Make Do And Mend is an American post-hardcore band from West Hartford, Conn… Read Full Bio ↴Make Do And Mend is an American post-hardcore band from West Hartford, Connecticut, formed in 2006. They first released a 6-track EP (We're All Just Living) in 2007, and then a follow-up EP (Bodies Of Water). They gave it for free online, and then Panic Records called to help out with an official release, which came true in March 2009. At the end of the year, the band entered the studio to record two songs for a split album with Touché Amoré, released September 2010 on Panic Records. On October 26th, 2010, Make Do And Mend released their first full-length album, entitled End Measured Mile--a split label release between Paper + Plastick and Panic Records.
The band announced they had signed with Rise Records and would be recording a new album in February 2012. On June 19th, 2012, the band released a new record, (Everything You Ever Loved). While technically members of "The Wave", along with La Dispute, Touché Amoré, Pianos Become the Teeth, and Defeater, the band has since clarified that "The Wave" was merely an inside joke between those bands and does not represent a particular movement or subgenre in post-hardcore.

Current members:
James Carroll - guitar, vocals
Mike O'Toole - guitar
Luke Schwartz - bass guitar
Matt Carroll - drums

Keep This
Make Do and Mend Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

We let the years pass and shatter us like glass.
We let our ships crash against the banks of our regret.
It’s not that I can’t grasp all of the things we let collapse,
I just wonder what’s the sense in looking back

'Cause I don’t think there’s something I would trade
for the food stamps and the rent we barely make.
So maybe I’m fucking up, but that’s a chance I’m going to take.

I’m just waiting for the rain to clean my slate.

It’s so hard to believe that by December we’ll see Europe
while my friends at home are decorating trees.
And this gift that I’ve received comes instruction free,
and that’s exactly how I want my life to be.

So I don’t think there’s something I would trade
for the phone calls and the time I've spend awake.
'Cause last night I lied awake and watched her sleeping next to me,
and as each breath left her chest it occurred to me…

-

I don’t think there’s something I would trade
for the endless list of the mistakes I’ve made.

Maybe I’m fucking up, but I think that that’s ok,
just so long as I’m learning every day.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Make Do and Mend's song Keep This reflect a deep sense of reflection and introspection. The opening lines, "We let the years pass and shatter us like glass. We let our ships crash against the banks of our regret," speak to the idea that time can be both destructive and unforgiving, as well as the fact that past mistakes can lead to feelings of regret and self-doubt. However, the singer's perspective is one of acceptance and moving forward. Despite acknowledging the things that have fallen apart and the struggles of daily life, the singer ultimately finds a sense of fulfillment and even joy in their experiences.

The line, "It’s so hard to believe that by December we’ll see Europe while my friends at home are decorating trees," also speaks to the idea of choosing one's own path and finding personal fulfillment. While it may be easy to compare oneself to others and feel as though they are falling behind in life, the singer is instead embracing their own journey and experiences. This is further emphasized by the refrain, "I don’t think there’s something I would trade," which suggests a sense of contentment with one's life as it is.

Overall, the lyrics of Keep This offer a message of resilience and determination in the face of life's obstacles. While there may be struggles and setbacks along the way, the singer is committed to learning and growing from their experiences, and finding joy in life's small moments.

Line by Line Meaning

We let the years pass and shatter us like glass.
We didn't take action to prevent the passage of time from damaging us.

We let our ships crash against the banks of our regret.
Our mistakes have hurt our progress and we haven't changed our course to avoid them.

It’s not that I can’t grasp all of the things we let collapse, I just wonder what’s the sense in looking back
I understand what went wrong, but I question the value of dwelling on it.

'Cause I don’t think there’s something I would trade for the food stamps and the rent we barely make. So maybe I’m fucking up, but that’s a chance I’m going to take. I’m just waiting for the rain to clean my slate.
Despite our financial struggles, I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. I'm taking a risk and waiting for a new opportunity to start fresh.

It’s so hard to believe that by December we’ll see Europe while my friends at home are decorating trees. And this gift that I’ve received comes instruction free, and that’s exactly how I want my life to be.
We have an opportunity to travel, which is hard to believe compared to our friends' traditional holiday activities. This gift is unique and invaluable because it comes without expectations of how to use it.

So I don’t think there’s something I would trade for the phone calls and the time I've spend awake. 'Cause last night I lied awake and watched her sleeping next to me, and as each breath left her chest it occurred to me…
I wouldn't trade the time spent connecting with loved ones, as it's led to moments of deep contemplation and appreciation.

I don’t think there’s something I would trade for the endless list of the mistakes I’ve made. Maybe I’m fucking up, but I think that that’s ok, just so long as I’m learning every day.
Mistakes are part of life and I wouldn't trade the lessons learned from them. It's okay to make mistakes as long as I'm constantly growing and improving.

Contributed by Kaitlyn E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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