Meaning of "Mourning in America" by The Milk Carton Kids

The lyrics of "Mourning in America" delve into themes of loss, alienation, and the state of the country. The opening lines, "Fell asleep with the TV on, Finally feeling like I belong, Woke up to a funeral song," immediately set a melancholic tone. The sense of belonging briefly experienced while asleep, potentially through a fictional world portrayed on TV, shatters when the narrator wakes up to a grim reality.

The chorus, "It's raining in Ohio, The streets are slick, Shows what I know, I hear their cries through my window, They're mourning again in America," captures a sense of helplessness and sorrow. The rain in Ohio symbolizes the collective sadness and mourning that seems to persist throughout America. The reference to "what [the narrator] knows" highlights their ignorance or lack of understanding in the face of profound grief. This also emphasizes the disconnect the narrator feels, as they observe the mourning from the confines of their window.

The verses further explore the narrator's contemplative state. "Tucked my chin into my coat, Shrugged my shoulders, cleared my throat, Walked the banks of the Ohio, Felt a chill to the bone" paints an image of the narrator seeking solace along the banks of the Ohio river. The coldness they feel reflects the emotional weight they carry, perhaps mirroring the chilling state of the country. The act of clearing their throat may allude to a desire to speak up or take action, but the overwhelming grief and loss prevent them from doing so.

Overall, "Mourning in America" offers a somber reflection on the state of the country and the personal struggle to find belonging and meaning amidst loss. It captures the essence of feeling detached from society and witnessing the continuous cycle of mourning without being able to break free from it.