Brother – English Lyrics

• By: Kodaline

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into Kodaline's heartfelt anthem, "Brother," a poignant exploration of kinship and unwavering support. Through its emotive lyrics and soaring melodies, this song offers a powerful lesson in the strength of human connection. Discover how "Brother" beautifully illustrates the bonds that define us, making it a touching experience for anyone interested in understanding the language of emotions and relationships.

[English]

When we were young, we were the ones

The kings and queens, oh yeah we ruled the world

We smoked cigarettes, man no regrets

Wish I could relive every single word

We've taken different paths and traveled different roads

I know we'll always end up on the same one when we're old

And when you're in the trenches and you're under fire

I will cover you

If I was dying on my knees

You would be the one to rescue me

And if you were drowned at sea

I'd give you my lungs so you could breathe

I've got you, brother

I've got you, brother

I've got you, brother

I've got you, brother

Oh brother, we go deeper than the ink

Beneath the skin of our tattoos

No, we don't share the same blood

You're my brother and I love you, that's the truth

We're living different lives, heaven only knows

If we'll make it back with all our fingers and our toes

Five years, twenty years, come back

I'll always be the same

If I was dying on my knees

You would be the one to rescue me

And if you were drowned at sea

I'd give you my lungs so you could breathe

I've got you, brother

I've got you, brother

And if we hit on troubled water

I'll be the one to keep you warm and safe

And we'll be carrying each other

Until we say goodbye on our dying day

Because I've got you, brother

I've got you, brother

I've got you, brother

I've got you, brother

If I was dying on my knees

You would be the one to rescue me

And if you were drowned at sea

I'd give you my lungs so you could breathe

...

I've got you, brother

I've got you, brother

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
brother /ˈbrʌðər/ A1	noun - a male sibling
rescue /ˈrɛskjuː/ B1	verb - to save someone from danger or difficulty noun - the act of saving someone
drown /draʊn/ B2	verb - to die because of being submerged in water
breathe /briːð/ A2	verb - to take air into the lungs and then let it out
lungs /lʌŋz/ B1	noun - the two organs in the chest that take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide
trench /trɛntʃ/ B2	noun - a long narrow ditch used for protection in warfare
fire /faɪər/ A1	noun - the heat, light and flame produced by burning
king /kɪŋ/ A2	noun - a male monarch; the ruler of a kingdom
queen /kwiːn/ A2	noun - a female monarch; the ruler of a kingdom
world /wɜːrld/ A1	noun - the earth, together with all of its countries and peoples
tattoo /tæˈtuː/ B2	noun - a permanent design made on the skin by inserting pigment with needles
ink /ɪŋk/ A2	noun - a colored liquid used for writing or printing
blood /blʌd/ A1	noun - the red fluid that circulates in the bodies of humans and animals
love /lʌv/ A1	verb - to feel deep affection for someone noun - a strong feeling of affection
truth /truːθ/ B1	noun - the quality or state of being true; a fact
different /ˈdɪf(ə)r(ə)nt/ A2	adjective - not the same as something else
same /seɪm/ A1	adjective - identical; not different
young /jʌŋ/ A1	adjective - having lived or existed for only a short time; not old
old /oʊld/ A1	adjective - having lived for a long time; not young
heaven /ˈhɛvən/ B1	noun - the place regarded as the home of God and the angels; a state of bliss

Key Grammar Structures

• When we were young, we were the ones

  ➔ Past Simple and Past Continuous

  ➔ Uses the past simple tense ('were') to describe a completed action in the past, and sets the scene of a time in the past.

• Wish I could relive every single word

  ➔ Conditional Clause (Wish)

  ➔ Uses 'wish' + past simple ('could') to express a desire or regret about something that is not true in the present or future.

• I know we'll always end up on the same one when we're old

  ➔ Future Simple ('ll) and time clause (when)

  ➔ Uses 'will' ('ll) to express future actions. Uses the time clause with 'when' + present tense, despite referring to the future.

• If I was dying on my knees

  ➔ Second Conditional

  ➔ Uses 'if' + past simple ('was', although 'were' is grammatically more correct), to talk about unlikely or hypothetical situations.

• I'd give you my lungs so you could breathe

  ➔ Conditional sentence (Result Clause with 'would')

  ➔ Uses 'would' + base form to express the result of the second conditional. Show the willingness or a hypothetical consequence.

• No, we don't share the same blood

  ➔ Present Simple (negative)

  ➔ Uses 'don't' + base form to express a negative statement about a general truth or habitual action.

• Because I've got you, brother

  ➔ Present Perfect Simple (with emphasis on possession)

  ➔ Uses the present perfect ('I've got') to indicate a state that is currently true. In this context, 'got' emphasizes the possession or the emotional bond.

• And if we hit on troubled water

  ➔ Second Conditional and Phrasal verb (hit on)

  ➔ Uses the Second Conditional to talk about an unlikely or hypothetical situation. The phrasal verb 'hit on' here means to encounter, or experience, and the meaning of 'troubled water' is an issue.