I Never Learnt to Share
James Blake Lyrics


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My brother and my sister don't speak to me
But I don't blame them, but I don't blame them

My brother and my sister don't speak to me
But I don't blame them, but I don't blame them

My brother and my sister don't speak to me
But I don't blame them, but I don't blame them

My brother and my sister don't speak to me
But I don't blame them, but I don't blame them

My brother and my sister don't speak to me
But I don't blame them, but I don't blame them

My brother and my sister don't speak to me
But I don't blame them, but I don't blame them, but I don't blame them
But I don't blame them, but I don't blame them

My brother and my sister don't speak to me
But I don't blame them, but I don't blame them
But I don't blame them

My brother and my sister don't speak to me
But I don't blame them, but I don't blame them

My brother and my sister don't speak to me
But I don't blame them, but I don't blame them, but I don't blame them
But I don't blame them (but I don't blame them)
But I don't blame them (but I don't blame them)
But I don't blame them (but I don't blame them)
But I don't blame them (but I don't blame them)
But I don't blame them (but I don't blame them)
But I don't blame them (but I don't blame them)





But I don't blame them (but I don't blame them)
But I don't blame them (but I don't blame them)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to James Blake's song "I Never Learnt to Share" revolve around a central theme of emotional disconnection and isolation. In this repetition of short phrases, he admits that his brother and sister no longer communicate with him, yet he refuses to assign blame to either party. Instead, Blake seemingly accepts responsibility for his situation, recognizing it as a natural outcome of his inability to open up and connect with those around him.


Blake's evocative use of repetition in the song's lyrics serves to reinforce this sense of emotional detachment and numbing. The repeated phrase, "But I don't blame them," creates a sense of distance between the singer and the incommunicative siblings, yet also underscores how the singer's own passivity has contributed to this situation. By rejecting anger, but failing to actively seek a resolution, the singer appears trapped in a cycle of loneliness.


Ultimately, "I Never Learnt to Share" serves as a poignant reflection on the challenges of communication and vulnerability in human relationships. Blake's refusal to assign blame or engage in active confrontation might be perceived as tragic, but it is also a valuable reminder of the ways in which silence and introspection can become self-reinforcing.



Line by Line Meaning

My brother and my sister don't speak to me
I have lost touch with my siblings and they have stopped talking to me


But I don't blame them, but I don't blame them
I understand their decision and I don't hold it against them


But I don't blame them
I have accepted the reality of the situation and won't assign blame to them


But I don't blame them (but I don't blame them)
I don't blame my siblings for not speaking to me, and I don't blame myself either


But I don't blame them (but I don't blame them)
There's no point in blaming anyone for the lack of communication between us




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: James Blake Litherland

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@avril14thlove

My all-time favorite JB song. Criminally underrated.

@HodYouHue

avril14thlove true

@andrius_siurys

me too

@cykablyat3394

This album is hos best imo.

@surroundgatari

My God, this was his peak. What an astonishing song, completely grabs me for all five minutes every time I hear it!

@arrestedeffort

5 years after first hearing this, I still return to this song once in a while. It's hauntingly beautiful.

@shelavery7833

I know the song is a joke, since he has no siblings, but god it hits home for me so hard... My brother and sister and I, after we all escaped from an abusive household, were separated into different families (three different dads and stuff) and now we aren't in contact. I just hope they've overcome the trauma of our childhood. I know reaching out to me would only bring up old pains.

@ThePaoOfTooh

he is a masonic maestro. credit where credit is due. this coming from an only child.

@middleton4732

I feel you man, stay strong. It’s hard for me but we have to stay strong

@tomasborralho

thats why they don't speak to him, and he doesnt blame them.

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