Paul Simon’s “He Was My Brother” is a heartbreaking and politically charged folk song that captures the pain of loss and the struggle for justice in the civil rights era. Written in the early 1960s, it is a powerful tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for freedom, particularly the three young men—Michael Schwerner, James Chaney, and Andrew Goodman—who were murdered by the Ku Klux Klan in 1964 for their civil rights activism.
With its simple yet haunting melody and deeply personal lyrics, the song transcends personal grief to become a universal anthem of resistance and remembrance. In this post, we will explore the historical context, lyrical meaning, and lasting legacy of this early Paul Simon composition.
To fully appreciate “He Was My Brother,” one must consider the early career of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. Before they were known as Simon & Garfunkel, the duo performed under the name Tom & Jerry. It was during these formative years that the seeds of their future musical direction were sown. Released in 1964 on their debut album “Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.,” “He Was My Brother” speaks to the evolution of Simon & Garfunkel’s songwriting and their willingness to engage with weighty and controversial topics.
Historical Context: The Civil Rights Struggle and the Murder of Goodman, Schwerner, and Chaney
Simon wrote “He Was My Brother” in the early 1960s, during a time of immense social and political upheaval in the United States. The song gained deeper significance in 1964 when three civil rights workers—Michael Schwerner, James Chaney, and Andrew Goodman—were brutally murdered in Mississippi for their efforts to register Black voters.
These young men were part of Freedom Summer, an initiative to challenge segregation and expand Black voting rights. Their disappearance led to a massive federal investigation, ultimately exposing the Ku Klux Klan’s deep ties to local law enforcement. Their deaths became a symbol of the violent opposition to racial progress in America.
Although Simon had written the song before their murders, the lyrics eerily mirrored their fate, making it an unofficial elegy for Goodman and his fellow activists.
Lyrics and Meaning of He Was My Brother by Paul Simon
Paul Simon’s “He Was My Brother” is a heartbreaking and politically charged folk song that captures the pain of loss and the struggle for justice in the civil rights era. Written in the early 1960s, it is a powerful tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for freedom, particularly the three young men—Michael Schwerner, James Chaney, and Andrew Goodman—who were murdered by the Ku Klux Klan in 1964 for their civil rights activism.
With its simple yet haunting melody and deeply personal lyrics, the song transcends personal grief to become a universal anthem of resistance and remembrance. In this post, we will explore the historical context, lyrical meaning, and lasting legacy of this early Paul Simon composition.
The Meaning of “He Was My Brother” Lyrics
A Personal Loss and a Political Tragedy
The lyrics of “He Was My Brother” blend intimate sorrow with historical weight, narrating the story of a young man who dies fighting against injustice. The opening lines establish a personal connection:
He was my brother
Five years older than I
He was my brother
Twenty-three years old the day he died
The singer’s brotherly bond with the fallen activist adds an emotional depth, making the tragedy feel immediate and personal. While the song doesn’t explicitly name Andrew Goodman, who was Simon’s classmate at Queens College, the age matches his at the time of his murder. The lyrics humanize the activists, reminding listeners that they were not just political figures but young men with families and dreams.
The Freedom Riders and Violent Resistance
Freedom rider
They cursed my brother to his face
Go home, outsider
This town’s gonna be your buryin’ place
These lines reference the Freedom Riders, a group of civil rights activists—many of them students—who rode segregated buses in the Deep South to challenge racist Jim Crow laws. They often faced extreme violence from white supremacists. The phrase “Go home, outsider” reflects the deep hostility these activists encountered, especially from those who viewed civil rights as an intrusion into their way of life.
The line “This town’s gonna be your buryin’ place” foreshadows the tragic fate of many activists, including the three murdered men. It underscores the brutality of the resistance against racial equality, turning the song into both a lament and a call to action.
Singing in Defiance, Killed for Justice
He was singing on his knees
An angry mob trailed along
They shot my brother dead
Because he hated what was wrong
The imagery of “singing on his knees” evokes the peaceful protests of the era, where activists often used music as a form of resistance. Folk and gospel songs were central to the movement, giving protesters strength in the face of violence. The phrase suggests both prayer and nonviolent protest, reinforcing the injustice of his murder.
The stark conclusion—“They shot my brother dead because he hated what was wrong”—delivers a powerful indictment of those who opposed racial equality. It strips away any justifications for the violence and lays bare its true cause: the attempt to silence those who dared to stand up for justice.
A Sacrifice for Freedom
He was my brother
Tears can’t bring him back to me
He, he was my brother
And he died so his brothers could be free
The final verse brings the song full circle, returning to the personal grief of the narrator. The phrase “tears can’t bring him back” acknowledges the irreversible loss, yet the closing line—“he died so his brothers could be free”—elevates the individual tragedy to a larger cause. His death was not in vain; it was a sacrifice for the future.
This sentiment resonates deeply with the civil rights movement, where many activists risked (and lost) their lives for the greater good. By framing the fallen as heroes, Simon’s lyrics remind us that change often comes at great cost.
Paul Simon’s Early Foray into Protest Music
Before Paul Simon became known for poetic, introspective songwriting with Simon & Garfunkel, he experimented with folk protest music in the tradition of Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger.
“He Was My Brother” was one of his earliest socially conscious songs, first recorded in 1963 with the duo “Tico and the Triumphs” before being re-recorded for the Simon & Garfunkel album Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M. (1964).
While Simon later distanced himself from overt protest songs, this track remains a rare and raw example of his youthful activism, reflecting the influence of the Greenwich Village folk scene he was immersed in at the time.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
Despite not being one of Simon & Garfunkel’s biggest hits, “He Was My Brother” holds immense historical and emotional significance. It remains:
- A moving tribute to civil rights martyrs, particularly Goodman, Schwerner, and Chaney
- An example of early 1960s folk protest music, aligning Simon with the era’s social movements
- A reminder of the price of justice, urging listeners never to forget the sacrifices made for freedom
As civil rights struggles continue today, the song retains its power and relevance, reminding us that the fight for equality is ongoing.