The Bravest Man I Ever Knew
Ministry of Magic Lyrics


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I have given you a name
One that shows you can always change
No matter the way or mistake you've made.

And sometimes consequences define your life with hardship.
Will goodness will be the banner you raise?
Cause with his last breath, Severus said take it, take it.
Living in disguise.
A true wizard on the inside.
Not afraid of what he had to do.
He was the bravest man I ever knew.

Albus Severus,
You were known for two headmasters at Hogwarts.
One of them was a Slytherin
And he was probably the bravest man I ever knew.

A true wizard on the inside,
On the inside.
The bravest man I ever knew.
A true wizard on the inside,
On the inside.

All these things that tie us close
To what matters most
We cannot let go.

And sometimes consequences define your life with hardship.
Will goodness will be the banner you raise?
Cause with his last breath, Severus said take it, take it.

Living in disguise.
A true wizard on the inside.
Not afraid of what he had to do.
He was the bravest man I ever knew.

Long ago I had a teacher
A sallow skinned Slytherin with long black hair.
I hated him and he seemed to hate me too.
And though I branded him a coward he was, in fact,
The bravest man I ever knew.

A true wizard on the inside,
(the bravest man I ever knew) on the inside.
The bravest man I ever knew.
A true wizard on the inside,
On the inside.
The bravest man I ever knew.

Always, Always




There's so much in a word
Always, Always

Overall Meaning

The song "The Bravest Man I Ever Knew" by Ministry of Magic is a tribute to the character of Professor Severus Snape from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. The song explores the complexities of Snape's character and the impact he had on those around him, particularly his student Harry Potter. The lyrics describe how Snape was initially seen as a villain, but later revealed to be a heroic figure who sacrificed himself for the greater good. The chorus repeats the phrase "Living in disguise, a true wizard on the inside, not afraid of what he had to do, he was the bravest man I ever knew," emphasizing the idea that Snape's true heroism was hidden beneath his outward demeanor.


The bridge of the song references the character of Albus Severus, Harry Potter's son, and how Severus Snape was one of the headmasters at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry that he is named after. The lyrics ask if goodness will be the banner that Albus Severus raises, echoing Snape's final words to Harry to take his memories and understand the true nature of his sacrifice. The song ends with the word "Always" repeated several times, which is a significant phrase in the Harry Potter series as it is the word Snape uses to express his continued love for Harry's mother, despite her death.


Overall, the song is a poignant tribute to a complex and beloved character in the Harry Potter series. It acknowledges the many layers of Snape's personality and the difficult choices he made in service of a greater cause. The lyrics encourage listeners to look beyond appearances and judgments to find the true heroism in those around us.


Line by Line Meaning

I have given you a name
I have given you a name that represents your ability to change and grow, despite any mistakes you've made in the past.


No matter the way or mistake you've made.
No matter what path your life has taken or what mistakes you've made, you can always transform yourself into a better person.


And sometimes consequences define your life with hardship.
Sometimes the consequences of our actions can lead to difficult times in life.


Will goodness will be the banner you raise?
When faced with adversity, will you choose to let goodness guide your actions?


Cause with his last breath, Severus said take it, take it.
Even when faced with death, Severus Snape chose to do what was right and pass on valuable information to those who could use it.


Living in disguise.
Severus Snape spent much of his life pretending to be someone else, hiding his true identity from the world.


A true wizard on the inside.
Despite his outward appearance and reputation, Severus Snape had a deep understanding of magic and was a true wizard at heart.


Not afraid of what he had to do.
Severus Snape never shied away from doing what was necessary, even if it meant making difficult choices or taking great risks.


He was the bravest man I ever knew.
Despite his flaws and difficult past, Severus Snape was the bravest person the singer had ever known.


Albus Severus,
The singer is addressing Albus Severus Potter, son of Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley.


You were known for two headmasters at Hogwarts.
Albus Severus Potter was named after two of the most legendary headmasters of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry: Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape.


One of them was a Slytherin
Severus Snape was a former Slytherin student at Hogwarts, and went on to become one of its most respected headmasters.


And he was probably the bravest man I ever knew.
Despite his rough exterior and difficult past, Severus Snape was, in the eyes of the singer, the bravest person they had ever known.


All these things that tie us close
The important things in life that bring us together and create connections.


To what matters most
What truly matters in life, such as love, family, and making positive contributions to the world.


We cannot let go.
We must hold on tightly to the things that matter most to us, and never lose sight of their importance.


Long ago I had a teacher
The singer is referencing Severus Snape, who was once their teacher when they attended Hogwarts.


A sallow skinned Slytherin with long black hair.
Severus Snape was known for his distinct appearance, characterized by his pale skin and long, black hair.


I hated him and he seemed to hate me too.
The singer and Severus Snape did not have a positive relationship during their time together at Hogwarts.


And though I branded him a coward he was, in fact, The bravest man I ever knew.
Despite initially viewing Snape in a negative light and believing him to be a coward, the singer eventually realized that he was, in fact, the bravest person they had ever known.


Always, Always
The significance of the word 'Always' to Severus Snape, who used it as a way to express his eternal love for Lily Potter, and his unwavering commitment to protecting Harry Potter.


There's so much in a word
The impact that one small word can have on a person's life, especially in the case of 'Always' and the way it came to define Severus Snape's identity and story.




Contributed by Bailey L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@redqueenmeg

Whether or not you think Snape deserves the designation, today this song is for Alan.

@StepAheadwithErnieRivera

T_T

@harrisonlesaro4655

Snape diseves this too. he was a good man on the inside.

@markblakey3456

For Alan and Severus......

@FirstKhaoProtector

I always get teary-eyed when listening to this song. People don't realize what Snape did for everyone. A lot of people hate him for the way his character was and say he became good selfishly.
Look at his story though.. yes he becomes good and starts spying for the sake of Lily, but after she died he didn't have to stay a spy. He didn't have to protect and help Harry over and over again. These are the reasons Snape is one of my favorite characters. Because honestly he played a big part in helping take down Voldemort.

@bettyjojoeharperre-imagina7322

He also loved Harry. People don't seem to understand this part. He had a heart, obviously. He grew to loved Harry, there's no way someone with that big of a heart could have hated the person he was protecting.

@FirstKhaoProtector

Yup, I completely agree.

@bettyjojoeharperre-imagina7322

Thank god! Way to many people have this opinion that he's a foul man who doesn't deserve to be celebrated. He was a hero who lived, lied, killed, and died for a kid who despised him. He behaved like a jerk because if he hadn't, he would've blown his cover! The death eaters and Voldemort himself would've questioned his loyalty even more if he had treated them like would've wanted.

@FirstKhaoProtector

Yeah, Snape is a very misunderstood character.

@MordekaiGlint

I wonder what you have to do to become a death eater, i wonder how many people Severus have had to kill to prove that he is on Voldemorts side.

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