The Avett Brothers – Murder in the City

"Murder in the City" as written by and Timothy Seth Avett Scott Yancey Avett....
If I get murdered in the city
Don't go revengin in my name
One person dead from such is plenty
No need to go get locked away

When I leave your arms
The things that I think of
No need to get over long
I'm comin' home

I wonder which brother is better
Which one our parents love the most
I sure did get in lots of trouble
They seem to let the other go

A tear fell from my father's eyes
I wondered what my dad would say
He said I love you and I'm proud of you both
in so many different ways

If I get murdered in the city
Go read the letter in my desk
Don't worry with all my belongings
But pay attention to the list

Make sure my sister knows I loved her
Make sure my mother knows the same
Always remember, there was nothing worth sharing
Like the love that let us share our name
Always remember, there was nothing worth sharing
Like the love that let us share our name


Lyrics submitted by Thrilliam, edited by JLTRVA

"Murder In the City" as written by Timothy Avett Scott Avett

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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Murder in the City song meanings
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19 Comments

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  • +5
    General Comment"Always remember there was nothing worth sharing
    Like the love that let us share our name"

    The first time I heard that line I fell in love with it. It's just a stunning little piece of poetry.
    hydraulic_hearton August 04, 2008   Link
    • 3 Replies
  • +3
    General CommentBeautiful song about family relationships. Although, it also came to mind when I was writing a paper about Judaism, Christianity, and Islam the other day. Apparently, Muslims refer to all three religions as "Islam," not because they want to subsume the others but because the word is literally translated as "submission"--meaning submission to God; thus, all three Abrahamic religions are united in monotheistic faith and submission to the God of Abraham.

    I doubt the Avett brothers wrote "Murder in the City" with this in mind, but the song has really interesting implications for talking about interreligious dialogue between these three faiths.

    "I wonder which brother is better/ which one our parents love the most/ I sure did get in lots of trouble/ they seemed to let the other go/ a tear fell from my father's eye/ I wondered what my dad would say/ he said I love you and I'm proud of you both in so many different ways."

    "Always remember there was nothing worth sharing like the love that let us share our name."

    What if we looked past offense at doctrine and ideologies and sought to love each other like family?
    csmith27on May 09, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General CommentIt's all about family, and the one has for one's family. Simple, and sweet. Perfect.
    dizzykon July 20, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General CommentCried when I first heard it and get teary-eyed every time after, makes me value my family so much more. Absolutely beautiful.
    aflowerformyfriendon October 01, 2010   Link
  • +1
    My Opinioni love the avett brothers, as a gay, i am fascinated with murder in the city and the actual use of the fa**ot term. love the avetts they must be phenom in person.
    TESTORXon August 31, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment"there was nothing worth sharing like the love that let us share our name..." What i love most about the Avett Bros.... is that they put into song the things we mean and want to say but just dont know how to put our thoughts into words...
    LifeisAsongon November 29, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General CommentAgreed. They make music that is so goddamn beautiful its ridiculous. The fact that The Second Gleam is maybe their best release yet makes me optimistic for the future.
    kohlmeier65on August 16, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Commentwow thats sad :'( tear tear this would make a good movie like strech it out far out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    JonasRulz77on August 16, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Commentits refereshing to hear music uncomprimised by record labels. i hope that never changes "we came to leave behind the world a better way!" - salvation song. if you see one band live, see the avett brothers!!!!
    CLARKieston September 04, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Commentbeautiful.
    bear_hug20on October 21, 2008   Link

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