On March 19, 2013, Brendan James announced a Kickstarter campaign to raise money to promote his new album. James raised $33,948, surpassing his goal, during the three week campaign. The album, titled "Simplify", was released on August 6, 2013.
Hero's Song
Brendan James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the desert again
A compass and a weapon
A lost American
I started out with a simple plan
And a locket in my hand
But the sun is so unforgiving
Fall out, fall out
With the rest of your brothers
With the rest of your sisters
Heroes on the line
Carry out what your leader says
For what his leader says
Is that his leader says
This is right for the people
No one will ever understand why
Thousands of beautiful healthy young statues must fall
Smoke and explosions surround me
A flood of hate, it drowns me
I cannot live this way
No I cannot live with
Doubt and confusion
They find me
They run up right behind me
I cannot die this way
No, I cannot die this way
In the water, in the sand
Is the blood of a culture
Is the blood of an ancient people
In whose holy war I stand
I hear the world like a cannon roar
Say I can't win this war
I promise them this
Is not what I signed up for
No one will ever understand why
Thousands of beautiful healthy young statues must fall
Smoke and explosions surround me
A flood of hate, it drowns me
I cannot live this way
No I cannot live
With doubt and confusion
They find me
They run up right behind me
I cannot die this way
No, I cannot die this way
No one will ever understand why
Thousands of beautiful healthy young soldiers must fall
Smoke and explosions surround me
A flood of hate, it drowns me
I cannot live this way
I cannot live
With your doubt and confusion
They find me
They run up right behind me
I cannot die this way
No, I will not die this way
The song "Hero's Song" by Brendan James depicts the experience of an American soldier in the middle of a war. The song refers to the soldier as a "lost American" and describes the difficulties of navigating through the harsh desert conditions. The lyrics suggest that the soldier had a simple plan, perhaps to serve his country and follow his leader's orders, but has started to question the morality of his actions because of witnessing the destruction of a culture, the bloodshed, and devastation caused by the war.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the pressure that soldiers face to conform to their leader's directives and fight alongside their brothers and sisters in war. The lyrics suggest that the soldier is struggling with doubt and confusion amidst the chaos and violence that surrounds him. He acknowledges that he cannot live and die with doubts and confusion but he also seems to acknowledge that he cannot live and die with an unquestioning acceptance of his mission. The lyrics "I cannot live this way, no I cannot live with doubt and confusion" express the soldier's desire to find answers about the reasons for this war and the morality of his actions.
Overall, "Hero's Song" a poignant reflection on war, loss, and the internal battle that soldiers may face when put in situations that challenge their beliefs and morality.
Line by Line Meaning
Here I am
Brendan James is expressing his current location and situation.
In the desert again
Brendan James is located in a desert location, which may signify difficulty or hardship.
A compass and a weapon
Brendan James has tools that may help him navigate and defend himself in his current situation.
A lost American
Brendan James is feeling misplaced and possibly disconnected from his country.
I started out with a simple plan
Brendan James originally had a straightforward goal in mind.
And a locket in my hand
Brendan James may be carrying something of value or sentimental significance with him.
But the sun is so unforgiving
The harshness of the desert environment is causing Brendan James difficulty or discomfort.
And the wind so hard to stand
The elements of the desert are causing physical strain on Brendan James.
Fall out, fall out
A military command to exit a formation or march.
With the rest of your brothers
Brendan James is speaking to fellow soldiers or members of a group he may be a part of.
With the rest of your sisters
Brendan James is also speaking to fellow soldiers or members of a group he may be a part of, regardless of gender.
Heroes on the line
Brendan James and his fellow soldiers or group members are in a dangerous or heroic position.
Carry out what your leader says
Brendan James must follow the orders given to him by his leader.
For what his leader says
The orders given to Brendan James are from his leader.
Is that his leader says
Brendan James must listen and heed the commands given to him by his leader.
This is right for the people
The orders Brendan James is given are for the betterment of the people his group is fighting for or protecting.
No one will ever understand why
The gravity of the situation and reasons for it may not be fully comprehended by outsiders.
Thousands of beautiful healthy young statues must fall
Brendan James is referencing the loss of life in the conflict and the sadness and tragedy it brings.
Smoke and explosions surround me
The conflict Brendan James is in is marked by violence and destruction.
A flood of hate, it drowns me
The vitriol and animosity Brendan James is experiencing is emotionally drowning him.
I cannot live this way
The situation Brendan James is in is untenable and unsustainable for him to continue living in.
No I cannot live with
The negative emotions and experiences Brendan James is currently enduring make living in the present moment nearly impossible.
Doubt and confusion
Brendan James is struggling with his own uncertainty and lack of clarity concerning the conflict he is in.
