O Brother
Monty Lyrics


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O brother where are you? (Face forward and stop thinking.)
Do you admit regret in times of doubt? (We will think for you.)
A life of gun in hand, with a dedication to your land,
Inside out you've shown it's not what life's all about.

No, we can not believe in what you said,
When your whole life's been a sacrifice mislead (mislead.)
But we still hold the pride.
When the gun smoke clears, we'll still salute you.
When you return by the tides,
We'll be here to see your life through.

I'm confused and punctured,
My conscience is my only means of direction.
Did I sign up for suicide, of a saddened bride?
Three more years, no white picket fencing, and suffering a mental conviction.

Please, don't you think that now we will look down,
On a man who's realized what's true to him now? (to him now)

But we still hold the pride.
When the gun smoke clears, we'll still salute you.
When you return by the tides,
We'll be here to see your life through. (to see your life)

It's not giving up, it's seeing what else there's to see.
When you're soon set free, there is so much more than a camouflaged hell.
SO COCK THE GUN AND FIRE INTO THE EYES OF A GREAT DESIRE.
A fleeting destiny that is turned into what is considered to be normal.
And I'm here for you.

No, we can not believe in what you said,
When your whole life's been a sacrifice mislead (mislead.)

But we still hold the pride.
When the gun smoke clears, we'll still salute you.
When you return by the tides,
We'll be here to see your life through.

But we still hold the pride.
When the gun smoke clears, we'll still salute you.
When you return by the tides,
We'll be here to see your life through.

We still hold the pride.
When the gun smoke clears, we'll still salute you.
When you return by the tides,
We'll be here to see your life through.

We still hold the pride.
When the gun smoke clears, we'll still salute you.




When you return by the tides,
We'll be here to see your life through.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Monty Are I's “O Brother” reflect the emotional turmoil of a young soldier who has been called away to war. The opening line – “O brother, where are you?” – suggests a sense of disorientation and confusion. The song then moves on to explore themes of regret, sacrifice, and pride. The lines “do you admit regret in times of doubt?” and “we cannot believe in what you said when your whole life’s been a sacrifice mislead” suggest that the soldier is struggling with the consequences of his decision to go to war, perhaps questioning whether it was the right choice or whether he has been misled by others.


The chorus of the song expresses a deep respect for the soldier's dedication to their country, even in difficult circumstances. “When the gun smoke clears, we’ll still salute you. When you return by the tides, we’ll be here to see your life through” suggests that the people back home – possibly family members or loved ones – will continue to hold the soldier in high regard and wait for their safe return.


The closing lines of the song – “we still hold the pride” – reiterate this sentiment, suggesting that even in the midst of the soldier’s struggles, their devotion to their country is still something to be celebrated and respected.


Line by Line Meaning

O brother where are you?
Face forward and stop thinking.


Do you admit regret in times of doubt?
We will think for you.


A life of gun in hand, with a dedication to your land, Inside out you've shown it's not what life's all about.
Living a life with a gun always in your hand is not the right way to live. It is not what life is truly all about.


No, we can not believe in what you said, When your whole life's been a sacrifice mislead (mislead.)
We cannot believe in the sacrifices you've made that were based on false beliefs.


But we still hold the pride. When the gun smoke clears, we'll still salute you. When you return by the tides, We'll be here to see your life through.
Despite our disagreement, we still respect and honor you. We will be here for you, even after all you've been through.


I'm confused and punctured, My conscience is my only means of direction. Did I sign up for suicide, of a saddened bride? Three more years, no white picket fencing, and suffering a mental conviction.
I am lost and conflicted, relying only on my conscience for guidance. Did I agree to a hopeless situation, hurting myself and those I love? Three more years of pain, with no peaceful future, taking a toll on my mental health.


Please, don't you think that now we will look down, On a man who's realized what's true to him now? (to him now)
Please understand that we do not judge you for finally discovering your true values.


It's not giving up, it's seeing what else there's to see. When you're soon set free, there is so much more than a camouflaged hell.
Leaving this life behind is not quitting; it's realizing that there is more to life than this destructive cycle. There is freedom beyond this painful life.


So cock the gun and fire into the eyes of a great desire. A fleeting destiny that is turned into what is considered to be normal. And I'm here for you.
Defy the expectations placed upon you and pursue your true desires. Even though it's difficult, I am here to support you.


We still hold the pride. When the gun smoke clears, we'll still salute you. When you return by the tides, We'll be here to see your life through.
Again, we still respect and honor you, and we will continue to support you no matter what happens.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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