Jordan
The Danberrys Lyrics
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He carved his name into the sand and wondered how the world would end
He never lived inside these walls of fear and anger
He never looked behind to see who was chasing after
But nevermind that smile, the Devil’s got his hands tied
He won’t let him be, he won’t let him be, he’ll never let him be
Those railroad ties stretched for miles, like a dream rolled out before his eyes
In a little while they’ll wonder where he could be
And would it have been kind to leave his soul flying free
But they struck him down and nailed his heart to the ground
Now he won’t love again, he won’t love again, he’ll never love again
Now here they come
With their hearts filled up
And they poor it out
What weighs them down
After wind and rain there comes a time when all is silent
And every eye looks out through the veil of time unraveled
Now only one remains and she knows only what she knows
That she won’t let him go, she won’t let him go, she’ll never let him go.
I set out on this earth with a big old heart and auburn curls
I carved my name into the sand and wondered how the world would end
The Danberrys’s “Jordan” is a hauntingly beautiful song that tells the story of a person who set out on life with a big old heart and dark black curls. This person never lived in fear and anger, always looking forward without looking back. The Devil tries to get in the way, but this person will not be deterred. He left to go home at half past five, enjoying the miles of railroad ties that stretched out like a dream before him. However, this person will never love again because they were struck down and their heart was nailed to the ground.
The song suggests that this person is no longer alive, and others are left wondering where they could be. They question if it would have been kind to leave their soul flying free. But now, only one person remains, who will never let the memory of this person go. The last verse changes the lyrics to “I set out on this earth with a big old heart and auburn curls” implying that the singer may be the person who was struck down, or they may be a loved one left behind to carry on their name.
Overall, “Jordan” is a touching song that captures the essence of life and death. It reminds us of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing those we love before it’s too late.
Line by Line Meaning
He set out on this earth with a big old heart and dark black curls
The subject of the song was born with a warm and generous heart and had curly black hair
He carved his name into the sand and wondered how the world would end
He reflected on his existence and mortality through the act of carving his name into the sand
He never lived inside these walls of fear and anger
He refused to succumb to negative emotions such as fear and anger and lived without them
He never looked behind to see who was chasing after
He did not feel the need to look back and see if anyone was pursuing him
But nevermind that smile, the Devil’s got his hands tied
Although he may have appeared carefree, he was being restrained by negative forces
He left for home at half past five, kicking up stones to pass the time
He leisurely made his way home, passing the time by kicking up stones
Those railroad ties stretched for miles, like a dream rolled out before his eyes
The long stretch of railroad tracks seemed almost surreal to him
In a little while they’ll wonder where he could be
Soon, people will ponder his whereabouts
And would it have been kind to leave his soul flying free
Some may question if it was compassionate to allow him to roam freely, even in death
But they struck him down and nailed his heart to the ground
He was attacked and left emotionally wounded and unable to love again
Now here they come with their hearts filled up
Others may approach with good intentions
And they poor it out, what weighs them down
They reveal their burdens to the subject
After wind and rain there comes a time when all is silent
After tumultuous times, calmness eventually prevails
And every eye looks out through the veil of time unraveled
Everyone examines the future with a newfound clarity and understanding
Now only one remains and she knows only what she knows
Only one person remains, and she is only aware of what she knows for certain
That she won’t let him go, she won’t let him go, she’ll never let him go.
She is unwilling to let go of his memory and love, even in death
I set out on this earth with a big old heart and auburn curls
The perspective shifts to the singer, who similarly possesses a warm heart and curly auburn hair
I carved my name into the sand and wondered how the world would end
The singer has also pondered their existence and mortality through the act of carving their name into the sand
Contributed by Micah M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.