My brother Theodore
always said he loved me more
than gold or silver.
Our bond was stronger than any
that i had in my youth.
I'd tell him the truth
of my thoughts about girls
and all the troubles with boys at school.
When I tired of this town,
he promised to show me the world someday.

When he went out to sea
he said he'd come back for me,
"In a years time. You'll be fine.
Listen for me in the breeze."
But that was three years ago
and mother sits out in the snow.
Thinks she sees him sometimes
in the streets after wine.
He didn't come back in time.
She drinks herself to sleep.

Oh Theo, I can't keep this up long.
Oh Theo, what am I doing wrong?
Oh Theo, your memory keeps me strong.

Last time he walked out the door
he was kissing on Eleanor.
She was full with his child
when he said he'd be back in a while.
But she died one winter morning
and I took it as a warning
to never love somebody
if I'd not be there to mourn them when they go.

Oh Theo, she held my hand as we waved.
Oh Theo, as the waves took you away.
Oh Theo, now I'm almost grown.
Oh Theo, and I'm feeling alone.

I'd lay by the water, let the tide pull me in.
In the waves I was swallowed, ready for my life to end.
Death comes in threes but I wanted him to take me too.
Without him I was nothing but a boy without a song.
In the breeze I'd hear him sing, "It's time for you to move along."

So I packed my bags and left
after mother took her last breath.
I wanted to believe
there's something better for me out there.
So I travelled through the trees
and up the hills and through the streams.
I sipped my flask in a tent next to the water
I called Whisky Springs.