You Don't
Brandon T. Jackson Lyrics
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Can't you see the beautiful morning light?
You say you're tired and you've had enough
Well you're crying over something that you haven't got
You ain't got no reason to be crying
No matter what you've lost
No, you ain't dying
You don't know the half of what it's like
A child sleeps alone tonight
You don't know the half of what it's like
So be thankful for all that you have cause you're alright
Take another good look at yourself
Tell me are you feeling alive and well?
Do you have the right to choose
The ones you love the ones you lose?
You ain't got no reason to be crying
No matter what you've lost
No, you ain't dying
You don't know the half of what it's like
The thunder of guns, they're dropping their bombs
A child sleeps alone tonight
You don't know the half of what it's like
So be thankful for all that you have cause you're alright
The burning ash is falling down
The smoke is rising from the ground
Out steps a child alone and scared
Steps into the night with nobody there
Cries into the night as she lays sleeping
But the fire keeps on burning without reason
You don't know the half of what it's like
A mother is taken, her children are lost
A child sleeps alone tonight
You don't know the half of what it's like
So be thankful for all that you have cause you're alright
So be thankful for all that you have cause you're alright
In "You Don't," Brandon T. Jackson sings about the ungratefulness of people who complain about their problems without realizing that there are others going through much worse situations. He urges his listeners to take a moment to appreciate what they have and not to take it for granted. The song opens with a description of a beautiful evening, which contrasts with the somber reality of war, where guns thunder and children sleep alone. Through this contrast, Jackson highlights the fact that the problems people face daily pale in comparison to the profound devastation caused by war.
He then goes on to ask his listeners to take a good look at themselves and evaluate whether they are truly alive and well. The line "Do you have the right to choose the ones you love, the ones you lose?" stands out as a reminder that people cannot control everything that happens to them, but can choose to be thankful for what they have. The verse about the burning ash falling down and the smoke rising from the ground depicts a scene of destruction and tragedy, but the child who steps into the night alone and scared represents hope in the face of adversity. The chorus repeats the message that people do not know the half of what it is like to experience suffering and loss, but that they should be thankful for what they have.
Line by Line Meaning
Look around the sun's coming down tonight
Take a moment to observe the beautiful scenery as the sun sets
Can't you see the beautiful morning light?
Appreciate the beauty of the world around you
You say you're tired and you've had enough
You're feeling exhausted and overwhelmed
Well you're crying over something that you haven't got
You're upset about something that you don't have
You ain't got no reason to be crying
Your problems are not significant enough to justify your tears
No matter what you've lost
Regardless of what you've been through
No, you ain't dying
You're not in a life-threatening situation
You don't know the half of what it's like
You have no idea how bad things can really get
The thunder of guns, they're dropping their bombs
Violence and destruction are happening all around
A child sleeps alone tonight
Innocent people are suffering
So be thankful for all that you have cause you're alright
Be grateful for what you have even when times are tough
Take another good look at yourself
Reflect on your own life and actions
Tell me are you feeling alive and well?
Are you truly living to the fullest?
Do you have the right to choose
Do you have the freedom to make your own choices?
The ones you love the ones you lose?
Will you ever have to say goodbye to those you cherish?
The burning ash is falling down
There is destruction and chaos happening
The smoke is rising from the ground
There are consequences to actions
Out steps a child alone and scared
A child is traumatized and alone
Steps into the night with nobody there
They are venturing into the unknown alone
Cries into the night as she lays sleeping
The child is tormented even in their sleep
But the fire keeps on burning without reason
There is no justifiable cause for the tragedy happening
A mother is taken, her children are lost
Loved ones can be ripped away without warning
So be thankful for all that you have cause you're alright
Always be grateful for what you have and never take it for granted
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Brandon Glazer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind