This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
[Chorus]
Are you sleeping
Brother John
If you feel like weeping
Brother John
Please won't you hear me
Brother John
Just wait and see
Brother John
Can't you see by the will of your hand
You can give it a try and just name your price
And everybody in this rock & roll band
Don't want to preach don't want to give advice
But the music's playing and all we're saying
Is come along and jam
And it's hard to be believed what can be achieved
With an outstretched hand
[Chorus]
Take a walk through the rest of your life
Until you dare to take it step by step
(Positively) till you make it yours
Now tell me what's left
Is it really you and you when you gotta know
That things can change
Just a pair of little eyes inside your head
That make you rearrange
[Chorus]
The things that hurt just won't go away
But neither will we
Doesn't really matter either way cause you're all you need
To set yourself free
It may sound hard but it's just a start
To ride that wind
And you ain't Peter Pan you're just a man
You'll get there again
[Chorus: x2]
[Repeat: x4]
Just wait and see
Are you guys ready to play follow the leader?
[Repeat: x4]
Just wait and see
Hush little baby, now don't say a word
Papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird
And if that mockingbird don't sing
Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring
And if that diamond ring don't shine
Papa's gonna buy you a bottle of wine
And when that bottle of wine gets done
Papa's gonna buy you a BB gun
Papa's gonna show you what it's all about
Or you're gonna shoot your own eye out,
Hey hey hey hey [Repeat: x4]
[Repeat: x7]
Won't you rise and shine
Won't you wait and see
Are you sleeping
Brother John
If you feel like weeping
Brother John
Please won't you hear me
Brother John
Just wait and see
Brother John
Can't you see by the will of your hand
You can give it a try and just name your price
And everybody in this rock & roll band
Don't want to preach don't want to give advice
But the music's playing and all we're saying
Is come along and jam
And it's hard to be believed what can be achieved
With an outstretched hand
[Chorus]
Take a walk through the rest of your life
Until you dare to take it step by step
(Positively) till you make it yours
Now tell me what's left
Is it really you and you when you gotta know
That things can change
Just a pair of little eyes inside your head
That make you rearrange
[Chorus]
The things that hurt just won't go away
But neither will we
Doesn't really matter either way cause you're all you need
To set yourself free
It may sound hard but it's just a start
To ride that wind
And you ain't Peter Pan you're just a man
You'll get there again
[Chorus: x2]
[Repeat: x4]
Just wait and see
Are you guys ready to play follow the leader?
[Repeat: x4]
Just wait and see
Hush little baby, now don't say a word
Papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird
And if that mockingbird don't sing
Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring
And if that diamond ring don't shine
Papa's gonna buy you a bottle of wine
And when that bottle of wine gets done
Papa's gonna buy you a BB gun
Papa's gonna show you what it's all about
Or you're gonna shoot your own eye out,
Hey hey hey hey [Repeat: x4]
[Repeat: x7]
Won't you rise and shine
Won't you wait and see
Lyrics submitted by itsmyownmind
Brother John Lyrics as written by Chan Kinchla Bobby Sheehan
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I thought it was about Bob, Chan and Brendan telling John to sing with them, or an Anglicized version of the children's song "Frere Jacques" ("Are you sleeping, Brother John?").