‘Brothers in Arms’: A Song That Wrote Itself
by John OndrasikI wrote “Brothers in Arms” two hours after seeing Jake Rademacher’s “Brothers at War.” Gary Sinise had set up a screening for a few folks in town and I popped down not knowing what I was in for.
Much has been written about the merits of this film at Big Hollywood and I can only echo the sentiments. As someone who has spent time with our troops overseas, “Brothers at War,” is an honest window into the reality of our soldiers and their families. A view to often obscured and agendized by our culture.
I didn’t know Jake at the time and had no thought of writing anything that would appear in the movie. I was inspired by what I saw and the song wrote itself.
The final master, now the end title, is the piano/vocal I cut in my living room that evening, accompanied by a string arrangement we added after the fact.
I hope you to get see the movie. I’m glad I did.
Time
Doesn’t mean a thing
Baking in the Sun
When all you have are memories
Life
Is never what it seems
Till you see it for yourself
Nobody else can know
I don’t know how we got here
I don’t know what’s ahead
But wherever we are going
Brother
Brothers
We’ll be Brothers in Arms
What’s that picture on the wall
You were barely old enough to crawl
I had your back
Who are these men we have become
Are we still little boys
Are they who we are fighting for
I don’t know how we got here
I don’t know what’s ahead
But wherever we are going to
Brother
Brothers
We’ll be Brothers in Arms…
Time doesn’t mean a thing
Baking in the sun
When all you got are memories
Life is never what it seems
See it for yourself
Nobody else can know
I don’t know how we got here
I don’t know what’s ahead
But whatever comes we’ll always be
Brothers
Brothers
Brothers in Arms…
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25 Comments
Beautiful just beautiful.
I noticed the song in the trailer for the film — thanks for making it available! Thanks also for showing your support for the troops and their families.
John, you are a voice in the wilderness when it comes to the music scene. I loved hearing an interview with you recently on NPR (!), and your staunch support for the troops is both noble and appreciated. Also love your hockey-themed band name – "Five for Fighting"
Keep up the great work!
Kudos and blessings upon you, sir!
You make it all so clear.
Thanks to all that you do for our military- and Five for Fighting is awesome as well! Keep up your efforts, the troops really appreciate it!!
Great song, Mr. Ondrasik.
Because I'm a small and petty man, I can only feel resentment upon learning someone could craft something so beautiful in two hours.
John, you do great work.
Very moving song, as it really gets to the core of things. I'll concur with what everyone else has said about your talent and integrity.
I am looking forward to seeing the film very much as well.
Superman (It's not easy) is one of the greatest songs of all time. It's great to see you applying your craft to support our troops. Thanks.
Thanks John for sharing these beautiful words. I can't wait to see the movie.
Yeah I kinda felt the same way…
Well, we're taller than Matt Damon–nobody can take that away.
John, glad to see you here. Great words for the people that make the supreme sacrifice at the expense of the left. You've penned a couple of my favorite tunes, which I enjoy playing bass to. I think "dying" & "easy tonight" are my favorites – you sir, are a songsmith. Thanks for making your views vocal – the moonbats will never understand, and I'm sure you've experienced the same ostracization & rancor that other bloggers on this site have. Thank you.
[...] http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jondrasik/2009/03/20/a-song-that-wrote-itself-ondrasik/ [...]
My three-year old grandson is taller than Matt Damon. Tougher, too.
John Ondrasik is a major talent and a fine poet. I wish him continued and ever-increasing success.
"Gary Sinise had set up a screening for a few folks in town…"
Hey Breitbart, next time, can you get some of us into that screening?
WHAT IS GOING ON WITH ALL THESE DELETED COMMENTS AND RABBIT-HOLE MODERATIONS? I've read what most of these posters have said in the past, so without seeing their deleted comments, I can only assume that there is no logical reason that their current posts should be deleted. Nearly half my posts today went "into moderation," never to reappear. THIS SITE NEEDS SOME MAJOR WORK! This is a good way to lose your most ardent fans.
Beautiful song for an evocative documentary. Well Done John. Well Done! Thank you for your continued support of the men and women of the US Military, who serve with honor and dignity.
[...] clipped from bighollywood.breitbart.com [...]
Lawhawke,other than ScottMC, who dsid nothing wrong and other than to refer to the deleted comments, the others were deleted because they were off-topic and mean-spirited.
Also, we have a tips and feedback prompt on the sidebar. Please use that in the future when you have these concerns. I also show no comments of yours sitting in moderation. If any are still missing please let me know through the feedback process or email me direct at jjmnolte@hotmail.com
Lawhawke,other than ScottMC, who said nothing wrong and other than to refer to the deleted comments, the others were deleted because they were off-topic and mean-spirited.
Also, we have a tips and feedback prompt on the sidebar. Please use that in the future when you have these concerns. I also show no comments of yours sitting in moderation. If any are still missing please let me know through the feedback process or email me direct at jjmnolte@hotmail.com
Thanks for the tip, John. This had been going on all day, and three or four of us regulars had been commenting on it to each other throughout the day. All of my drops had occurred in other places on the site. I actually didn't have anything moderated or deleted on this page, but when I saw those others, I thought it was more of the same. I'll check the other comments and get back to you.
As I said, many of us are loyal fans of Big Hollywood and the regular authors, and we hate watching our comments disappear for no apparent reason. Keep up the good work!
Bless you, John, for all you do for our troops. The song is beautiful… I'm listening on iTunes right now. Sure hope the film comes to southern Arizona. I live about 30 miles from Fort Huachuca, and have done a few Welcome Homes there with the PGR. Sadly, a few funerals also. God love them all, and their families, especially their families.
I spent a several months in Sierra Vista myself a few years back. Beautiful country there, and some of the nicest people in the whole wide world, and I do mean that literally.
Bless you and kudos for your work for the troops and their families, that is always appreciated by soldiers far from home or much less happily, returning home not as they left it.
You, sir, are an artist.
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