Carolina
Benjamin Gibbard Andrew Kenny Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And all the make-up in the world couldn't hide the scars
I leave today, I'm packing light: a suitcase, some toiletries
The rolling hills and willow trees of Carolina wait for me
You never learned, the rules have changed since we were nine
This isn't school, boys don't assault the girls they like
These two will here on cease to be
Sprouting from your fists and tongue 'cause Carolina waits for me
Fields of grain go whipping by from the window seat
I'm drifting in, I'm drifting out catching up on sleep
I couldn't get indentured since the very crest of 17
I left my keys and broken dreams 'cause Carolina waits for me
I will never forgive a single day
Mile markers seem to call my name and say,
"You're safer now through every town, we'll light your way in reflective green"
All the way, the entire state of Carolina waits for me
The lyrics of Carolina by Benjamin Gibbard and Andrew Kenny exude an emotional intensity that reflects the hurt and trauma of someone who has gone through a difficult experience. The opening lines, "Every scream went bleeding through these paper walls, and all the make-up in the world couldn't hide the scars", describe the emotional pain that has penetrated through the walls despite the attempts to conceal it. The use of the term 'paper walls' implies fragility and permeability, marking the lack of privacy and safety in the situation. The next lines, "I leave today, I'm packing light, a suitcase, some toiletries, The rolling hills and willow trees of Carolina wait for me", signal the need for escape and the hope for a better future. The setting of Carolina seems to be the safe haven that is yearned for, free from pain.
The tone becomes more poignant in the verse, "You never learned, the rules have changed since we were nine, this isn't school, boys don't assault the girls they like", where the persona confronts the perpetrator of the trauma. The lyrics expose the hypocrisy of the person who "assaults" the ones they "like" and the need to call out such behavior. The following lines, "The taste of blood, the claim of love, these two will never cease to be, Sprouting from your fists and tongue 'cause Carolina waits for me", portrays the connection between love and pain, where the abuser claims love while inflicting harm. The persona finds solace in the thought of Carolina, as it offers a chance to move ahead from the past and toward hope.
Line by Line Meaning
Every scream went bleeding through these paper walls
The screams were so loud that they were able to break through the walls.
And all the make-up in the world couldn't hide the scars
No amount of make-up can conceal the scars.
I leave today, I'm packing light: a suitcase, some toiletries
I'm leaving today with very few belongings, just a suitcase and some toiletries.
The rolling hills and willow trees of Carolina wait for me
I'm going to Carolina where there are beautiful hills and willow trees waiting for me.
You never learned, the rules have changed since we were nine
You haven't learned that the rules have changed since we were children.
This isn't school, boys don't assault the girls they like
Assaulting someone is not an acceptable way to show interest in them outside of school.
The taste of blood, the claim of love
Claiming love by causing physical harm is wrong.
These two will here on cease to be
These actions will no longer be tolerated.
Sprouting from your fists and tongue 'cause Carolina waits for me
Violence and harmful words won't stop me from going to Carolina.
Fields of grain go whipping by from the window seat
I'm seeing fields of grain move quickly by from my window seat.
I'm drifting in, I'm drifting out catching up on sleep
I'm dozing off intermittently and trying to catch up on sleep.
I couldn't get indentured since the very crest of 17
I have not been forced to be bound under contract since I was 17.
I left my keys and broken dreams 'cause Carolina waits for me
I left behind everything, including my broken dreams, because I'm going to Carolina.
I will never forgive a single day
I'll never forget anything that happened in the past.
Mile markers seem to call my name and say,
The mile markers on the road seem to be speaking to me.
"You're safer now through every town, we'll light your way in reflective green"
The mile markers are saying that I'm safe as I travel through every town, and they'll guide me with their reflective green color.
All the way, the entire state of Carolina waits for me
Carolina is waiting for me throughout the whole state.
Lyrics Ā© Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHAN KINCHLA, JOHN C. POPPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@wwoods9237
I wish I had remembered this song as I was fleeing domestic violence. I loved it before and rediscovered it after when I was free to like my own interests again.
I didn't go to either of the Carolinas, but I did take a very long bus ride with a suitcase. And I'm glad I did.
And if you're wondering if you should, then.. maybe you should.
@laudanumpotion
Everybody talking about Gibbard when there's two people who made this album possible. His name is Andrew Kenny and he's made amazing music as well.
@pseudogenesis
The vocal harmony in the hook is beautiful.
@thegreatkilljoy1730
pseudogenesis I agree
@garbear384
Came across this gem on pandora. Instant classic!
@earthisbeautiful3921
Garett Jerel I like this song because the title is my name
@MJC1891
Dude has such a great singing voice. Thank you ben
@HoneeGarden
This song means the world to me, I really wish it were on Tidal
@imaflymydroneatit
This song means so much to me
@AtomNotAdam
I've always said that about Ben<3 he is my inspiration when it comes to any kind of writing.