Heather Dale is a Canadian recording artist with Celtic roots, whose origin… Read Full Bio ↴Heather Dale is a Canadian recording artist with Celtic roots, whose original music embraces the power of myth and legend. Tapping into the continuing evolution of Celtic peoples worldwide, Heather cheerfully disregards the typical limits for both folk singer-songwriters and Celtic balladeers, and fuses the folk tradition with a healthy mix of modern blues, jazz and world music influences. Her original music “is powerful stuff... with a depth and resonance rooted in its mythic sources" (Vancouver Sun), and is reminiscent of Loreena McKennitt, Sarah McLachlan, and Steeleye Span.

"Heather Dale's songs express something that honors tradition, but in keeping with the best of traditions they break new ground." WDVR FM (USA)

Brother Stand Beside Me
Heather Dale Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Brother, stand beside me -- Brother, lend your arm
Brother, stand beside me -- Brother, lend your arm
The land below lies stricken
And this fight has nearly come
Let them sing our praises when we've gone

Brother, stand beside me -- Brother, lend your arm
Brother, stand beside me -- Brother, lend your arm

See the weakness in the world
And choose to be strong
Let them sing our praises when we've gone

Brother, stand beside me -- Brother, lend your arm
Brother, stand beside me -- Brother, lend your arm
All it takes is one to say
"We'll take back that ground"
Let them sing our praises when we've gone

Brother, stand beside me -- Brother, lend your arm
Brother, stand beside me -- Brother, lend your arm
Let a world too tired to sing
Relearn its song
Let them sing our praises when we've gone

Let them sing our praises when we've gone

Overall Meaning

The song Brother Stand Beside Me by Heather Dale carries a strong message of unity and brotherhood, urging people to stand together and fight for a common cause. The repeated phrase "Brother, stand beside me - Brother, lend your arm" emphasizes the need for mutual support and the importance of collective action. The song speaks of a world in crisis, where the land lies stricken and a battle has almost been lost. The singer urges her brother (and by extension, all those who listen) to choose to be strong in a weak world, to be the one who will say "We'll take back that ground."

The final lines of the song, "Let a world too tired to sing, Relearn its song / Let them sing our praises when we've gone" carry a powerful message. The world is tired and despondent, but the singer calls for hope and action. She believes that through unity and strength, a better world can be created. The message is one of empowerment and encouragement to fight for what is right, even when it seems impossible.

Line by Line Meaning

Brother, stand beside me -- Brother, lend your arm
It's a plea for help, asking someone for their physical support and assistance.

The land below lies stricken And this fight has nearly come Let them sing our praises when we've gone
The situation is dire, almost hopeless. They're fighting a lost cause and expecting to die, hoping that their sacrifice will be remembered and valued.

See the weakness in the world And choose to be strong Let them sing our praises when we've gone
The world is a vulnerable and fragile place, and it's up to us to take charge and be the protector. They wish to be remembered for the strength they show in fighting for this cause.

All it takes is one to say "We'll take back that ground" Let them sing our praises when we've gone
A single person with courage and conviction can turn the tide of war and get them back on track, leading to victory. They seek recognition for the bravery it takes to step forward and take action.

Let a world too tired to sing Relearn its song Let them sing our praises when we've gone
The world is in disarray, and they wish for peace and harmony to be restored. They hope their sacrifice will lead to this and that the world will learn to sing a new, more hopeful song. They seek appreciation for the difference they made, which may be overlooked while they are alive.

Let them sing our praises when we've gone
Ultimately, the message of the song is to be remembered and celebrated after death for the contribution one made to the greater good.

Contributed by Ian L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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