Brother's on the Slide
Cymande Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Brothers on the slide
Working on the wrong side
What ya gonna do
You can't win so you know you must lose
We know which way you goin'
We know which way you goin'

Brothers on the slide
What you gonna hide
Reckon your folks late
It's a shame but int no game
We know which way you goin'
We know which way you goin'

Slowly sliding
We're doing all that we can
Slowly sliding
But so is the man
Slowly sliding
Gettin closer day by day
Slowly sliding
Gonna put you away

Brothers on the slide
Soon you'll be inside
Know or not what they'll do to you
Make you pay up all you due
We know which way you goin
We know which way you goin

Slowly sliding
We doin' all that we can
Slowly sliding
But so is the man
Slowly sliding
Gettin' closer day by day
Slowly sliding
Gonna put you away

We know which way you goin
We know which way you goin
We know which way you goin
We know




We know which way you goin
We know which way you goin (fade)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Cymande's song "Brothers on the Slide" speak about a group of people who are engaging in illegal or morally questionable activities, likely in a criminal context. The use of the phrase "on the slide" suggests that they are doing so surreptitiously, attempting to avoid detection or consequences. The lyrics also suggest that these individuals are not necessarily happy with this situation and may feel trapped or unable to escape it. The line "You can't win so you know you must lose" illustrates this sense of resignation and hopelessness.


The song also speaks to the idea that these actions will not go unnoticed and that there will be consequences, both legal and personal. The line "Soon you'll be inside" suggests that the individuals in question will be incarcerated or otherwise punished, and the line "Make you pay up all you due" suggests that they may also face financial consequences. The repeated refrain of "We know which way you goin'" reinforces this idea that these actions are being watched and will not go unpunished.


Overall, "Brothers on the Slide" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of engaging in illegal or unethical behavior and the consequences that can come from it.


Line by Line Meaning

Brothers on the slide
Talking about people who are involved in dishonest or illegal activities


Working on the wrong side
Engaging in activities that are morally or legally wrong


What ya gonna do
Asking what the people involved in such activities plan to do to change course


You can't win so you know you must lose
Those engaged in such activities know that they will eventually suffer the consequences of their actions


We know which way you goin'
Those in the song are aware of the people's actions and path towards destruction


What you gonna hide
Questioning if there is more to the situation than what is visible


Reckon your folks late
Implying that the families of those involved may not know or realize the severity of their actions


It's a shame but int no game
Stating the seriousness of the situation and the negative impact it has on those involved


Slowly sliding
The process of getting deeper and deeper into trouble


We're doing all that we can
People around the situation are making efforts to intervene, although it may not be enough to stop the inevitable


But so is the man
The person involved is also making efforts to continue their wrongdoing despite the risks.


Gettin closer day by day
The situation is escalating and the consequences are coming closer


Gonna put you away
The person will be caught and punished for their actions


Soon you'll be inside
The person will be sent to prison or some form of punishment soon


Know or not what they'll do to you
Whether or not the person is aware, there will be consequences to their actions


Make you pay up all you due
The person will have to face all the consequences of their actions, including paying back anything owed


We know which way you goin'
The people around the situation are still aware of the person's actions


We know
The chorus reiterates that they are aware of the person's actions and the inevitable consequences.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, CONEXION MEDIA GROUP, INC.
Written by: BASIL SWABE, JULIAN CHAPMAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@t1201971

It's some really powerful lyrics, an older head talking to some young cat about how society is setting him up to get locked up.

Brothers on the slide
What you gonna hide
Reckon your folks late
Its a shame but ain't no game
We know which way you goin'
We know which way you goin'
Slowly sliding
We're doing all that we can
Slowly sliding
But so is the man
Slowly sliding
Gettin closer day by day
Slowly sliding
Gonna put you away, brothers on the slide, soon you'll be inside



All comments from YouTube:

@imakeWcomments

Snowfall and Top Boy brought me to this banger 🔥

@otto8049

From the depths of the 70's. Are my brothers and sisters still feeling the vibe in 2023?

@emilio337__

Sugar Ray Leonard <3

@tmikew90

Sugar ray highlights video brought me here also 🙌🏾💯

@diegogarcia1753

me tooooo

@epic8961

I thought i was the only one who came from the highlights

@marcoshenrique1163

Kkkkkkkk

@teofinolopez731

Me too from Thailand

17 More Replies...

@OfficialYoungsTeflon

Snowfall put me on to this. What a jam 😮‍💨

@helenauburn4550

Me too series 6 - episode 3!

More Comments

More Versions