They find me
The doubts and confusion Brendan James is experiencing are catching up to him and causing him distress.
They run up right behind me
The doubts and confusion Brendan James is experiencing are quickly overwhelming him and affecting him in real-time.
I cannot die this way
Brendan James does not want to die in this setting or conflict he is currently in.
In the water, in the sand
Brendan James is seeking to describe the terrain and setting of the conflict he is in.
Is the blood of a culture
The conflict Brendan James is in is between different cultures, each with their own history and set of beliefs.
Is the blood of an ancient people
The conflict Brendan James is in may have consequences and implications for centuries-old cultures and ways of life.
In whose holy war I stand
The conflict Brendan James is in may be religious in nature, and the sides involved each consider their war to be just and sacred.
I hear the world like a cannon roar
Brendan James is feeling overwhelmed and bombarded by the noises and chaos of the conflict he is in.
Say I can't win this war
Brendan James is either receiving input from others, or his self-doubt and fears are causing him to question his chances of succeeding in the conflict.
I promise them this
Brendan James is seeking to reassure himself or someone else that there is hope in the conflict and that things can get better.
Is not what I signed up for
Brendan James may be regretting his involvement in the conflict or may be feeling misled or misinformed about the reasons he originally joined.
Thousands of beautiful healthy young soldiers must fall
Brendan James is referencing the tragedy and loss of life in the conflict.
I cannot live
The present situation in the conflict is intolerable for Brendan James to continue living in.
With your doubt and confusion
The doubts and confusion of others are negatively affecting Brendan James and are making it difficult for him to move forward in the conflict.
No, I will not die this way
Brendan James is standing up for himself and rejecting the possibility of dying in this conflict and setting.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Ernest john Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@juanfernandezlara2958
Here I am
In the desert again
A compass and a weapon
A lost American
I started out with a simple plan
And a locket in my hand
But the sun is so unforgiving
And the wind so hard to stand
Fall out, fall out
With the rest of your brothers
With the rest of your sisters
Heroes on the line
Carry out what your leader says
For what his leader says
Is that his leader says
This is right for the people
No one will ever understand why
Thousands of beautiful healthy young statues must fall
Smoke and explosions surround me
A flood of hate, it drowns me
I cannot live this way
No I cannot live with
Doubt and confusion
They find me
They run up right behind me
I cannot die this way
No, I cannot die this way
In the water, in the sand
Is the blood of a culture
Is the blood of an ancient people
In whose holy war I stand
I hear the world like a cannon roar
Say I can't win this war
I promise them this
Is not what I signed up for
No one will ever understand why
Thousands of beautiful healthy young statues must fall
Smoke and explosions surround me
A flood of hate, it drowns me
I cannot live this way
No I cannot live
With doubt and confusion
They find me
They run up right behind me
I cannot die this way
No, I cannot die this way
No one will ever understand why
Thousands of beautiful healthy young soldiers must fall
Smoke and explosions surround me
A flood of hate, it drowns me
I cannot live this way
I cannot live
With your doubt and confusion
They find me
They run up right behind me
I cannot die this way
No, I will not die this way
@hl2cheaterking
This is so sad...Soldiers fight for our country. This made me understand that war isn't fun it's just sadness Reminds me of vietnam war so many good people fight for the country died out there R.I.P good people.
@ebrodydpm
Thanks for a wonderful song Brendan. I have the love of my life in Afghanistan and this song seems to express what she has been going through. You have articulated very well what MY HERO has endured.
@britb85
I LOVE finding accidental songs!
@christophersboland
If you are a person of the military you will understand this song. Brendan captured this perfectly and I'm grateful and will listen to this song until the end of my days. Thank you for your service with this beautiful song...
@SkaterGirl2004
My man was assigned to this Army Unit but he is now home! Texas Air National Guard :)
@SamW1337
Rarely do I listen to a song and feel such raw emotion. I cant believe 'Brendan James' isn't a house hold name with such a pure and respectful song / songs. Good work, stunning voice.
@Thorazar
This song, makes me think... I can only wish, to sometime, be alittle enlightend of what it's like, what they go through...the feelings, the rush, the pressure, the horror... I know it's easy for me to say...that I'd like to know, even though I know that I'd rather be without it- I would probably not be able to stand, believin' to be worthy, without feeling alittle bit of despair inside, empty-ness, hatred.
@breahne
Everytime I hear this song I cry inside, Brendan. You have the voice of an angel, my friend....
@bucknelltwo
this is is truly one of the most beautiful songs Brendan has ever done ...
@jrsmith82
Amazing song... you don't realize what you actually got your self into until its to late, and you are telling your self.... "I cannot live this way!"