David Bowie

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
And so the story goes, they wore the clothes
They said the things to make it seem improbable
The whale of a lie like the hope it was
And the goodmen tomorrow
Had their feet in the wallow
And their heads of brawn were nicely shorn
And how they bought their positions with saccharin and trust
And the world was asleep to our latent fuss

[Chorus 1]
Sighing, they swirl through the streets like the crust of the sun
The Bewlay Brothers
In our wings that bark
Flashing teeth of brass
Standing tall in the dark
Oh, and we were gone
Hanging out with your dwarf men
We were so turned on
By your lack of conclusions

[Verse 2]
I was stone and he was wax
So he could scream and still relax, unbelievable
And we frightened the small children away
And our talk was old and dust would flow
Through our veins and lo! It was midnight back at the kitchen door
Like the grim face on the cathedral floor
And the solid book we wrote
Cannot be found today
[Chorus 2]
And it was stalking time for the moonboys
The Bewlay Brothers
With our backs on the arch
And the Devil may be here
But he can't sing about that
Oh, and we were gone
Real cool traders
We were so turned on
You thought we were fakers

[Verse 3]
Now the dress is hung, the ticket pawned
The factor max that proved the fact is melted down
And woven on the edging of my pillow
And my brother lays upon the rocks
He could be dead, he could be not, he could be you
He's chameleon, comedian, Corinthian and caricature

[Chorus 3]
Shooting up pie-in-the-sky
The Bewlay Brothers
In the feeble and the bad
The Bewlay Brothers
In the blessed and cold
In the crutch-hungry dark
Was where we flayed our mark
Oh, and we were gone
Kings of oblivion
We were so turned on
In the mind-warp pavilion
[Outro]
Lay me place and bake me pie
I'm starving for me gravy
Leave my shoes, and door unlocked
I might just slip away, hey
Just for the day, (hey) hey
Please come away, hey
Just for the day, hey
Please come away, hey
Please come away
Just for the day
Please come away
Please come away
Please come away
Please come away
Away
Away

David Bowie was an iconic figure in the world of music and continues to inspire generations of young musicians. The Bewlay Brothers is one of his landmark songs, known for its eerie and haunting melody and lyrics. The song serves as a fitting finale to Bowie’s hit album, and the abstract lyrics offer a glimpse into the complexities of mental illness and substance abuse. The song's meaning is an abstract representation of the shadow twin archetype, and it is a haunting and unsettling representation of the mind's darker side. In this article, we will delve deeper into the song and examine its meaning, background, and relevance to Bowie's life and career.

About The Bewlay Brothers

The Bewlay Brothers is a song by David Bowie from his 1971 album Hunky Dory. The song was written by Bowie and is known for its dreamlike, abstract lyrics that offer glimpses into themes like mental illness, substance abuse, Doppelgängers, and mutilation. The song tells the story of Terry Burns, Bowie's older half-brother, who suffered from schizophrenia and committed suicide in 1985.

Bowie uses the song's lyrics to talk about his complex feelings and relationship with his brother, and the song is a testament to the impact mental illness can have on people's lives. The song served as a cathartic outlet for Bowie to express his emotions towards his brother's illness, whom he was not close to in his adult life.

The song's title 'The Bewlay Brothers' has been reported to refer to a tobacconist shop in Brixton with a similar name. However, Bowie's childhood experiences reveal more, as he attended a short holiday at an activity center near Beaulieu called ‘Bewlee.’ The name, as pronounced by the locals, could have served as inspiration for the song's title and reference to childhood adventures with his brother.

The Lyrics and Meaning

The Bewlay Brothers lyrics are an abstract representation of the shadow archetype, a cultural archetype of the "shadow twin". Bowie uses a mix of literal and abstract imagery to describe the complexities of mental illness and substance abuse.

One of the recurring themes in the song is the perception of time, as evidenced by the opening line, "And so the story goes, they wore the clothes," which suggests the cyclical motion of time. Bowie also seems to be reflecting on his own mortality, singing "Time to face the dilly-o / Time, then, to roly-poly / Old Bill Grundy, bless his soul / Couldn't take it anymore."

Throughout the song, Bowie switches perspectives, weaving in and out of his perception of his brother's illness and his brother's perceived perception of him. The song's closing lines sum up its nebulous nature, "...And till the end, we'll be together / Till the end, we'll be together / Farewell, the Bewlay Brothers."

The lyrics of The Bewlay Brothers resonated with Bowie's audience, and it exists as a testament to their prescience and relevance today. The song speaks to the impact mental illness can have on a person and their family even though it was released over 50 years ago.

The Legacy of The Bewlay Brothers

The Bewlay Brothers remains a highly regarded work in Bowie's discography. The song's obscure lyrics and haunting melody have resonated with audiences across the years, and it is frequently cited as one of Bowie's best songs.

The song is the perfect example of Bowie's musical ventures into the avant-garde. There is no chorus, and the melody is not immediately catchy. However, it draws the listener in with its evocative lyrics and Bowie's plaintive voice, leaving a lasting impression long after the song ends.

The Bewlay Brothers is a reminder that Bowie was not only an icon but a human being who grappled with the impact of mental illness on those within his family. Through his music, he found an outlet to express his emotions and feelings, and the song's legacy reminds us all of the importance of empathy and understanding toward those struggling with mental illness today.

Conclusion

The Bewlay Brothers is a haunting and abstract song that delves into the complexities of mental illness and its impact on people's lives. The song's abstract lyrics, haunting melody, and Bowie's plaintive voice serve as a fitting finale to his landmark album. The Bewlay Brothers remains a highly regarded work in Bowie's discography and serves as a testament to the prescience and relevance of its themes today.

The song's legacy reminds us that mental illness affects everyone, even icons like Bowie, and that understanding and empathy are crucial in supporting those struggling with it. When listening to The Bewlay Brothers, we're not only listening to a song, but we're also listening to the story of Bowie's family, their struggles, and the impact of mental illness.

• Release Date: December 17, 1971
• Artist: David Bowie