Carrie Underwood - Kingdom Lyrics
Lyrics
Intro
Mmm
Verse 1
It's two kids flyin' down the hall
In the mornin' into our bedroom
It's a creaky board on the front porch
You swear you're gonna fix it soon
It's a kitchen table where we say our prayers
Give a little thanks to the man upstairs
It's the feelin' I get, baby, when I look at you
Chorus
It ain't always pretty as a picture, yeah
And it ain't a mansion on a hill
It's perfectly imperfect
It's worth more than it's worth
It's our life, it's our heart, it's our home
This is our kingdom
Verse 2
It's been late nights, a few good fights
Wouldn't sleep until we work things out
It's been long days of leanin' on faith
Even when we had our doubts
Barely gettin' by, stretched to the limits
All the hard times, no, I wouldn't trade a minute
We've come so far, it made us who we are
Right here, right now
Chorus
It ain't always pretty as a picture, yeah
And it ain't a mansion on a hill
It's perfectly imperfect
It's worth more than it's worth
It's our life, it's our heart, it's our home
And this is our kingdom
This is our, this is our kingdom
Oh, yeah
This is our kingdom
And no, it ain't always pretty as a picture, yeah
And it ain't a mansion on a hill
It's perfectly imperfect
It's worth more than it's worth
It's our life, it's our heart, it's our home
This is our kingdom, oh yeah
This is our, this is our kingdom
This is our kingdom
Bridge
It's our names carved out on that old oak tree
Pictures on the wall of you and me
It's our heart, it's our home, it's our babies faces
It's the light, it's the love livin' in this place
(This is our kingdom) It's church on Sunday, tire swings
Good and the bad times, prayin' on our knees (This is our kingdom)
Thankin' the Lord for this beautiful life
The love we have built will stand the test of time, yeah
Outro
Oh, this is our kingdom
This is our kingdom, yeah
This is our kingdom
It's pictures on the wall of you and me
Thankin' the Lord, prayin' on our knees
In our kingdom
Video
Carrie Underwood - Kingdom (Official Audio)
Meaning & Inspiration
Carrie Underwood's song "Kingdom," released on September 14, 2018, as part of her *Cry Pretty* album, offers a heartfelt portrayal of what true wealth and richness look like outside of material possessions. The track defines a "kingdom" not as a grand estate or a perfect facade, but as the life built within the walls of a loving home, filled with the everyday moments and shared experiences that constitute a family's journey. It paints vivid pictures of morning routines with children, the imperfections of a lived-in house, and the central role of faith at the kitchen table, establishing a foundation of love and gratitude.
The song contrasts conventional ideas of success and beauty with the reality of this personal "kingdom." It acknowledges that life isn't always picture-perfect or easy, highlighting "late nights," "good fights," and moments of doubt and struggle. Yet, it emphasizes the value found in working through challenges and leaning on faith, recognizing that these difficult times have shaped the individuals and strengthened the bond. This imperfect life, built together through resilience and shared history, is deemed "worth more than it's worth," a powerful statement on the incalculable value of love, family, and home.
Faith is a prominent theme woven throughout the narrative, depicted through mentions of prayer, giving thanks to "the man upstairs," attending church, and praying on knees. These elements ground the description of their life in spiritual conviction, suggesting that their "kingdom" is not only built on love and shared experience but also on a spiritual foundation. This resonates with scriptural principles found in verses like Matthew 7:24-27, which speaks of building a house on a rock foundation to withstand storms, symbolizing the strength derived from faith and living according to divine wisdom. Similarly, Proverbs 24:3-4 notes that a house is built by wisdom and understanding, and filled with treasures of knowledge, paralleling the song's idea that true richness comes from within and from the life built together. The song's message aligns with the biblical perspective in Luke 12:15, which cautions against defining life by possessions, emphasizing that a person's life does not consist in the abundance of what they own.
The bridge reinforces the personal landmarks and symbols that define this "kingdom," from carved names on a tree to family photos and the faces of their children. It reiterates that this space is filled with "light" and "love," sustained by faith ("church on Sunday," "praying on our knees") through both good and bad times. The declaration that "the love we have built will stand the test of time" provides an inspirational conclusion, affirming the enduring strength and value of this life constructed on love, family, and faith. The song ultimately serves as a celebration of the richness found in authentic, imperfect, shared life, framed by gratitude and a deep sense of belonging that transcends material wealth.