Song Analysis 3

Robert Southworth

Poetry of Song
Ms. Malone
May 8, 2009
Song Analysis 3
“Bartender”
The rocking music group called Dave Matthews Band has continuously released chart topping tracks that have them now famous worldwide. Founded at a small bar in Virginia, lead singer Dave Matthews took off with the idea of recorded some songs he wrote with his friends. Little did he know, those songs would lead them to numerous Grammy awards and much more. One of their songs not as well knew, “Bartender”, as powerful lyrics that demonstrate regret. Dave Matthew’s “Bartender” contains regret and poetic devices in the lyrics.
“Bartender” by Dave Matthews Band is a very emotional song that evolves an older man thoughts on dying. The narrator is sitting at a bar, depressed, and talking to anyone who will listen. The bartender engages the man in a conversation in which the man begins talking about his views on dying and his final wishes. As the narrator continues his talk, many religious references become apparent. The mentioning of God, the devil, and possibly heaven and hell all appear in the lyrics to “Bartender.” The narrator blames the devil for provided the “grapes” for the alcohol he consumes, which he believes will kill him. Suddenly, the elderly man drops to his knees and prays to God to protect him. An interesting lyrical aspect occurs as the song progresses. It seems the death of the man gets closer and closer as the music becomes faster. The narrator begins to pray more often and the tone of the narrator becomes more desperate. “Bartender” is a very complex song that involves many interesting parts.
Regret appears numerous times throughout Dave Matthew’s Bands “Bartender.” The elderly man begins to regret his relationships with his siblings throughout the song. This is expressed through the lyric “Oh brother of mine, please don’t forget me if I go.” The narrator displays some evidence that he and his brother were not that close. The sister also appears in the lyrics, in which the narrator asks her to “not regret me if I die.” The narrator may have done something to hurt his sister in order for him to feel this way.
Regret is displayed often in “Bartender.”
Some poetic devices are also found within the lyrics of “Bartender.” An example of alliteration occurs in the lyrics “sweet sister of mine.” The words “sweet” and “sister” both share the common sound of the letter “s”. An example of personification occurs later in the song. The lyrics “The wine that’s drinking me” is an example of personification because wine does not inhabit the human action of drinking. Another poetic device used in “Bartender” is anadiplosis. The lyrics “When I was young, I didn’t think about it
Now I just can’t get it off my mind” are an example of repetition. The lyrics continue the idea of death as a dream throughout the song. Poetic devices help to enhance lyrics and the song’s deeper meaning. Overall, Dave Matthews Band did a great job composing the lyrics to “Bartender.”
Dave Matthews Band has continuously produced songs that fully relate to the listener. Their music fully appreciates and communicates with their followers of the bands. The song “Bartender” fully demonstrates the theme of regret and denial. The poetic devices that are used by Dave Matthews help enhance the song and its meaning. The narrator of the song is obviously thinking that his time to depart this world is soon and he wants to say his final wishes. Dave Matthews Band once again proves their lyrical genius in the great rock song of “Bartender.”


Bartender


And if I go, before I’m old
Oh brother of mine, please don’t forget me if I go
And if I die, before my time
Oh sweet sister of mine, do not regret me if I die

Bartender, please fill my glass for me
With the wine you gave jesus
That set him free after three days down

Bartender, please fill my glass deep for me
With the wine you gave jesus
That set him free after three days down

On bended knees, I pray, bartender please
On bended knees, God please

Oh, and if this gold, should steal my soul away
Oh mother of mine, please redirect me if this gold...

Bartender, please fill one up for me
Of the kind you gave jesus
That set him free after three days down

On bended knees, I pray, bartender please
On bended knees, bartender please

[the newer version, from summer 2000]

If I go
Before I’m old
Oh, brother of mine
Please don’t forget me if I go

Bartender, please
Fill my glass for me
With the wine you gave jesus that set him free
After three days in the ground

Oh, and if I die
Before my time
Oh, sweet sister of mine
Please don’t regret me if I die

Bartender, please
Fill my glass for me
With the wine you gave jesus that set him free
After three days in the ground

Bartender, please
Fill my glass for me
With the wine you gave jesus that set him free
After three days in the ground

I’m on bended knees, I pray
Bartender, please

When I was young, I didn’t think about it
Now I just can’t get it off my mind

I’m on bended knees
Father, please

If all this gold
Should steal my soul away
Oh, dear mother of mine
Please redirect me if this gold...

Bartender, you see
The wine that’s drinking me
Came from the vine that strung judas from the devil’s tree
It’s roots deep, deep in the ground

Bartender, you see
The wine that’s drinking me
Came from the vine that strung judas from the devil’s tree
It’s roots deep, deep in the ground
In the ground...

I’m on bended knees
Oh, bartender, please

I’m on bended knees
Father, please

When I was young, I didn’t dream about it
Now I think about it all the time

I’m on bended knees
Oh, bartender, please
Bartender, please