The group consists of Bryon McMurry (Acoustic and Electric Banjo, 6-String Banjo, Vocals), Fitz McMurry
(Drum Set, Congas and Percussion), Jay Sanders (Acoustic and Electric Bass), Steve 'Big Daddy' McMurry (Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals), and Jeremy Saunders (Saxophone).
The McMurry family comes from a small family farm in Cleveland County, North Carolina, near Shelby, North Carolina. They have been farming the same region that their ancestors settled over 200 years ago.
Acoustic Syndicate also has roots in Asheville, NC, where Jay Sanders is an active member of the local music scene.
Beside Me
Acoustic Syndicate Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It′s all we see
It's not about us anymore
It′s all about me, me, me
If there ever was a time
To come together
The time is now
Before we're lost forever
It won't be easy
So far to go, so much to learn
We′ve got to remember
That we′re all part of the same big family
Stand beside me
Stay and abide with me
Live and be happy
And until we reach the end
If you ever need a friend
I'll be standing here beside you
We take no notice
We turn our eyes away
From the harm we have done
To the human race
Maybe I see things different
Maybe I don′t understand
Maybe it's time for those doing all the talking
To listen for a change
It won′t be easy
So far to go, so much to learn
We've got to remember
That we′re all part of the same big family
Stand beside me
Stay and abide with me
Live and be happy
And until we reach the end
If you ever need a friend
I'll be standing here beside you
Beside me
Oh beside you
Oh beside me
In my time here on earth
I've seen many changes made
I know a great deal has been done
But have we done all that we could
We were all made the same
Just take a look around
To what end will it come
If we strike our brothers down
Strike not our brothers down
Strike not our brothers down
Strike not our brothers down
Strike not our brothers down
Everywhere I look
It′s the same damn thing
It′s reality TV
And lawyers getting rich on pain
We've forgotten how to care
And to talk to one another
Stop tapping on your phone and talk to me now
Before we′re lost forever
Oh it won't be easy
So far to go so much to see
We′ve got to remember
That we're all part of the same big family
Stand beside me
Stay and abide with me
Live and be happy
Oh until we reach the end
If you ever need a friend
I′ll be standing here beside you
Oh beside me, beside me
Oh beside you, beside you
Oh beside me
The lyrics of Acoustic Syndicate's song "Beside Me" convey a message of unity, reflection, and the need for human connection in a world that seems divided and disconnected. The lyrics suggest a plea for people to come together and overcome the selfishness and individualism that has taken precedence in society. The opening lines, "Any which way we look, It's all we see, It's not about us anymore, It's all about me, me, me," highlight the self-centeredness that has permeated our interactions. The song urges for a change in perspective, emphasizing the importance of collective action and empathy.
The lyrics also criticize the apathy and avoidance of responsibility towards the harm we have done to the human race. The line, "We take no notice, We turn our eyes away, From the harm we have done, To the human race," suggests a lack of awareness or acknowledgment of the consequences of our actions. The song questions the prevailing norms and behaviors that have led to a disconnect between people, as exemplified by the line, "Maybe it's time for those doing all the talking, to listen for a change."
The chorus of "Beside Me" reinforces the theme of solidarity and support. It emphasizes the need to stand beside one another, to abide and be there for each other through the challenges and uncertainties of life. The repeated lines, "Stand beside me, Stay and abide with me, Live and be happy," reflect the songwriter's desire for unity, companionship, and the importance of genuine human connections.
Line by Line Meaning
Any which way we look
No matter which direction we turn our gaze
It's all we see
What we perceive is dominated by
It's not about us anymore
We are no longer the focus
It's all about me, me, me
It is now centered around individual desires and self-interest
If there ever was a time
In case there existed a moment
To come together
To unite and join forces
The time is now
This is the present moment
Before we're lost forever
Prior to being permanently disconnected
It won't be easy
The path ahead is challenging
So far to go, so much to learn
There is a long journey ahead with ample knowledge to acquire
We've got to remember
We must not forget
That we're all part of the same big family
We belong to a collective human community
Stand beside me
Support me by my side
Stay and abide with me
Remain and dwell alongside me
Live and be happy
Exist and experience joy
And until we reach the end
Until we reach the final destination
If you ever need a friend
When you require companionship
I'll be standing here beside you
I will be present next to you
We take no notice
We disregard and pay no attention
We turn our eyes away
We avert our gazes
From the harm we have done
From the damage we have caused
To the human race
To our fellow human beings
Maybe I see things different
Perhaps my perspective differs
Maybe I don't understand
Perhaps I lack comprehension
Maybe it's time for those doing all the talking
Possibly, it is suitable for those who talk excessively
To listen for a change
To actively hear and pay attention
Everywhere I look
In all the places I observe
It's the same damn thing
It is consistently the identical undesirable situation
It's reality TV
It is television programming depicting unscripted events
And lawyers getting rich on pain
And attorneys gaining wealth from others' suffering
We've forgotten how to care
We have lost the ability to show empathy
And to talk to one another
And to engage in meaningful communication
Stop tapping on your phone and talk to me now
Cease using your phone and communicate with me directly at this moment
Oh beside me
Oh, alongside me
Oh beside you
Oh, alongside you
In my time here on earth
During my existence in this world
I've seen many changes made
I have witnessed numerous alterations implemented
I know a great deal has been done
I am aware of significant accomplishments
But have we done all that we could
However, have we exerted maximum effort
We were all made the same
We were all created with equality
Just take a look around
Merely observe your surroundings
To what end will it come
What will be the ultimate outcome
If we strike our brothers down
If we inflict harm upon our fellow human beings
Strike not our brothers down
Let us refrain from causing harm to our kin
Everywhere I look
In all the places I observe
It's the same damn thing
It is consistently the identical undesirable situation
We've forgotten how to care
We have lost the ability to show empathy
And to talk to one another
And to engage in meaningful communication
It won't be easy
The path ahead is challenging
So far to go so much to learn
There is a long journey ahead with ample knowledge to acquire
We've got to remember
We must not forget
That we're all part of the same big family
We belong to a collective human community
Stand beside me
Support me by my side
Stay and abide with me
Remain and dwell alongside me
Live and be happy
Exist and experience joy
Oh until we reach the end
Oh, until we reach the final destination
If you ever need a friend
When you require companionship
I'll be standing here beside you
I will be present next to you
Oh beside me, beside me
Oh, alongside me, alongside me
Oh beside you, beside you
Oh, alongside you, alongside you
Oh beside me
Oh, alongside me
Writer(s): Steve Mcmurry
Contributed by Skyler I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.