The story
They keep going with empty hands and a stubborn hope.
The fields stay dry, the well runs low, and Mama counts pennies in a coffee tin while Daddy’s prayer grows thin. Main Street turns ghostly after the mine and factory close, but the church still fills, the people still wave, and they keep driving thirty miles for the aisle, holding on until crooked roads straighten and the kingdom comes.
Lyrics
Verse 1
The fields are dry and the well ran low The church is prayin' for the rain to show We've been livin' on the promise of a better day But the better day feels miles away Mama's countin' pennies in a coffee tin Daddy's prayin' hard but the faith wears thin
Pre-Chorus
But somewhere past the thunder There's a land of milk and wonder
Chorus
When the kingdom comes, we'll rest our weary bones Lay down every burden, finally find our home The crooked roads will straighten and the lost will all be found When the kingdom comes, we'll turn this whole thing around Hold on a little longer, hold on a little more When the kingdom comes, we'll know what we were fightin' for
Verse 2
The coal mine closed, the factory too Main Street's just a ghost of what we knew But the people here still wave and smile Still drive thirty miles to walk the aisle We hold on tight to what we believe Even when the world says we're naive
Chorus
When the kingdom comes, we'll rest our weary bones Lay down every burden, finally find our home The crooked roads will straighten and the lost will all be found When the kingdom comes, we'll turn this whole thing around Hold on a little longer, hold on a little more When the kingdom comes, we'll know what we were fightin' for
Verse 3
So keep your lanterns lit against the dark Keep the fire burnin' in your heart Every generation fights its fight But the dawn always follows the night
Bridge
Oh, the kingdom's not a place on a map It's the love you give that brings it back It's the hand you hold when the world falls down The kingdom comes when we stand our ground When we stand our ground
The sound
Epic spiritual country anthem, 96 BPM, building from sparse acoustic guitar and voice to full orchestral arrangement, gospel choir harmonies, church organ, powerful drums entering in the chorus, soaring strings, banjo in the verses for roots grounding, cinematic and hopeful production, Appalachian meets arena worship