Neighbor
Band of Horses Lyrics
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And there showed a crack in the old oak tree
The door stood as if it was standing guard
Of the dozen chipmunks in the backyard
Every house not a home but dare do I roam
There's a light on the porch here for someone
Once upon a time in a border town
The war was over, the guns laid down
The women, the men, the children saved
Now it's hard to remember it any other way
When the law acts as though there is nothing to show
There is compassion and depth in a neighbor
Now if Bartles and James didn't need no first names
We could live by our own laws in favor
Every house not a home but dare do I roam
There's a light on the porch here for someone
Now if Bartles and James didn't need no first names
We could live by our own laws in favor
The song “Neighbor” by Band of Horses is a contemplative piece that reflects on the ideas of home, community, and contentment. The lyrics describe a scene of fallen leaves, and an old oak tree with a crack running through it. The door of the house stands guard, and the backyard is filled with chipmunks. The singer contemplates the concept of home, recognizing that not every house is a home, but there is a light on the porch here for someone. The singer seems to be searching for a sense of belonging or community, possibly feeling like an outsider but recognizing that there is hope for a sense of home or community.
The song moves on to a story of a border town where there was once war, but the people survived and lived in harmony. The implication is that, with compassion and understanding for one another, communities can persevere through difficult times. The lyrics in the song suggest that there is a hope for a better way of life, and it comes from connecting with neighbors, friends, and family.
The song concludes with a reference to Bartles and James, the popular wine cooler brand from the 1980s. If Bartles and James didn't need to use first names or titles to establish themselves, why do humans have such a need to define themselves? The singer suggests that we could live by our own laws in favor of creating a sense of home, community, and contentment.
Line by Line Meaning
The wind blew a path through the fallen leaves
The wind cleared a way through the leaves on the ground
And there showed a crack in the old oak tree
This revealed a fissure in the aged oak
The door stood as if it was standing guard
The entrance seemed to be protecting the space
Of the dozen chipmunks in the backyard
There were many tiny mammals out back
Every house not a home but dare do I roam
No dwelling feels like a place to belong, but I explore anyway
There's a light on the porch here for someone
An inviting light adorns the entryway
Once upon a time in a border town
In a place between two territories, at one time
The war was over, the guns laid down
The conflict ceased, the weapons were put away
The women, the men, the children saved
All the citizens were rescued
Now it's hard to remember it any other way
It's challenging to recollect the situation being different
When the law acts as though there is nothing to show
When rules seem to lack evidence
There is compassion and depth in a neighbor
People in the neighborhood exhibit empathy and understanding
Now if Bartles and James didn't need no first names
If two individuals required no identification
We could live by our own laws in favor
We could set and follow our own rules
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BENJAMIN BRIDWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind