Brother
Alice In Chains (SAP EP 1992) Lyrics


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Frozen in the place I hide
Not afraid to paint my sky with
Some who say I've lost my mind
Brother try and hope to find
You were always so far away
I know that pain so don't you run away
Like you used to do
Roses in a vase of white
Bloodied by the thorns beside the leaves
That fall because my hand is pulling them hard as I can
You were always so far away
I know that pain and I won't run away
Like I used to do
Pictures in a box at home
Yellowing and green with mold
So I can barely see your face
Wonder how that color taste
You were always so far away
I know the way so don't you run away




Like you used to do
Like you used to do

Overall Meaning

The song "Brother" by Alice in Chains from their SAP EP in 1992 is a poignant and introspective piece that delves into a deep sense of loneliness and grief. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who feels trapped in their own pain and isolation, seeking comfort from a brother who is far away. The reference to painting the sky with something that some say has cost the singer their mind shows that they are not afraid to express themselves, even if others may not understand. The imagery of roses in a white vase, bloodied by thorns, is a metaphor for the pain and beauty that exists in life. The hand that pulls the leaves off the roses as hard as it can represents a force that is trying to control something, but ultimately cannot. The fading memories in the pictures at home represent the past, and the sense of loss and longing that comes with it. The singer knows that pain all too well, and implores his brother not to run away from it, as he himself has done in the past.


Line by Line Meaning

Frozen in the place I hide
I feel stuck and unable to move forward with my life due to the challenges I'm facing.


Not afraid to paint my sky with
I'm willing to take risks and do things differently, even if it means going against the norm.


Some who say I've lost my mind
Others may not understand my actions and decisions, but I'm confident in my choices.


Brother try and hope to find
I hope my friend or loved one will reach out and try to understand my struggles and offer me support.


You were always so far away
I have felt disconnected and distant from this person for a long time.


I know that pain so don't you run away
I understand how it feels to be isolated and abandoned, so I urge this person not to leave me behind.


Like you used to do
I'm referencing a past experience where this person has left me feeling alone and forgotten.


Roses in a vase of white
Beauty can be found in even the darkest moments, like the roses drowning in a vase of water.


Bloodied by the thorns beside the leaves
The beauty may come with pain and sacrifice, like the thorns cutting the roses and drawing blood.


That fall because my hand is pulling them hard as I can
The beauty I'm holding on to is slipping out of my grasp, and I'm doing everything I can to hold on and keep it from falling.


Pictures in a box at home
I'm referencing a physical object in my memory that represents my connection to this person - pictures of them.


Yellowing and green with mold
The passage of time has affected the physical state of these pictures, leaving them decaying and outdated.


So I can barely see your face
The fading image of this person in the pictures is a metaphor for the distance and lack of recognition I feel from them.


Wonder how that color taste
I'm questioning what it feels like to be remembered and truly seen by this person, instead of being forgotten and left to fade away.


I know the way so don't you run away
I understand the path to healing and renewal, and I implore this person not to give up on me and leave me behind.


Like you used to do
Again, I'm referencing a past hurt where this person has left me to suffer alone.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@junfatmadi7772

Frozen in the place I hide
Not afraid to paint my sky
With some who say I've lost my mind
Brother try and hope to find
You were always so far away
I know that pain
So don't you run away like you used to do
Roses in a vase of white
Bloodied by the thorns beside the leaves
That fall because my hand is pulling them hard as I can
You were always so far away
I know that pain
And I won't run away like I used to do
Pictures in a box at home
Yellowing and green with mold
So I can barely see your face
Wonder how that color taste
You were always so far away
I know the way
So don't you run away like you used to do
Like you used to do



All comments from YouTube:

@chrisraven6803

Layne and Jerry harmonizing their best right here! Who's still listening to this in 2023? If so you have excellent taste in music

@CambriaPelletier6090

Me. I'm still listening. This song hits me like no other AIC Unplugged song. I'll wake up in the mornings & my mind immediately hears Layne & Jerry's haunting harmonization of this song, especially their humming. So, I have to get my fix & play this song over & over. I love when Jerry looks up from his guitar & over at Layne, like "Wow, we sound so good". Because they did. They certainly did. And they are sorely missed. 💔

@marieryan7973

I am my favourite Alice song

@marieryan7973

It's totally incredible and a cerebral fix

@bigkitty67

i miss layne so much bro..

@MojoRisin893

i'm 14 and i know every single song by them. don't go a day without listening to them

203 More Replies...

@wakenbake3682

Layne was 1 in a billion

@jismazingsmart5329

It is so fucking common that brilliant young musicians go the way of Layne. It it supposed to happen this way?

@chrissullivan6604

1 in 8 billion, there’s no other like him

@jorgjorg7610

@@jismazingsmart5329 take it from me... you find extreme impotence when you absorb yourself into humanity vs society. Feed my eyes... can you sow them shut? Pink Floyd will tell you, if you can listen, you're already dying.

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