Lay Down
O’Brother Lyrics

The first line of O'Brother's "Lay Down" - "Live, learn, and let it die" - is a reminder of the cyclical nature of life. The song's narrator is urging the listener to experience everything life has to offer, including the lows and the highs. The next line, "Skip to the end and wonder why", reveals the futility of trying to shortcut the natural progression of life.

The chorus, "I lay down", could be interpreted in two ways. On one hand, it could be a reference to death, as in the singer is willing to lay down and accept their fate. On the other hand, it could be a metaphor for humility and surrender. By laying down, the singer is letting go of their ego and allowing themselves to be subject to the will of a higher power.

The second verse continues the theme of death and rebirth, albeit through an image of a garden. The singer wonders if God is asleep as they work in the garden, tending to the soil and helping new life grow. The line "I'll lay down and begin to grow" is a beautiful metaphor for rebirth. The singer is willing to let go of their old self in order to become something new.

The final lines of the song are perhaps the most poignant: "Here, you'll find that we've all been dead men / Who've learned to speak again / And I will lay down". Once again, we see the theme of death and rebirth. The singer is acknowledging that everyone has experienced "death" in some way - be it the death of a loved one or the death of a dream. However, everyone has the opportunity to learn from these experiences and "speak again". Finally, the singer submits themselves to the cycle of life and death by saying "And I will lay down".