through the heat as thick as the blood
That moves my bones
And I don't think much about nothing in Carolina
But it sure feels nice
Not walkin' on steel and stone
Chorus:
Acceptance found in walkin' another mile
And the things I left undone
Become the things I'll never do
Cause I'm floatin' on the wind in Carolina
But my feet still slip in the mud
That holds me down
And I can't help takin' my time in Carolina
Cause the highway hummin'
Might keep me from comin' around
CHORUS
Bridge:
Long gone, it's only one more minute of another long day
Hold on, it's time I gave back
Just a little bit of change
Cause I'm walking in the hills of Carolina
Through the heat as thick as the blood
That saved my soul
And there ain't no doubt about nothing in Carolina
Boy, it sure feels nice
Not living on bread alone
CHORUS
So I think I'll stick around a little while in Carolina...
The song "Carolina" by Andrew Peterson is a reflection on the singer's experience of walking in the hills of Carolina. The first verse establishes the singer's surroundings- the heat, thick as blood, that moves their bones, and the relief they feel walking on natural terrain instead of steel and stone. The singer admits they don't think about much while in Carolina, although they do appreciate the feeling of acceptance they find by walking another mile. The chorus further elucidates this feeling of acceptance and freedom from distractions, saying the things they left undone become the things they'll never do. The second verse continues the theme of freedom and taking one's time, as the singer admits they float on the wind but their feet still slip in the mud. They don't want to be held back by the hum of the highway, which might keep them from returning to Carolina. The bridge suggests that the singer has undergone a change and feels compelled to give back, and ends with a repetition of the first verse, emphasizing the soul-saving nature of the natural world. The song concludes with the singer expressing a desire to stick around a little while longer in Carolina.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I'm walkin' in the hills of Carolina
I am currently walking in the hilly region of Carolina
Through the heat as thick as the blood
Despite the thick, hot weather, I'm still walking
That moves my bones
It's because walking is part of my livelihood and a fundamental part of who I am
And I don't think much about nothing in Carolina
I am in a serene state, not giving much thought to anything particular in Carolina
But it sure feels nice
Not walkin' on steel and stone
I find it refreshing to walk on soil and grass instead of on concrete and asphalt
Far away from everything that keeps me from you,
Being in Carolina has distanced me from anything that keeps me apart from my loved ones
Acceptance found in walkin' another mile
Walking helps me find mental and emotional stability
And the things I left undone
Become the things I'll never do
I aim to focus on completing tasks instead of leaving them undone or picking them up later
Cause I'm floatin' on the wind in Carolina
But my feet still slip in the mud
I feel like I'm moving with the gentle, swaying breeze but my feet still face obstacles like mud that hinder my movement
That holds me down
And I can't help takin' my time in Carolina
As I traverse various muddy paths, I am forced to slow down my pace
Cause the highway hummin'
Might keep me from comin' around
The constant hum of traffic on the highway around me threatens to cause distraction and deter me from visiting Carolina
Long gone, it's only one more minute of another long day
Hold on, it's time I gave back
Just a little bit of change
I've had many tough days, and while each day just adds another minute to my overall struggles, I'm still positive that I can make a difference for myself and others
That saved my soul
And there ain't no doubt about nothing in Carolina
Being in Carolina is therapeutic and healing, and I have no reservations about that
Boy, it sure feels nice
Not living on bread alone
Living outside the city, taking in nature's beauty and connecting with it, is fulfilling and nourishing in a way money and material possessions could never achieve
So I think I'll stick around a little while in Carolina...
I feel content and welcome here that I think I'll stay for a while
Contributed by Tyler M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.