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.
DAY BY DAY
Andrew Peterson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And listened to the children run
Just beyond the garden gate
Where Peter and Wendy played
There was a sign that said we weren't allowed
To duck inside and join the crowd
Without a son or daughter's hand
And it hurt so bad
But it's so good to be young
And I don't want to go back
I just want to go on and on and on
Day by day, day by day
And everybody's so surprised
When right before your very eyes
Your baby's in the second grade
You blink and it's her wedding day
And we just can't get used to being here
Where the ticking clock is loud and clear
Children of eternity
On the run from entropy
And it hurts so bad
But it's so good to be young
And I don't want to go back
I just want to go on and on and on
Day by day, day by day
So don't lose heart
Though your body's wasting away
Your soul is not
It's being remade
Day by day by day
Well, you have never met a single soul
Who didn't feel the curse's toll
Who didn't wish that death would die
Maybe that's the reason why
And it hurts so bad
But it's so good to be young
And I don't want to go back
I just want to go on and on and on
So don't lose heart
Though your body's wasting away
Your soul is not
It's being remade
So don't lose heart
Don't lose heart
Your body will rise and never decay
Day by day by day
The song "Day By Day" by Andrew Peterson is a reflective piece about the passage of time and our human experience of growing old. The first stanza describes a scene of nostalgia: Peterson and a companion visit a place they once knew and are reminded of children's games and adventures. However, the signs and landscape are different, as time has passed and the former playmates are now adults. They are barred by rules from entering the playhouse or joining the children's games, reminding them that the past cannot be regained or relived. Still, Peterson admits, it is "good to be young," suggesting that the feeling of youthfulness and energy can be nostalgic in its own right.
The second stanza broadens the scope of the song beyond the personal narrative of the singer to consider more universal themes of aging and mortality. Peterson notes that even though every human being experiences aging and death, it remains an unfamiliar and uncomfortable experience for us. We struggle to come to terms with the fact that we are "children of eternity / On the run from entropy," that everything will eventually die and decay. Yet, the song ends on a note of hope: "Your soul is not / It's being remade." Peterson suggests that even as our bodies weaken and die, our souls persist and grow stronger, becoming more fully "remade" into what they were always meant to be.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, we took a train to Kensington
We traveled to Kensington by train.
And listened to the children run
We heard the sound of children playing.
Just beyond the garden gate
The children were playing outside, near a garden.
Where Peter and Wendy played
They were playing a game inspired by Peter Pan characters.
There was a sign that said we weren't allowed
We saw a sign that prohibited us from entering.
To duck inside and join the crowd
We couldn't sneak inside with the other people.
Without a son or daughter's hand
One needed to be accompanied by their own child.
To lead us into Neverland
Only children could lead us to Neverland.
And it hurt so bad
The situation was emotionally difficult.
But it's so good to be young
Youthfulness is enjoyable.
And I don't want to go back
I don't want to return to the past.
I just want to go on and on and on
I want to keep moving forward.
Day by day, day by day
One day at a time.
And everybody's so surprised
It's unexpected to watch time fly.
When right before your very eyes
When it happens sooner than expected.
Your baby's in the second grade
Your child is quickly growing up.
You blink and it's her wedding day
Time moves so quickly it might feel like you missed a lot.
And we just can't get used to being here
We can't get used to the passage of time and the changes it brings.
Where the ticking clock is loud and clear
The sound of time passing is always present.
Children of eternity
People are only temporary but time feels eternal.
On the run from entropy
People are trying to fight the effects of time and avoidance of aging.
So don't lose heart
Stay hopeful.
Though your body's wasting away
Even though your body is aging.
Your soul is not
Your soul will remain unchanged.
It's being remade
Your soul is constantly becoming different over time.
Well, you have never met a single soul
Everyone has the same feelings, including the fear of death.
Who didn't feel the curse's toll
Everyone has felt the negative effects of the curse of death.
Who didn't wish that death would die
Everyone wants to live forever and beat death.
Maybe that's the reason why
Perhaps the reason for the fear of death.
Your body will rise and never decay
The body will eventually be restored and never spoil.
Day by day by day
Again, one day at a time.
Lyrics © MUSIC SERVICES, INC.
Written by: ANDREW PETERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tirzah Pinto
This song marked a really trying time for me, around the time my dad passed away. I just kept coming back to it for some perspective and comfort. AP had up and put my longing, my rage, and my hope into a song. Praise God for AP.
srinva
Such a refreshing perspective on our culture's obsession with youth and an encouragement in the truth. Thank you AP!
Sean Sheetz
Excellent tune!
Todd Blackwell
Heard you in concert at the Church at Osage Hills in Osage Beach, MO. a few years ago. Love your music - the message in your music excites me!
Patricia NR
Good song, I loved it.
TheCreepypro
you are the Lord of all our days! may we rejoice and be glad in them!
Mark Brown
love it
NoTrashInHeaven
"Children of eternity, on the run from entropy" ~ ha! so true! Thanks!
MareDia
peter pan and Wendy!