She was seven and I was just ten
when she moved next door to the house
we lived in.
She followed me around and got in my hair
wherever I looked, she'd be there.
An awkward little girl with big brown eyes
she'd ask me over for tea and mud pies.
A freckle-faced angel, always in my way
but I couldn't refuse when she'd say
Big brother, take me with you wherever
you're going I want to go, too.
You're so silly, the things that you do
but big brother, how I love you.
As she grew older, I'd take her around
we'd go to the fair when it came to town.
The side-shows and candy would keep us all day
and when we were late, she would say
Mother, there's no need to worry and fuss
my big brother can take care of us.
He's like one of our own family big brother
takes care of me.
So, the years flew by, then one night in the spring
all of a sudden she was eighteen.
No longer the little girl I'd known all my life and I
wanted to make her my wife.
But a few days later, her heart all aglow in order that
I'd be the first one to know.
She brought him over and in her sweet way she told me of
their wedding day.
Big brother, I'd been so long but now big brother will
have to be strong.
So, I'll turn and hide these tears in my eyes I can't let
her see big brother cry.