Brothers In Arms – English Lyrics

• By: Dire Straits
• Album: Brothers In Arms

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a linguistic journey with Dire Straits' "Brothers In Arms," a song whose profound and poignant lyrics offer a window into the English language through themes of camaraderie, conflict, and the universal human condition. Its evocative storytelling and masterful guitar work make it a deeply moving and special piece that encourages listeners to explore its rich narrative.

[English]

[♪♪♪]

♪ These mist-covered mountains ♪

♪ Are a home now for me ♪

♪ But my home is the lowlands ♪

♪ And always will be ♪

♪ Someday you'll return to ♪

♪ Your valleys and your farms ♪

♪ And you'll no longer burn to be brothers in arms ♪

[♪♪♪]

♪ Through these fields of destruction ♪

♪ Baptisms of fire ♪

♪ I've witnessed your suffering ♪

♪ As the battle raged higher ♪

♪ And though they did hurt me so bad ♪

♪ In the fear and alarm ♪

♪ You did not desert me ♪

♪ My brothers in arms ♪

[♪♪♪]

♪ There's so many different worlds ♪

♪ So many different suns ♪

♪ And we have just one world ♪

♪ But we live in different ones ♪

[♪♪♪]

♪ Now the sun's gone to hell ♪

♪ And the moon riding high ♪

♪ Let me bid you farewell ♪

♪ Every man has to die ♪

♪ But it's written in the starlight ♪

♪ And every line in your palm ♪

♪ We're fools to make war ♪

♪ On our brothers in arms ♪

[♪♪♪]

Key Grammar Structures

• These mist-covered mountains are a home now for me

  ➔ Present Simple with 'be' for current state

  ➔ The verb 'are' (from 'be') is used to describe the current state of the mountains being a home.

• Someday you'll return to your valleys and your farms

  ➔ Future with 'will' for prediction

  ➔ 'Will' is used here to predict a future action, indicating a belief that the return will happen.

• And you'll no longer burn to be brothers in arms

  ➔ Future with 'will' + negative for future change

  ➔ The combination of 'will' and 'no longer' indicates a future change in the desire to be brothers in arms.

• I've witnessed your suffering as the battle raged higher

  ➔ Present Perfect for past action with present relevance

  ➔ 'Have witnessed' is used to describe a past action (witnessing suffering) that has relevance to the present situation.

• We're fools to make war on our brothers in arms

  ➔ Present Simple with 'be' for general truth

  ➔ 'Are' (from 'be') is used here to express a general truth or opinion about making war on brothers in arms.