Brother
Abbey Lincoln & Stan Getz Lyrics
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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
@slip9090
This whole album is stellar. Sometimes everything clicks, this is one of those times.
@bobbutta6196
fantastic singer... angelic in her approach!!... i love "Bird Alone"... im a jazz pianist... ive accomp one or two singers from balto/wash area sing this tune... they both good singers... Abbey truly owns this song!!!
@soulbrotha63
Dearest Abby, You were a mesmerizing force on stage. There was always complete silence when you sang because no one wanted to miss your soaring, inventive phrasing and silky husky voice. Bird Alone was my favorite song by you and I thank you for enriching my life with your uniqueness. R.I.P.
@joywilder9092
You've said it all right here, brotha!
@jameshill9795
I had the high honor of attending both of Abby's performances at Jazz Alley in Seattle, hearing two impassioned and stunningly emotive versions of Bird Alone. I will never forget that night. Got to have a drink with Abby and her band that night as well. We have truly lost a great, enriching soul.
@kaceyeasterwood162
❤
@billbarnesjazz
The timbre of Abbey's voice is exquisite- and a perfect pairing with Stan's dulcet, euphonious tones and phrasing.
@jameshill9795
So well said!
@jonathanbacher2298
When you tryna flex your music knowledge while being deep lmaoo
@bobblues1158
The whole package!! Everything necessary to put beauty into the listener´s
heart.