Bartender
Dave Matthews Band Lyrics


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If I go
Before I'm old
Oh, brother of mine
Please don't forget me if I go

Bartender, please
Fill my glass for me
With the wine you gave Jesus that set him free
After three days in the ground

Oh, and if I die
Before my time
Oh, sweet sister of mine
Please don't regret me if I die

Bartender, please
Fill my glass for me
With the wine you gave Jesus that set him free
After three days in the ground

Bartender, please
Fill my glass for me
With the wine you gave Jesus that set him free
After three days in the ground

I'm on bended knees, I pray
Bartender, please

When I was young, I didn't think about it
Now I can't get it out of my mind

I'm on bended knees
Father, please

Oh, and if all this gold
Should steal my soul away
Oh, dear mother of mine
Please redirect me if this gold

Bartender, you see
The wine that's drinking me
Came from the vine that strung Judas from the Devil's tree
His roots deep, deep in the ground

Bartender, you see
The wine that's drinking me
Came from the vine that strung Judas from the Devil's tree
Its roots deep, deep in the ground
Ground

I'm on bended knees
Oh, Bartender, please

I'm on bended knees
Father, please

When I was young, I didn't think about it
Now I just want to run and hide

I'm on bended knees




Oh, Bartender, please
Bartender, please

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Dave Matthews Band's song "Bartender" contain a deep sense of introspection and contemplation about mortality, spirituality, and the value of life. The opening lines, "If I go before I'm old, oh brother of mine, please don't forget me if I go," reflect the fear of dying too soon and leaving loved ones behind. The repeated call to the bartender to "fill my glass for me with the wine you gave Jesus that set him free after three days in the ground" highlights the spiritual undertones of the song, as the singer seeks comfort in the notion of resurrection and redemption.


The song's repeated references to being on "bended knees" and asking for the bartender and the father's intervention reveal the vulnerability and desperation that often accompany the fear of the unknown. The lines "When I was young, I didn't think about it, now I can't get it out of my mind" convey the realization that life is precious and fleeting, and that one's mortality is a reality that cannot be ignored forever.


Overall, "Bartender" is a poignant expression of the human struggle to find meaning and purpose, and to come to terms with the inevitability of death. The song's haunting melody and powerful lyrics have resonated with many listeners, and continue to be a favorite among Dave Matthews Band's fans.


Line by Line Meaning

If I go
In case I die


Before I'm old
Before I reach an old age


Oh, brother of mine
Addressing a male sibling


Please don't forget me if I go
Asking to be remembered after death


Bartender, please
Requesting the bartender's attention


Fill my glass for me
Pour me a drink


With the wine you gave Jesus that set him free
Asking for wine with religious significance


After three days in the ground
Referring to the resurrection of Jesus after his crucifixion


Oh, and if I die
If I pass away


Before my time
Before I reach a designated age


Oh, sweet sister of mine
Addressing a female sibling


Please don't regret me if I die
Asking not to be mourned after death


I'm on bended knees, I pray
Expressing humility


Bartender, please
Requesting the bartender's attention


When I was young, I didn't think about it
Reflecting on youth and naivete


Now I can't get it out of my mind
The topic has become a preoccupation


Father, please
Invoking God through the concept of paternal guidance


Oh, and if all this gold
Addressing the negative influence of wealth


Should steal my soul away
Hypothetical loss of character due to financial gain


Oh, dear mother of mine
Addressing a female parent


Please redirect me if this gold
Asking for guidance in resisting monetary temptation


Bartender, you see
Returning to the original request for attention


The wine that's drinking me
Alluding to being consumed by the effects of alcohol


Came from the vine that strung Judas from the Devil's tree
Religious allusion to the betrayal of Jesus by Judas


His roots deep, deep in the ground
Imagery of a deeply rooted issue


Ground
Repeating the previous line for emphasis


I just want to run and hide
Expressing a desire to escape


Bartender, please
Requesting the bartender's attention




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID JOHN MATTHEWS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@vinaskth

If I go before I'm old
Oh, brother of mine please don't forget me
If I go

Bartender, please
Fill my glass for me
With the wine you gave Jesus
That set him free
After three days in the ground

Oh and if I die
Before my time
Oh sweet sister of mine
Please don't regret me
If I die

Bartender, please
Fill my glass for me
With the wine you gave Jesus that set him free
After three days in the ground

I'm on bended knees, I pray
Bartender, please
When I was young I didn't think about it, now I can't get it outof my mind
I'm on bended knees, father please

Oh if all this gold
Should steal my soul away
Oh, dear mother of mine please redirect me
If this gold

Bartender, you see
The wine that's drinking me
Came from the vine that stung Judas
From the devil's tree
It's roots deep, deep in the ground

I'm on bended knees, oh bartender please
I'm on bended knees, father please
When I was young I didn't think about it now I just wanna run andhide
I'm on bended knees, oh bartender please
Bartender, please



All comments from YouTube:

@vinaskth

If I go before I'm old
Oh, brother of mine please don't forget me
If I go

Bartender, please
Fill my glass for me
With the wine you gave Jesus
That set him free
After three days in the ground

Oh and if I die
Before my time
Oh sweet sister of mine
Please don't regret me
If I die

Bartender, please
Fill my glass for me
With the wine you gave Jesus that set him free
After three days in the ground

I'm on bended knees, I pray
Bartender, please
When I was young I didn't think about it, now I can't get it outof my mind
I'm on bended knees, father please

Oh if all this gold
Should steal my soul away
Oh, dear mother of mine please redirect me
If this gold

Bartender, you see
The wine that's drinking me
Came from the vine that stung Judas
From the devil's tree
It's roots deep, deep in the ground

I'm on bended knees, oh bartender please
I'm on bended knees, father please
When I was young I didn't think about it now I just wanna run andhide
I'm on bended knees, oh bartender please
Bartender, please

@delesdog

Are you dead?? Jus checking

@vinaskth

@@delesdog 👻

@justinbam-ih9xz

Great

@victoriagirard6877

@@justinbam-ih9xz m9

@teleuser

Strung Judas not stung.

@bradyspringfield6237

I’m only 14 and I love this song and love the band. Im so glad my dad has good taste in music to show me good songs like this

@203Rez

Good stuff man! Your dad started you off good. incredible era of music

@iainhorne2509

Soooo banging when I read your message,my son's 15,just thought it was banging.....

@troywitkowski3732

Call me when you turn 32

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