Brother
E-Sens Lyrics

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This mellow, sweet, short-haired boy, woman offers pull up a seat
Take in one symphony now, we've just begun to battle
Wrap your heel in bones of steel, turn the leg, a twist of color
Autumn waded seven seas swimming colored come another

Seven chinese brothers swallowing the ocean
Seven thousand years to sleep away the pain
She will return, she will return

This mellow, sweet, short-haired boy, woman offers pull up a chair
Take in one symphony now, I guess we lost that battle
Wrap your heel in bones of steel, turn the leg, a twist of color
Autumn waded seven seas swimming colored come another

Seven chinese brothers swallowing the ocean

Seven thousand years the Communi did reign
She will return, she will return

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to E-Sens's song, Brother, have a dream-like quality to them, with vivid and surreal imagery that seems to evolve and shift throughout the song. The first verse seems to be addressed to a woman who is inviting a "mellow, sweet, short-haired boy" to sit down with her and "take in one symphony." This symphony, however, is no ordinary musical composition; the two of them are supposedly just beginning to "battle," suggesting that there is some kind of struggle or conflict underway.

The second verse continues with the theme of struggle, as the woman encourages the boy to "wrap your heel in bones of steel" and perform some kind of physical maneuver involving a "twist of color." The line "Autumn waited hold it to you in the colored come another" is cryptic, but it may suggest that the boy is being handed a weapon (perhaps a stick or a staff) that has been decorated with autumn leaves or other colorful adornments.

The refrain of the song repeatedly refers to "seven Chinese brothers swallowing the ocean," which is a reference to a famous Chinese folktale. In the story, seven brothers with extraordinary abilities work together to try and fight back against the ocean, which threatens to flood their village. While they ultimately fail in their efforts, they are memorialized for their bravery and steadfastness. The lyrics also refer to "seven thousand years to sleep away the pain," which could suggest a kind of historical or mythological time frame in which these events are taking place. Finally, the song seems to end on an ambiguous note, with the woman suggesting that "we lost that battle," but also asserting that "She will return."

Line by Line Meaning

This mellow, sweet, short-haired boy, woman offers pull up a seat
The singer describes a scene where a woman invites a young man with short hair to sit and listen to something.

Take in one symphony now, we've just begun to battle
The woman invites the young man to listen to something, and suggests that the real struggle is just starting.

Wrap your heel in bones of steel, turn the leg, a twist of color
The singer encourages the listener to be strong and flexible in their actions.

Autumn waited hold it to you in the colored come another
It's not clear what this line means, as it seems to be somewhat nonsensical.

Seven chinese brothers swallowing the ocean
The artist references a Chinese myth about brothers who were able to drink the entire ocean.

Seven thousand years to sleep away the pain
Another reference to the Chinese myth, suggesting that the brothers were able to sleep for thousands of years after their feat.

She will return, she will return
Repeatedly bringing up the idea of someone returning, which may suggest hope or anticipation of something good happening.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Michael Mills, Michael Stipe

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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