Born into a musical family, Stone began his professional musical life fronting a band, and self-produced the group's debut album, entitled Carleton Stone Drives the Big Wheel, released in 2009. In 2011, he became a solo artist, releasing the eponymous "Carleton Stone" (produced by Hawksley Workman).
Stone's 2014 album, Draws Blood, was co-produced by Jason Collett, of Broken Social Scene, and Howie Beck. It was dedicated to his friend and mentor Jay Smith, a well-known Canadian musician, who took his own life in 2013 after struggling with addiction and depression.
In 2015, Stone joined forces with musicians Dylan Guthro and Breagh Mackinnon to form folk-pop band Port Cities.
In 2022, Stone began releasing singles from his solo album, "Papercut".
Blood is thicker than water
Carleton Stone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bury it in the yard
Just a delicate reminder
That she took it pretty hard
Take a picture of your father
Light it up in smoke
Oh, he never got the joke
We'll drink 'til it runs dry
Oh my sister take me down to the river
We'll laugh until we cry, whoa
Throw a couple rocks, watch them sink to the bottom
They'll be happy there together, yeah
Oh, blood is thicker than water
Yeah, watch the frames shatter
Help me start a fire
Yeah, these rules were made for breaking
Did it out of spite, yeah
Yeah, all the stupid questions
They won't ever get to ask
Oh, monkeys off our back
Oh my brother take me down to the river
We'll drink 'til it runs dry
Oh my sister take me down to the river
We'll laugh until we cry, whoa
Throw a couple rocks, watch them sink to the bottom
They'll be happy there together, yeah
Oh, blood is thicker than water
Oh my brother take me down to the river
We'll drink 'til it runs dry
Oh my sister take me down to the river
We'll laugh until we cry, whoa
Throw a couple rocks, watch them sink to the bottom
They'll be happy there together, yeah
Oh blood is thicker than water, yeah
Blood is thicker than water
The opening lines of "Take a picture of your mother, Bury it in the yard, Just a delicate reminder, That she took it pretty hard" bring to light the theme of grief and loss in the song. The singer advises someone to take a picture of their mother and bury it in the yard, suggesting a kind of symbolic burial. It's likely that this is a coping mechanism for the person who may be experiencing pain and loss over the death of their mother. The next line "Just a delicate reminder, That she took it pretty hard" could signify that the mother had gone through hardships in her life, and these events may have contributed to her passing away.
In the second verse, the singer directs the person to take a picture of their father and light it up in smoke, which seems to suggest anger and resentment towards the father. The line, "Oh, he never got the joke" implies that there may have been a lack of understanding between father and child. The bridge in the song, "Throw a couple rocks, watch them sink to the bottom, They'll be happy there together" brings up the theme of release and letting go. The rocks represent the weight or emotional baggage that the singer and the person are carrying, and they are happy to see them sink to the bottom.
Overall, the song is about family dynamics, and the different emotions that come with them. The title of the song, "Blood is Thicker Than Water" is a commonly used idiom to suggest that family relationships are stronger than other relationships that we make in our lives. The artist, Carleton Stone, has painted a picture of a family who while mourning the loss of their parents, find solace in each other.
Line by Line Meaning
Take a picture of your mother
Capture an image of your mom
Bury it in the yard
Hide the picture in the ground
Just a delicate reminder
A small memory trigger
That she took it pretty hard
She was deeply hurt
Take a picture of your father
Snap a photo of your dad
Light it up in smoke
Set the picture on fire
Oh, he never got the joke
He never understood
Oh my brother take me down to the river
Brother, bring me to the water
We'll drink 'til it runs dry
We'll drink all of it
Oh my sister take me down to the river
Sister, bring me to the water
We'll laugh until we cry, whoa
Laugh until tears come
Throw a couple rocks, watch them sink to the bottom
Toss rocks, see them fall below
They'll be happy there together, yeah
Those stones will stay content
Oh, blood is thicker than water
Family bonds are strong
Yeah, watch the frames shatter
Observe pictures breaking
Help me start a fire
Assist me in lighting flames
Yeah, these rules were made for breaking
Rules are meant to be broken
Did it out of spite, yeah
Did it with ill-intent
Yeah, all the stupid questions
Those foolish inquiries
They won't ever get to ask
They will never ask again
Oh, monkeys off our back
We've rid ourselves of burdens
Oh blood is thicker than water, yeah
Family ties are stronger, yes
Blood is thicker than water
Family connections run deep
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Elizabeth J. Hayward, Morgan Paige Kenney, Carleton William Stone
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
katt ;p
I was looking for a different song but this song is awesome! Your voice is amazing!
wayne jennings
this is absolute musical and lyrical brilliance. fantastic.
Ross Li
Especially like the begining. Kids are doing a wonderful job in this video!
Bernie Jessome
AWESOME SONG,AND SMOOTH VOCALS..LOVE IT ,BERNIE JESSOME...
Katie Mombourquette
I love the song and the video and I'm so proud of you!! Ps nice new hair cut💜💜😘
dadgad68
Right on bros! Great job!
Patrick Sawler
Awesome, my niece and nephew are in this great new video.
wayne jennings
Fantastic understanding of Dysfunctional families. great song and Lyric. I know this guys a genius.and an old soul for added measure@!!. I already bought it . So ...
Mikey Colbs
Yah buddy. Deadly tune! Miss ya bro
Dylan Thomas
CBC radio 2 brought me here!