A performance by The Milk Carton Kids is a quiet and intricate affair. The duo have enjoyed intently listening audiences across the country and abroad in their respective solo careers, but an even greater sense of urgency and demand of attention is palpable now that they've come together as The Milk Carton Kids. Their songs are written together, but you won't know there is more than one author. Their history together spans only one short year, but you won't know that either. They stand close together when they play, facing each other and using microphones instead of plugging their guitars in. And if they looked more alike, they'd fool you that they were brothers.
Their songs disguise the youth of the members of the band. Befittingly, so do the old guitars they play and old clothing they wear. But to be sure, The Milk Carton Kids have something new to present: harmonies & minimalist instrumentation which are a clear reference to times passed, but with an eye intently on the future; a perspective on coming-of-age in the eye of a present-day storm; and the chronicling of an American struggle for simplicity, at least musically. To present it they use two guitars and two voices, they labor over the arrangements, they record themselves live, and they release their music on their own label, and for free.
As solo artists they have 10 releases between them. As a band their career is off to an auspicious start. Starting from a highly regarded position among their peers, they've opened for the art-piano-pop critical darling Vienna Teng, Grammy nominated friend and fan Sara Bareilles, and now will take to the entire U.S. and Canada this summer supporting one of the consummate songwriters of their generation, Joe Purdy. Despite the decision to stick to acoustic guitars in their own show, both Ryan and Pattengale are multi-instrumentalists and will also comprise Purdy's backing band, joining him on bass, pedal steel guitar, piano, and harmonies.
Their first collaborative release, RETROSPECT, is a live album due out March 15th, 2011, that represents the culmination of the past year of live performance. A collection of songs from each of their solo careers, written separately but reinterpreted and performed as the duo now called The Milk Carton Kids, RETROSPECT will be released under the name "Kenneth Pattengale & Joey Ryan".
The first official release of The Milk Carton Kids, entitled PROLOGUE, comprised of original songs written by the duo for this project. It was released in 2011 on their own Milk Carton Records.
Promised Land
The Milk Carton Kids Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm gonna make you cry
You won't remember when
I won't remember why
Every peace I find
Seems to rise to say
Live for every light
Live for every day
I raise my hand, I raise my hand
I raise my hand, I raise my hand
I raise my hand to the Promised Land
Little girl you're all we've got for now
You've gotta find a way to save us now
It's turning dark and soon the chill will come
If you find it in your heart would you find me some?
I raise my hand, I raise my hand
I raise my hand, I raise my hand
I raise my hand to the Promised Land
I'll say goodbye and say farewell, it seems
My work is done - no more chasing dreams
And if you left, leave my heart to spare
We could part but I'd still find you there
I raise my hand, I raise my hand
I raise my hand, I raise my hand
I raise my hand to the Promised Land
I raise my hand to the Promised Land
The Milk Carton Kids's song Promised Land has a very deep and emotional message. The lyrics talk about every person's journey in life, the love and pain that come with it, the uncertain future, and the hope that we all carry with us. The opening lines, "Every now and then I'm gonna make you cry, You won't remember when, I won't remember why" suggests that pain and sadness are inevitable parts of life that we will encounter. The following lines, "Every peace I find seems to rise to say, Live for every light, Live for every day" talk about finding peace and happiness amidst the pain and the importance of cherishing every moment.
The chorus, "I raise my hand to the Promised Land", signifies hope and the desire for a better future. The second verse, "Little girl you're all we've got for now, You've gotta find a way to save us now, It's turning dark and soon the chill will come, If you find it in your heart would you find me some?" is an appeal for help and guidance from a young girl who seems to hold the key to saving them. The final verse talks about saying goodbye and leaving behind a part of oneself to be cherished.
Overall, the song captures the essence and emotional depth of life, the importance of love, the inevitability of pain and the hope that we carry within us.
Line by Line Meaning
Every now and then
Occasionally, there are times when pain may occur
I'm gonna make you cry
I will be the source of the pain that causes you to cry
You won't remember when
Eventually, time will make us forget the reason for the pain
I won't remember why
I'll also forget the reason for causing the pain
Every peace I find
Every time I feel at peace
Seems to rise to say
I feel compelled to acknowledge
Live for every light
We must cherish every moment of happiness and hope we experience
Live for every day
We must cherish every day we are given
I raise my hand, I raise my hand
I'm acknowledging a higher power
I raise my hand to the Promised Land
I'm expressing my longing for a better future
Little girl you're all we've got for now
The singer feels reliant on another person, perhaps a child or the child inside themselves
You've gotta find a way to save us now
The artist is asking for assistance in achieving a better future
It's turning dark and soon the chill will come
Danger is approaching and the situation will soon become worse
If you find it in your heart would you find me some?
The singer is requesting help finding the light or hope in the situation
I'll say goodbye and say farewell, it seems
It appears that the journey has come to an end
My work is done - no more chasing dreams
The artist has reached a point of satisfaction and no longer needs to search for something better
And if you left, leave my heart to spare
Even if the other person leaves, the artist will still have some love remaining
We could part but I'd still find you there
The connection between the two people will remain even if they physically separate
I raise my hand to the Promised Land
The singer is still yearning for a better future
Contributed by Evelyn T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
You Know My Name
Every now and then
I'm gonna make you cry
You won't remember when
I won't remember why
Every peace I find
Seems to rise to say
Live for every light
Live for every day
I raise my hand, I raise my hand
I raise my hand, I raise my hand
I raise my hand to the Promised Land
Little girl you're all we've got for now
You've gotta find a way to save us now
It's turning dark and soon the chill will come
If you find it in your heart would you find me some?
I raise my hand, I raise my hand
I raise my hand, I raise my hand
I raise my hand to the Promised Land
I'll say goodbye and say farewell, it seems
My work is done - no more chasing dreams
And if you left, leave my heart to spare
We could part but I'd still find you there
I raise my hand, I raise my hand
I raise my hand, I raise my hand
I raise my hand to the Promised Land
I raise my hand to the Promised Land
derekthebeast123
I'm loving this Folk Revival the world is going through right now. Brings me back.
Virginia Eatchel
This song is so soothing
J. Dels
Just bought your album and absolutely love it! Great music, harmonies, & lyrics. Engagingly beautiful! Also subscribed to your channel.
dead cuckoo
Love this song. It makes me think of some Springsteen's quieter moments.
You Know My Name
Every now and then
I'm gonna make you cry
You won't remember when
I won't remember why
Every peace I find
Seems to rise to say
Live for every light
Live for every day
I raise my hand, I raise my hand
I raise my hand, I raise my hand
I raise my hand to the Promised Land
Little girl you're all we've got for now
You've gotta find a way to save us now
It's turning dark and soon the chill will come
If you find it in your heart would you find me some?
I raise my hand, I raise my hand
I raise my hand, I raise my hand
I raise my hand to the Promised Land
I'll say goodbye and say farewell, it seems
My work is done - no more chasing dreams
And if you left, leave my heart to spare
We could part but I'd still find you there
I raise my hand, I raise my hand
I raise my hand, I raise my hand
I raise my hand to the Promised Land
I raise my hand to the Promised Land
CLIFF, DR. DETROIT, LYNCH
i just discovered these guys, amazing.
Cécile Juilliard
Great song ! I heard that yesterday night, it's really a good song to go to bed :)
Hugo Fonseca
thank God this song exists .
branscombe
good movie. great tune :)
Angie Angie
Such peace... thanks...