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Unknown Brother Lyrics

Though I've never met you and we've spoke not a word
I'll never forget you through the stories that I've heard
For you, unknown brother, my baby's mother's in pain
'Cause your soul is in heaven but your memory remains

Unknown, unknown brother
I'll meet you someday
Unknown, unknown brother
We'll walk through fields where children play

Your eyes shined bright when you were a kid
Your sisters loved you and all that you did
Big brother, big brother, don't worry a bit
Your flame has not faded since the day it was lit

Your life was joy, your mama's only boy
And when the skies are blue, big brother, they're blue for you

We'll smile like pictures of you as a boy
Before you retired to heavenly joy

Unknown, unknown brother
I'll meet you someday
Unknown, unknown brother
We'll walk through fields where children play
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Cover art for Unknown Brother lyrics by Black Keys, The

Vocalist/guitarist Dan Auerbach explained this song to The Sun May 14, 2010: "It's about my brother-in-law who died of cancer when he was in high school. I'm not sure there could be another tone when making a song about mourning a young life being taken so soon."

Cover art for Unknown Brother lyrics by Black Keys, The

Even though the lyric's meaning has been uncovered, I always like to think that it's not about his brother-in-law's death. I'd rather think that it's about an iconic figure; someone who represented something grand in another era. Someone who made his mark into this world. Someone whose work continues to evoke greatness. Someone whose work continues to speak through time.

But that's just me.

My Interpretation

@brunosartori same feeling about this song

Cover art for Unknown Brother lyrics by Black Keys, The

Great song! Sounds like its about the singer's baby's mamas brother who he never met and is now dead. It seems that he was greatly loved by his family. Hes basically just saying I'll get to meet you one day in a better place ... heaven. Pretty simple song. I love the guitar in it.

Cover art for Unknown Brother lyrics by Black Keys, The

I kind of want to know how his baby-brother-in-law died (nevermind "in-law" if they're not married). He died as a young kid apparently, since they "smile like pictures of [him] as a boy." I kind of figure it was an accidental death, since leukemia or any other long-term disease would leave its mark with the suffering---suffering deserves mention in a song as sad as this. But I guess the point of the song is the author's empathy for his brother-in-law's short-lived life. I'm just pandering for the drama.

hey mellow according to the guy who wrote the song he says it's about his brother in law who died of cancer while in his high school years.

Cover art for Unknown Brother lyrics by Black Keys, The

idk who this song is about specifically, but all i can say is, tbk got soul!!!

Cover art for Unknown Brother lyrics by Black Keys, The

This song reminds me of my older brother who past away a few hours after he was born because of heart failure. Now whenever I hear this song I tear up. But I am still over joyed they wrote a song like this, and its actually quite comforting. I <3(LOVE)the black keys.

Cover art for Unknown Brother lyrics by Black Keys, The

touching song

 
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