(1) Upstate is the new name… Read Full Bio ↴There are several artists named Upstate:
(1) Upstate is the new name for the folk/soul/Americana act formerly known as Upstate Rubdown. Based out of New Paltz, Ulster County, New York.
(2) Upstate is an Oklahoma, United States based indie duo.
(3) UPSTATE was an indie rock band based out of Seattle, Washington, United States active in the late 2000s. Featured members of BOAT, The Quiet Ones, and The Major Cities.
Sarah
Upstate Lyrics
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Found no work and found no bounty
Took her share to feed her kin
And kept em clear of medicine
What rotten shape they keep us in
When mama couldn't live alone
Sarah brought her family home
Four generations, two bedrooms
And not one goddamn thing to do
Can't this world get its use outta me
I'm just like a daisy underneath a canopy
With sunlight always out of reach
The years had slowed the foundry down
So Sarah tended bar in town
Was such a fight to pry the doors
Gettin' women workin' on the floors
No they don't make nothin' anymore
Can't this world get its use outta me
I'm just like a daisy underneath a canopy
With sunlight always out of reach
There's not a dream left in my head
Except to give more than I take
But these walls are painted lead
And my spirit's shakin'
Oh, shakin'
Mama passed in '93
Tommy got his GED
Emma left and married young
A man content to raise her son
But Sarah had nowhere to run
So with nothing left to make her stay
Sarah thought she'd move away
But as she combed through locks of greyin' hair
The mirror seemed to catch her stare
No there's no sense going anywhere
Can't this world get its use outta me
I'm just like a daisy underneath a canopy
With sunlight always out of reach
She wondered
Can't this world get its use outta me
I'm just a like baby left to swing under a tree
The sunlight never gets to me
The song "Sarah" by Upstate tells the story of a woman who moves to Harlan County but struggles to make a living. Sarah works hard to provide for her family but finds herself in difficult circumstances. The lyrics also depict the struggles of several generations of women in Sarah's family, who all had to live under the same roof due to a lack of resources.
The first verse of the song introduces Sarah and her situation. The line "Found no work and found no bounty" suggests that Sarah is struggling financially. She tries to take care of her family but can't provide the medication they need. The line "What rotten shape they keep us in" implies that Sarah is frustrated with the world she lives in and the conditions they face.
The second verse shows how Sarah brings her family together to live in the same house. The line "Four generations, two bedrooms" implies that they're all living in very cramped quarters. The line "And not one goddamn thing to do" shows that the family is struggling with boredom as much as anything else.
The chorus is a refrain of the line "Can't this world get its use outta me?" Sarah is questioning her value and purpose in life, feeling frustrated with her experience living in Harlan County. The line "I'm just like a daisy underneath a canopy" suggests that Sarah feels like she's not getting the attention or care she deserves, just like a flower growing in the shadow of larger plants.
The song's final verse shows Sarah contemplating leaving Harlan County altogether, but she ultimately decides against it, feeling like there's nowhere else to go. The line "The mirror seemed to catch her stare / No there's no sense going anywhere" shows that Sarah has come to accept her situation, despite her frustrations.
Line by Line Meaning
Sarah moved down to Harlan County
Sarah had to leave her original home in search of work.
Found no work and found no bounty
Sarah struggled to find work and provide for her family in Harlan County.
Took her share to feed her kin
Sarah used whatever she could to provide for her family.
And kept em clear of medicine
Despite the lack of resources, Sarah made sure her family was healthy and did not need medical attention.
What rotten shape they keep us in
Sarah realizes that the system is rigged against the poor and the underprivileged.
When mama couldn't live alone
Sarah had to take care of her aging mother.
Sarah brought her family home
Sarah's mother and other family members moved in to live with her.
With Emma's baby due in June
Sarah's niece was pregnant and due to give birth.
Four generations, two bedrooms
Sarah's household was large, with four generations living in a small space.
And not one goddamn thing to do
Despite being busy taking care of her family, Sarah felt unfulfilled and bored.
Can't this world get its use outta me
Sarah wonders why the world cannot make better use of her skills and abilities.
I'm just like a daisy underneath a canopy
Sarah feels stifled and trapped, unable to fully grow and reach her potential.
With sunlight always out of reach
Sarah cannot escape the oppressive forces that keep her down.
The years had slowed the foundry down
The factory where Sarah had worked had slowed down.
So Sarah tended bar in town
Sarah had to take up a job as a bartender to make ends meet.
Was such a fight to pry the doors
Sarah had to struggle to get women to work alongside her in the bar.
Gettin' women workin' on the floors
Sarah had to help other women find work and support themselves.
No they don't make nothin' anymore
The opportunities for work and financial stability in the town were dwindling.
There's not a dream left in my head
Sarah has lost hope in the future and the possibility of a better life.
Except to give more than I take
Sarah's only desire is to leave a positive impact on the world.
But these walls are painted lead
Sarah feels trapped and weighed down by her circumstances.
And my spirit's shakin'
Sarah's mental state is suffering.
Mama passed in '93
Sarah's mother passed away in 1993.
Tommy got his GED
Sarah's brother Tommy got his high school diploma.
Emma left and married young
Sarah's niece Emma got married at a young age.
A man content to raise her son
Emma's husband was happy to raise their child together.
But Sarah had nowhere to run
Sarah was still stuck in her hometown with no opportunities or prospects.
So with nothing left to make her stay
Sarah decided to leave town.
Sarah thought she'd move away
Sarah made the decision to start fresh somewhere else.
But as she combed through locks of greyin' hair
Sarah started to realize that she was getting older.
The mirror seemed to catch her stare
Looking in the mirror, Sarah reflected on her life and her future plans.
No there's no sense going anywhere
Sarah realizes that no matter where she goes, she cannot escape the challenges she faces.
She wondered
Sarah is questioning and reflecting on her current situation.
I'm just like a daisy underneath a canopy
Sarah feels small and insignificant compared to her surroundings.
I'm just a like baby left to swing under a tree
Sarah feels helpless and at the mercy of the world around her.
The sunlight never gets to me
Sarah feels overshadowed and unimportant, unable to reach her full potential.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Harry D’Agostino, Mary Kenney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind