Unknown
Key Blacks Lyrics
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And we spoke not a word
I'll never forget you through the stories that I've heard
For you, unknown brother, my baby's mother's pain
'Cause your soul is in heaven but your memory remains
Unknown, unknown brother
I'll meet you someday
We'll walk through fields where children play
Your eyes shined bright when you were a kid
Your sisters loved you and all that you did
Big brother, big brother, don't worry a bit
Your flame has not faded since the day it was lit
Your life was joy
You're mama's only boy
And when the skies are blue
Big brother, they're blue for you
We'll smile like pictures of you as a boy
Before you retired to heavenly joy
Unknown, unknown brother
I'll meet you someday
Unknown, unknown brother
We'll walk through fields where children play
In Key Blacks’s song Unknown, the singer speaks to a man he has never met or spoken a word to, but who he has heard stories about. Addressing him as “unknown brother”, he acknowledges the pain that the man’s death, and subsequent absence, has caused for his baby’s mother. He notes that although the man’s soul may be in heaven, his memory remains. The chorus repeats, with the singer seeming to hold out hope for a future meeting with this unknown brother, where they might walk together through fields where children play. The song seems to be a tribute to a life that was cut short, but still holds influence and importance in the lives of those who knew and loved this man.
The verses of the song offer more specific details about this “unknown brother”, who is described as having shone bright as a child, loved by his sisters, and his life described as one of joy. The singer speaks to him directly, acknowledging that although he did not know him, he recognizes that the man’s light continues to shine even after his death. The chorus shifts in this second verse to a present moment, where the singer, inspired by memories of the man’s childhood, imagines the two of them walking through fields together. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the singer and his unknown brother reunited in some future moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Though I never met you
Although we have not had the chance to meet each other
And we spoke not a word
We never had a conversation
I'll never forget you through the stories that I've heard
Your memory lives on through the stories I have been told about you
For you, unknown brother, my baby's mother's pain
Your passing has caused pain to my loved one, my baby's mother
'Cause your soul is in heaven but your memory remains
You may no longer be with us, but your memories continue to live on
Unknown, unknown brother
The person being spoken about is unknown or unfamiliar
I'll meet you someday
Someday, we will have the opportunity to meet
We'll walk through fields where children play
When we meet, we will walk through fields where children are playing
Your eyes shined bright when you were a kid
As a child, you had bright and lively eyes
Your sisters loved you and all that you did
Your sisters had a deep affection for you and appreciated all that you did
Big brother, big brother, don't worry a bit
There is no need to worry, big brother
Your flame has not faded since the day it was lit
Your memory and impact have not faded with time
Your life was joy
Your life was filled with joy
You're mama's only boy
You were your mother's only son
And when the skies are blue
In pleasant weather conditions
Big brother, they're blue for you
Those blue skies remind me of you, big brother
We'll smile like pictures of you as a boy
We will find joy in remembering our memories of you as a child
Before you retired to heavenly joy
Before you passed on and found happiness in heaven
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jesus
𝕝𝕪𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕤:
Though I never met you
And we spoke not a word
I'll never forget you through the stories that I've heard
For you, unknown brother, my baby's mother's pain
'Cause your soul is in heaven but your memory remains
Unknown, unknown brother
I'll meet you someday
Unknown, unknown brother
We'll walk through fields where children play
Your eyes shined bright when you were a kid
Your sisters loved you and all that you did
Big brother, big brother, don't worry a bit
Your flame has not faded since the day it was lit
Your life was joy
You're mama's only boy
And when the skies are blue
Big brother, they're blue for you
We'll smile like pictures of you as a boy
Before you retired to heavenly joy
Unknown, unknown brother
I'll meet you someday
Unknown, unknown brother
We'll walk through fields where children play
krimb1969
Probably the best thing that happened to rock music since 30 years, that album.
Tru S Armor
this album is stupid good and maddingly underrated
Ilaria Montebianco
I was thinking tha same.
Bokmoh
This album was not underrated when it came out. People simply done changed.
T B
Fantastic...just about every song.
T B
The uneducated at appreciation. Cmon. This dont work ? Educate, even Akron. Pass it on. I blast it all. Love it all.
PVT Joker
Every song on this album is perfect
Malspher
My mom had a child when I was 6 years old, it was a boy, due to the financial struggle at the moment she had to give him away for adoption, although I was very young I loved that kid very much and since the day he left I always knew that some day I would find my brother no matter how long it would take. tree months ago I met my little brother after 18 years since that day. I must have listened to this song 500+ times and will continue to do so as it represents history for me and life long experience.
AlannaPenner
I have an unknown sister, this song makes me feel less alone. Thank you Black Keys.
Bornean Dayak
Same here. I also have unknown brother