Her first album, Abbey Lincoln's Affair, A Story of a Girl in Love was released in 1956. Also that year Lincoln starred in the film The Girl Can't Help It, for which she famously wore a dress worn by Marilyn Monroe.
Lincoln sang on the 1960s landmark jazz civil rights recording, We Insist! - Freedom Now Suite in 1960 by jazz musician and Lincolns husband from 1962-1970, Max Roach. Especially since this album, Abbey Lincoln was connected to the political fight against racism in the United States.
She co-starred with Sidney Poitier and Beau Bridges in 1968's For Love of Ivy and received a 1969 Golden Globe nomination for her appearance in the film. She also starred in the 1990 Spike Lee movie Mo' Better Blues.
In 2003, she received the National Endowment for the Arts NEA Jazz Masters Award.
Lincoln died on August 14, 2010 in Manhattan at the age of 80. Although no official cause of death was given, Lincoln had suffered deteriorating health following open heart surgery in 2007. She passed away in a Manhattan nursing home.
Brother
Abbey Lincoln Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And hope was in his eyes
As he searched the faces of the people he'd meet
For one he could recognize
Brother, where are you?
They said you came this way
Brother, where are you?
(Looking for a soul brother all around him
Looking for a soul brother all around him)
The eyes of the people who passed him by
Were cold and as hard as stone
The poor boy whimpered and began to cry
Because he was all alone
Brother, where are you?
They said you came this way, yeah
Brother, where are you?
They said you came this way
(Looking for a soul brother all around him
Looking for a soul brother all around him)
Now there are many who swear it's true
That brothers all we are
Yet it seems there are very few
Who will answer a brother's call
Brother, where are you?
They said you came this way, yeah
Brother, where are you?
They said you came this way
Now there are many who will swear it's true
That brothers all we are
Yet it seems there are so few
Who will answer a brother's call
Brother, where are you?
They said you came this way, yeah
Brother, where are you?
They told me you came this way
Looking for a soul brother all around him
(They said you came this way)
Looking for a soul brother all around him
(Said you came this way)
Looking for a soul brother all around him
(I know you came this way)
Looking for a soul brother all around him
(Oh, you came this way, I know you came this way)
Looking for a soul brother all around him
Looking for a soul brother all around him
Looking for a soul brother all around him
Looking for a soul brother all around him
Looking for a soul brother all around him
The lyrics of Abbey Lincoln's "Brother Where Are You?" tell the story of a small boy searching for someone who he can recognize as a brother. The boy walks down a city street, full of hope and anticipation, yet he is met with the cold, hard stares of people who pass him by. As he becomes overwhelmed with loneliness and begins to cry, the boy continues to call out for his brother with no success.
The song's lyrics highlight the idea that being a brother is more than just a biological connection, but rather it is a bond that should exist between all people. Despite claims that "brothers all we are," very few individuals are willing to answer the call of a true brother. By emphasizing this message, Lincoln's song becomes a warning to society at large, urging them to be more aware of the struggles of those around them and to embrace the idea of brotherhood with open arms.
Overall, "Brother Where Are You?" is a powerful call to action that reminds listeners of the importance of empathy and compassion. By challenging listeners to recognize and respond to the call of a brother, the song encourages a sense of communal responsibility and highlights the importance of uplifting one another to create a stronger, more unified society.
Line by Line Meaning
A small boy walked down a city street
A child wanders down a busy urban road
And hope was in his eyes
He was optimistic, anticipating a positive outcome
As he searched the faces of the people he'd meet
The child scans the faces of passers-by
For one he could recognize
In hopes of finding a familiar person
Brother, where are you?
Addressing a 'soul brother' in search of companionship
They said you came this way
Asking strangers if they have seen his brother
Looking for a soul brother all around him
Continuing to look for his 'soul brother'
The eyes of the people who passed him by
The child observed the expressions of the strangers he encountered
Were cold and as hard as stone
The people appeared heartless and unfeeling
The poor boy whimpered and began to cry
Feeling dejected, the child started to weep
Because he was all alone
He broke down because he had no one to turn to for comfort
Now there are many who swear it's true
Some people claim we are all siblings
That brothers all we are
They state that we are inherently and fundamentally related
Yet it seems there are very few
However, only a small number...
Who will answer a brother's call
...will actually respond when called upon by a 'brother'
Now there are many who will swear it's true
Again, some claim that we are all familial
Yet it seems there are so few
Still, hardly any of us...
Who will answer a brother's call
...bother responding to a 'brother's' plea for company
They told me you came this way
The child was informed that his 'soul brother' passed by
Looking for a soul brother all around him
Continuing the quest and scanning in every direction
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: NORMAN CURTIS, OSCAR BROWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jurisfootrag
I hear this at work all the time and was having no luck finding this version; there are soooooo many covers.... Thank you, Shazam and modern technology 😁😁
@onlyconnect6674
Her AMAZING comeback album..still one of the best..her last refrain capture the pain and anguish of the forgotten worker. So grateful to have seen her perform live.
@ronaldmartin471
It is impossible to listen to Abbey just as background music. Her lyricism and musical delivery of the words make you want to listen and dream with her!
@wfberan
Just a shattering performance by the great Ms Lincoln, the Billie Holiday of her era. Never fails to send chills up my spine.
@medialawprof
The great Abbey Lincoln and Stan Getz with superstars accompanying them. Par excellence!!
@tamarajohnson5771
Rainy evening, glass of wine and Abbey singing the background, perfect
@bruce9209
I've owned this album for 25 years or so and it's still one of my favorites. Every track is flawless. I especially love this one.
@bmrph316
Totally agree with this, have also had this forever. Don't forget Stan Getz. He does some amazing playing on this album, a great pairing.
@royalhartigan
abbey, you give us life, sounds, heart, and visions beyond, always, in spirit and music, royal
@albertbrown359
Abbey sings to me every day!