Entertainment for the Braindead is the solo acoustic singer-songwriter inst… Read Full Bio ↴Entertainment for the Braindead is the solo acoustic singer-songwriter instrumental work of Julia Kotowski from Cologne, Germany, now based in Berln. She has a voice and a bunch of little instruments, ranging from guitar and ukulele to paper bins and pepper mills, and currently describes herself as a "one woman lofi orchestra".

All her music released thus far has been placed under a Creative Commons license, and can be downloaded for free / pay what you want.

Hypersomnia (2007)
Hydrophobia (2008)
Seven + 1 (2009)
Raw Timber (2009)
Roadkill (2010)
Cross Mountain (2010) (Released as The Smallest Bones)
Trivialities (2010)
Berlin Kitchen Sessions (2011)
Postcard #1: Hiddensee - Songs for the Apocalypse (2012)
Postcard #2: Istanbul - Songs for the Homesick (2012)
Postcard #3: Cologne - Songs for the Breathless (2012)
Postcard #4: California - Songs for a Soft Heart (2012)
Postcard #5: Berlin - Songs for the Sleepless (2013) (and alternative Mountain Session (2013))
Postcard #6: Cologne - Deconstruction Site (2013)
Postcard #7: Slab City - Songs from the Dust (2013)

http://entertainmentforthebraindead.com/

Fences
Entertainment for the Braindead Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You always were my refuge, were my shelter,
There was always a place to lay my head
And I should've taken your hand, should've held it as we stumbled,
But I'd let it slip, I'd let it go instead.

For I cannot give you as much as I owe you,
I don't have enough love to pay my debts,
I thought I'd have a plenty, but now I see I'm pretty empty,

And the longer we linger the worse it gets.

ohhh...

So I'll plant fences 'round my dwelling like a garden,
Wrap chains around my body like a cloak.
And bite my tongue, not asking for forgiveness
For the hearts and bones and promises I broke.

And I'll bite my tongue, not asking for forgiveness
For the hearts and bones and promises I broke.

Don't you waste a tear for me,
Don't you waste your time for me,
Don't you waste yourself for me.
Don't you waste a tear for me,

Don't you waste your time with me,
Don't.

Overall Meaning

The song 'Fences' by Entertainment for the Braindead is a melancholic reflection on a relationship that could have been saved, but wasn't due to the singer's personal shortcomings. The song starts with a reminiscent tone as the singer talks about how their partner was always their refuge and shelter, but they failed to reciprocate the love and care. They regret not holding their partner's hand during the difficult times, and instead, let it slip away. The lyrics "For I cannot give you as much as I owe you, I don't have enough love to pay my debts" shows that the singer feels inadequate and unable to pay back the love they have received. As the relationship continues, it only worsens because the singer is unable to meet their partner's expectations.

The singer decides to "plant fences 'round my dwelling like a garden" and "wrap chains around my body like a cloak." These actions are symbolic of their attempt to protect themselves from hurt and pain. They don't ask for forgiveness for the broken promises and hearts as they choose to stay behind the fences. The song ends with the singer asking their partner not to waste any more tears, time or themselves for them.

The song is a beautiful reflection on how sometimes we let our insecurities and limitations get in the way of building strong relationships. It's a reminder to recognize our shortcomings and work towards improving ourselves to avoid hurting others.

Line by Line Meaning

You always were my refuge, were my shelter,
You were always there for me, providing safety and comfort.

There was always a place to lay my head
You provided a home and a sense of belonging.

And I should've taken your hand, should've held it as we stumbled,
I should have allowed you to help me when I struggled.

But I'd let it slip, I'd let it go instead.
But I foolishly refused your help and support.

For I cannot give you as much as I owe you,
I realize that I am unable to repay you for all that you have done for me.

I don't have enough love to pay my debts,
There is not enough love in me to express the appreciation and gratitude I have for you.

I thought I'd have a plenty, but now I see I'm pretty empty,
I thought I had enough to give, but now I recognize that I am lacking.

And the longer we linger the worse it gets.
The longer I stay around you, the more guilty and ashamed I feel.

So I'll plant fences 'round my dwelling like a garden,
I will build emotional barriers around myself to protect against future disappointment and pain.

Wrap chains around my body like a cloak.
I will restrain myself and keep my emotions in check.

And bite my tongue, not asking for forgiveness
I will not seek your forgiveness for my past mistakes and wrongdoings.

For the hearts and bones and promises I broke.
For the emotional damage I caused by breaking hearts, and shattering promises.

Don't you waste a tear for me,
Do not shed tears on my behalf.

Don't you waste your time for me,
Do not invest your time or energy into me.

Don't you waste yourself for me.
Do not sacrifice your own well-being for me.

Don't you waste a tear for me,
Do not shed tears on my behalf (repeated).

Don't you waste your time with me,
Do not spend your time with me.

Don.
Stop trying to fix or help me, I need to work on myself.

Contributed by Olivia M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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