Young Mvchetes - Brother Lyrics

"Blood is thicker than water, but water is easier to swallow
So remains the dilemma of a well-intentioned bravado"

He wears a "rebel flag" and tells me he is unafraid
He spouts the 'n word' and tells me he is unafraid
He packs his lip full and struts around unafraid
He is my brother, and I can't help but be afraid

And angry at what my baby brother's become
Above his big heart lies confederate stone
A monument; a testament to brainwashed kids
Bitter and resentful, mixed with bigoted myths
Yet, maybe I'm to blame for my brother's lifestyle
Always caught on myself and never coming around
To guide him and teach him the ways of respect
The privilege of complexion; the cause and effect
And if I'd played the role model, maybe things would be different
Maybe my baby brother wouldn't grow around ignorance
Yet I make an excuse for every moment I'm not
As sharp as I may seem, but trust it's just a façade
Because I know what's right - this I can't deny
Still I press him off and instead get high
All by myself in my room while he's drowning in liquor
And his cries are unheard, so his hate grows bigger
And maybe if I'd stand, things still could change
Yet still I'm silent; complacent; and self-abstained
But if I won't change, then why should he?
Because we're both at fault, contributing
To a culture of hate, who won't educate
We just judge in silence while they demonstrate
That we all have brothers who we fight or flight
While the real criminals stay deep inside

CHANGE WON'T COME IF YOU WON'T CHANGE
CHANGE CAN'T COME IF WE DON'T CHANGE
CHANGE WON'T COME IF I WON'T CHANGE
CHANGE WON'T COME IF YOU DON'T CHALLENGE
YOURSELF AND EVERYONE ELSE AROUND YOU

Dear sister
I'm somewhere lost in my own psyche
Sunken in the matter
Up to my jugular in jagged thoughts against myself
I was convinced I was a rotting corpse, not
Realizing I was needed by those who resemble me
And share my own genetic makeup
But now you old enough to wear makeup
Growing up on me
Young sprout-lings capable of all
I'm remembering the time I didn't notice you getting tall
Now, I worry when I miss you play ball, or when I miss a call
Because these times I chase after
Hoping to replace the years I was AWOL
Opening up now, who knew I was capable?
Remembrance of short glimpses of you as an infant
And sharing gifts over Christmas
Dear mama in the kitchen, making up games as we grew
Handmade funny phrases
Home remedies were the easiest when the love is evident
I promise to be all I can, whenever reality is too much to stand against
Or when you're afraid to be everything you can be
I mistake myself for being less of your brother
Just know when there's trouble, I'll stay in the head
And here's this, but I'm more than confident you'll make it
No more mistakes, our bond will provide trust
Despite where my mind was and will be, I'll always be willing
The power to be the force that surrounds us when we need it most
The foundation for our image
I'm your brother - blood pact with a blood order
And our hearts bump the same DNA - thicker than aqua
Closer than no other, I'm proud to share the same mother
But don't make the same mistakes
Keep your head on straight
How do I keep my head on straight?

CHANGE WON'T COME IF YOU WON'T CHANGE
CHANGE CAN'T COME IF WE DON'T CHANGE
CHANGE WON'T COME IF I WON'T CHANGE
CHANGE WON'T COME IF YOU DON'T CHALLENGE
YOURSELF AND EVERYONE ELSE AROUND YOU

And it's up to us