Breathe Deeply
York Bird Lyrics

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Girl scattered
Ripped to pieces by her brother's murder
One thought too many
One thought too much

Her gentle levy burst
Lives with her mother in a basement
With their seventeen years of blame

Can't stop the knawing

"I should have's" clawing
It is the circle of her pain
Breathe deeply you're not alone
Breathe deeply now

Breathe deeply he's safe with god
Rest your head now
She has no father, no hero husband
To help her gather her ends

So she imagines the dj loves her
Lives for the music he spins
Radio humming, two fingers drumming
Over the red scar bracelet she once made

Her mind keeps playing her brothers slaying
And she's scattering once again
Breathe deeply you're not alone
Breathe deeply now

Breathe deeply he's safe with god
Rest your head now
She says, "I dream, I dream about him
He is lost and all alone

How can I sleep until I free him"
She keeps stumbling under the weight of his ghost
Breathe deeply you're not alone
Breathe deeply now

Breathe deeply he's safe with god
Rest your head now
Breathe deeply you're not alone
Breathe deeply now

Breathe deeply he's safe with god
Rest your head now

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to York Bird's song 'Breathe Deeply' are a poignant and emotional portrayal of a girl who is struggling to cope with the aftermath of her brother's murder. The opening lines paint a picture of a girl who is shattered and broken, torn apart by the tragedy that has befallen her family. Her mind is overrun with memories, regrets, and unanswered questions, and she is unable to find solace or peace. The metaphor of her "gentle levy" bursting highlights the fragility of her emotional state and the overwhelming nature of her pain.

Despite living with her mother in a basement, her pain and anguish cannot be contained. The seventeen years of blame have taken their toll, and she is plagued by "should have's" clawing at her consciousness. Her pain is persistent, like a vicious cycle that she cannot escape - the circle of pain. However, amidst all this turmoil, she is reminded that she is not alone. The refrain "Breathe deeply you're not alone" is a message of hope and comfort, a reminder that even in the darkest of moments, there is always support and kindness to be found.

The absence of her father and hero husband only amplifies her grief, and she turns to the music of the radio and the imagined affection of the DJ to find solace. But even here, her memories come flooding back, and she is reminded of her brother's slaying, which scatters her thoughts and emotions once again. The final verse brings the song to a close, with the girl dreaming of her lost and lonely brother, her burden too much to bear. But even then, she is reminded to breathe deeply and find rest, knowing that her brother is safe with God.

Overall, 'Breathe Deeply' is a hauntingly beautiful song that captures the raw emotions of grief, loss, and hopelessness. The lyrics are an insightful interpretation of the enduring pain that many people experience and the power of human kindness and understanding to bring comfort.

Line by Line Meaning

Girl scattered
The girl is lost and directionless.

Ripped to pieces by her brother's murder
The girl's life has been shattered by the violent death of her brother.

One thought too many
The girl's mind is overwhelmed and unable to process the trauma.

One thought too much
The girl's mental anguish has become unbearable.

Her gentle levy burst
The girl's emotional defenses have crumbled.

Lives with her mother in a basement
The girl and her mother live in a difficult and oppressive environment.

With their seventeen years of blame
Both the girl and her mother feel responsible for the brother's death in some way.

Can't stop the knawing
The feeling of unease and guilt is constant and unrelenting.

"I should have's" clawing
The girl is tormented by thoughts of how she could have prevented her brother's death.

It is the circle of her pain
The girl is trapped in a cycle of grief and regret.

Breathe deeply you're not alone
The girl is being comforted and reassured that others understand her pain.

Breathe deeply now
The girl is being encouraged to find calm and center herself.

Breathe deeply he's safe with god
The girl is being reminded that her brother is in a better place.

Rest your head now
The girl is being told to relax and rest her mind.

She has no father, no hero husband
The girl lacks the support and guidance of male family members.

To help her gather her ends
The girl is struggling to put her life back together.

So she imagines the dj loves her
The girl escapes her problems by fantasizing about a romantic relationship.

Lives for the music he spins
The girl finds joy and escape in music.

Radio humming, two fingers drumming
The girl taps her fingers along to the beat of the radio.

Over the red scar bracelet she once made
The girl wears a reminder of her brother's death, perhaps a memorial bracelet or a self-harm scar.

Her mind keeps playing her brothers slaying
The girl is haunted by vivid memories of the violent event.

And she's scattering once again
The girl is losing her composure and falling apart emotionally.

She says, "I dream, I dream about him
The girl shares one of her deepest secrets and fears with someone she trusts.

He is lost and all alone
The girl worries that her brother is still suffering or in danger in the afterlife.

How can I sleep until I free him"
The girl feels responsible for her brother's wellbeing even after his death, and fears that she cannot rest until she has resolved the issue.

She keeps stumbling under the weight of his ghost
The girl is unable to move on from her brother's death and the emotional burden it represents.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

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