Brother Cane is an American hard rock band that released three albums in th… Read Full Bio ↴Brother Cane is an American hard rock band that released three albums in the 1990's. Brother Cane was formed in 1990 by singer/guitarist Damon Johnson and bassist Glenn Maxey. Joined by guitarist Roman Glick and drummer Scott Collier, the band released their debut album Brother Cane in 1993. After the departure of Maxey, Glick switched to bass while the band added a new guitarist David Anderson. Their sophomore album Seeds was released in 1995. The group disbanded shortly after the release of their final studio album Wishpool in 1998.

Lead singer Damon Johnson has been involved in numerous projects since the demise of Brother Cane, including Red Halo and more recently Slave to the System, a band that also features Glick as well as long-time Queensrÿche drummer Scott Rockenfield and guitarist/producer Kelly Gray who produced Brother Cane's Wishpool.

In 2005 Brother Cane reunited to perform two shows. A live DVD is also in the works.

Hung On A Rope
Brother Cane Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Tongue tied, black eyes, left for dead
Obscene, vaccine, excites the head,
Let it bite
I bit your hand and spit it all in pieces,
You're a lie
And now the truth comes out

Had to leave you all alone

Now I leave you all alone (now you are)

Hung on a rope,
Out of the way
Humg on a rope

Fenced in, slip ends, can't get it right
I greased your machine with all my might
The thought of you is getting old,
Agony, I let it go
Let it go
Out of a hole I'm diggin'
You won't break me anymore
Now you can swing so proud

chorus

I bit your hand and spit it all in pieces

you're a lie
Now you can swing so proud

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Brother Cane's song "Hung On A Rope" are expressive and intense, likely reflecting the pain and anger resulting from a relationship breakdown. The opening lines, "Tongue tied, black eyes, left for dead / Obscene, vaccine, excites the head," depict a violent and abusive relationship where the victim's speech is subdued, and they have been physically beaten. The use of the words "vaccine" and "excites the head" suggests a sense of addiction and dependence, indicating that the victim cannot leave the relationship despite the abuse. However, the next line, "Let it bite," can be interpreted as the victim turning the tables on their abuser and attacking them. "I bit your hand and spit it all in pieces" illustrates the idea of revenge, with the victim gaining power and control over their abuser.

The chorus of the song, "Hung on a rope, out of the way," adds to the sense of being trapped and powerless in the relationship. The lines "Fenced in, slip ends, can't get it right / I greased your machine with all my might" suggest the victim's efforts to fix the issues in the relationship despite being unable to do so. The chorus is repeated, emphasizing the idea of being hung on a rope, out of the way or beyond reach, as if the victim has been discarded by the abuser. The final line of the chorus, "Now you can swing so proud," suggests that the victim is no longer a burden to their abuser and can now be disposed of without consequences.

Overall, the lyrics of "Hung On A Rope" portray a sense of liberation and powerlessness, with the victim overcoming their abuser but still feeling trapped and alone.

Line by Line Meaning

Tongue tied, black eyes, left for dead
I am speechless, battered, and abandoned

Obscene, vaccine, excites the head,
Something disgusting that offers temporary relief excites my mind

Let it bite
I gave in to the temptation

I bit your hand and spit it all in pieces,
I deceived and tore apart what you gave me

You're a lie
I see through your falsehood

And now the truth comes out
The reality is unveiled

Had to leave you all alone
I had to abandon you by yourself

Now I leave you all alone (now you are)
I left you to be solitary (and you still are)

Hung on a rope,
You're in dire straits

Out of the way
I'm removing myself

Hung on a rope
You're hanging on by a thread