Brother
Fretwell Stephen Lyrics
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Brother, you and I both know, what you're doin'
Brother, I've seen you before
Brother, I'm pretty sure, I''ve seen you before cryin'
Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang
He used to put me in the
Sand, sand, sand, sand, sand
Lino table tops, cowboy teas
Always enough for you, always enough for me
I can still see him leaning over my meal
I can still see him pouring for me my tea
And keep sake once, three, four
But the girls up Swan Street must cost you more
Now you've got the money
And bang, bang, bang, bang, bang
I'll get you in the sand, sand, sand, sand, sand
And keep well, one, three, four
The chance might not come again like it did before
Ah, will it, David?
The song "Brother" by Stephen Fretwell is a hauntingly dark and enigmatic piece about the complicated relationship between two brothers. The lyrics suggest that the singer has a deep knowledge of his brother's darkest secrets and that he has witnessed him cry before. The repetition of "Brother" emphasizes the bond between the two and the importance of the relationship.
The violent imagery of the line "He used to put me in the Sand...And put a bullet in my gullet" is especially disturbing, implying that one brother has hurt or threatened the other in the past. The references to lino table tops and cowboy teas create an atmosphere of nostalgia and longing for simpler times, but the memories are overshadowed by the darkness of their relationship. The song ends with the singer threatening to get revenge, with the repetition of "bang, bang, bang" underscoring the violence that hangs over the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Brother, you and I both know
Acknowledging that I am aware of the situation as well.
Brother, you and I both know, what you're doin'
Implying that I understand what you are doing.
Brother, I've seen you before
Asserting my recognition of you as someone I have seen before.
Brother, I'm pretty sure, I've seen you before crying
Remembering a detail from when I last saw you, as you were crying.
Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang
Repeating the sound of someone shooting multiple times, maybe at me.
He used to put me in the
Recalling previous experiences where you used force to control/abuse me.
Sand, sand, sand, sand, sand
Referring to a specific location, maybe where you attacked me last time.
And put a bullet in my gullet
Remembering you using a firearm to cause me harm.
Lino table tops, cowboy teas
Describing the decor and cuisine of a particular place (a bar?) we used to frequent.
Always enough for you, always enough for me
Suggesting we have a shared history/interests, especially when it comes to the place we used to go to.
I can still see him leaning over my meal
Remembering a particular moment when you were intimidating me in a public setting.
I can still see him pouring for me my tea
Recalling a detail from the same situation where you seemed to be controlling my actions and access to resources.
And keepsake once, three, four
Referring to something valuable you once stole from me, or maybe a code only we know.
But the girls up Swan Street must cost you more
Imagining that you are now spending time and money on other women instead of me, as I refuse to interact with you anymore.
Now you've got the money
Implying you are financially successful now, while insinuating that you used to be poor/less influential.
And bang, bang, bang, bang, bang
Threatening you would try to shoot me again, just like before.
I'll get you in the sand, sand, sand, sand, sand
Promising to take revenge and make you suffer somehow, while referencing the place where you hurt me previously.
And keep well, one, three, four
Wishing myself some kind of luck, or perhaps alluding to a secret code again.
The chance might not come again like it did before
Warning you that I might not be in a vulnerable position again, and you could miss your chance at revenge/abuse.
Ah, will it, David?
Ending the song by addressing you directly, possibly questioning if you will dare to try something again.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEPHEN FRETWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind