'Place They Call Home' by The Castellows (feat. Flatland Cavalry) – Lyrics & Meaning

The Castellows are no strangers to the star-studded collaboration, having recently joined forces with Red Dirt sensation Wyatt Flores for the sisters' weepy 'Sober Sundays' and country folk favorite Colby Acuff on his shuddering 'How Do I Feel Alive'.

When it come to the sibling trio's most recent collab, though, their work with Texas-formed sextet Flatland Cavalry seems to be unmatched.

Their joint effort, 'Place They Call Home', is not only a stunning song, staggering in its simplicity, it is an important number, its lyrics harboring a vital message for today.

Together, The Castellows and Flatland Cavalry form an army of a nine-piece outfit, their voices and instruments all working in tandem to make music happen. While that seems like a lot – like too many cooks in the kitchen, if you will – it doesn't show on 'Place They Call Home'.

The song feels stripped back. The Castellows' Lily Balkcom and Flatland's Cleto Cordero's lead vocals are allowed to shine against the smattering of rhythm and strings, the tune's message lifted up on their bright harmonies.

"For as long as I remember, been staring at the sky
Looking to the Father, a billion twinkles in His eye
Listen to Him whisper, sweet song through the pines
Been a witness of his wonders since the dawn of time"

'Place They Call Home' is sung from the Earth's point-of-view, the planet taking the position of benevolent bystander as life has unfolded upon her throughout time.

The song opens with the Earth star-gazing, looking to the heavens and to God or some Great Maker, as she takes in all the wonders around and ponders her purpose for being.

"I was made to be walked on," she asserts in the song's graceful chorus, "but I’ll stand my ground / To wandering souls that lost their way, know you're always found / I was made to be walked on so go where you’re gonna get to / I’ll always be around / I'm here for you"

According to the song, the Earth's job is to act as a steadfast keeper of all things, a sturdy place for all to lean on and a knowing guide pointing the way forward. She proudly claims her position as Mother to God's children, "the place that they call home."

"From falling trees to colonies, your work is never done
Forged from dust and turning rust to towers in the sun
But pride and rage and battles waged on wars never won
You try to break my heart in two but I’m for everyone"

In examining her own existence, the Earth sings of the works of humankind, clearing her trees to build up civilizations and waging endless wars on her soil in the name of pride and progress.

She continues to sing of how she made to be walked on, to act as caregiver and guide to her inhabitants, but adds a very poignant caveat at the end: "I wasn’t made to be fought on if that’s what you’re gonna do / Til I’m not around / I’m here for you."

'Place They Call Home' is an endearing reminder to love our Mother Earth just as she loves us, but the song is also a call to action. If we don't, she may not be around for much longer.

"This song means so much to all of us," the two groups shared of the track on social media. "All of the writing and instrumentation was done completely by the 9 of us. When we were writing this song we asked ourselves one question; ‘What would our world say to us if it could speak?’"

For the song, they took in the world around them, taking stock of current events to make something truly meaningful. They add, "Given everything that’s happened on our planet lately we think songs like this are so important. Many thanks from Flatland and The Castellows."

For as long as I remember, been staring at the sky
Looking to the Father, a billion twinkles in His eye
Listen to Him whisper, sweet song through the pines
Been a witness of his wonders since the dawn of time

I was made to be walked on but I’ll stand my ground
To wandering souls that lost their way, know you're always found
I was made to be walked on so go where you’re gonna get to
I’ll always be around
I'm here for you

I’m rivers, rocks and mountains, got no flesh and bones
I ain't ashamed to claim the name “Footstool to His throne”
From lonesome plains to thundering rains, a peaceful spirit roams
I’m a mother to His children, the place that they call home

I was made to be walked on but I’ll stand my ground
To wandering souls that lost their way, know you're always found
I was made to be walked on so go where you’re gonna get to
I’ll always be around
I'm here for you

From falling trees to colonies, your work is never done
Forged from dust and turning rust to towers in the sun
But pride and rage and battles waged on wars never won
You try to break my heart in two but I’m for everyone

I was made to be walked on but I’ll stand my ground
To wandering souls that lost their way, know you're always found
I was made to be walked on so go where you’re gonna get to
I’ll always be around
I'm here for you

I wasn’t made to be fought on if that’s what you’re gonna do
Til I’m not around
I’m here for you

--

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