Peace Of Mind
The Grapes Of Wrath Lyrics


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Coming over mountains
The pale beside the wall between us now
Since I refuse to play alone
It's always been another
To do the damage you live everyday
And leave you cursing for escape
Each day I see a ball and chain
Grow a little more in grain
And watch your corner pain
Say'in nothing
Nothing's gonna change
Why is the world so damn unkind
To one so righteous in her mind
The sun won't rise and shine
Will you never find your peace of mind
My father couldn't bother
To play the kind of role the job required
Instead of trying he retired
What so much here to conquer
To feel a long while so-called friends don't phone
You know the pain is not their own
Each day I see a ball and chain
Grow a little more in grain
And watch your corner pain
Say'in nothing
Nothing's gonna change
Why is the world so damn unkind
To one so righteous in her mind
The sun won't rise and shine
Will you never find your peace of mind
Coming over mountains
To feel the tension hiding in these walls
You see a trace of spirit fall
My father couldn't bother
But now he's back to find his place again
Sorry but the book's been burned
Each day I see a ball and chain
Grow a little more in grain
And watch your corner pain
Say'in nothing
Nothing's gonna change
Why is the world so damn unkind
To one so righteous in her mind
The sun won't rise and shine
Will you never find your peace of mind




Your peace of mind
Your peace of mind

Overall Meaning

The song “Peace of Mind” by The Grapes of Wrath tells the story of a person who is struggling to find peace in their life. The opening lines of the song seem to suggest that the person has been trying to bridge the gap between themselves and someone else, but has been unsuccessful. The mention of mountains and walls between them sets up the idea of obstacles, both physical and emotional, that are preventing them from finding peace.


As the song continues, it becomes clear that the person is dealing with a lot of pain and frustration. They observe a ball and chain growing each day, which could represent the burdens of daily life or difficult past experiences that are still affecting them. The line “Why is the world so damn unkind / To one so righteous in her mind” suggests that they feel they are a good person, but are struggling to understand why they are facing so much hardship.


The song ends on a note of uncertainty, with the person still searching for their peace of mind. The final lines reveal that someone has returned to their life, but the mention of a burned book suggests that their past may have to be reckoned with before they can truly move forward.


Line by Line Meaning

Coming over mountains
Traveling a great distance to reach a destination


The pale beside the wall between us now
The contrast and tension between two individuals, who are separated by a physical barrier


Since I refuse to play alone
Not willing to take on a situation by oneself


It's always been another
Someone else causing the problems or difficulties in one's life


To do the damage you live everyday
The constant harm and struggles that one faces regularly


And leave you cursing for escape
Feeling trapped and desperate for a way out


Each day I see a ball and chain
The burden and weight that grows heavier with each passing moment


Grow a little more in grain
The gradual accumulation of stress and hardship


And watch your corner pain
Observing the agony and difficulty that one tries to hide


Say'in nothing
Remaining silent and not speaking out about one's struggles


Nothing's gonna change
Feeling hopeless and powerless to improve one's situation


Why is the world so damn unkind
Questioning the unfairness and suffering in the world


To one so righteous in her mind
Expressing confusion and frustration that even good people face hardship


The sun won't rise and shine
Feeling pessimistic and that good things won't happen


Will you never find your peace of mind
Doubting that one will ever find inner peace and contentment


My father couldn't bother
Describing a lack of responsibility or involvement from a family member


To play the kind of role the job required
Not fulfilling the expectations or duties of a role or job


Instead of trying he retired
Giving up or quitting before making an effort


What so much here to conquer
Questioning the meaning and purpose of one's struggles


To feel a long while so-called friends don't phone
Experiencing loneliness and disappointment that friends don't reach out


You know the pain is not their own
Recognizing that others don't understand or share one's suffering


Coming over mountains
Highlighting the extreme effort and distance needed to confront challenges


To feel the tension hiding in these walls
Sensing an underlying tension or conflict in one's environment


You see a trace of spirit fall
Observing the loss of hope or motivation in oneself or others


But now he's back to find his place again
Describing a return or attempt to regain a sense of belonging


Sorry but the book's been burned
Expressing regret and frustration that something important has been lost or destroyed


Your peace of mind
The desired state of inner calm and tranquility




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JAMES BRACKEN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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