There’s something sacred about watching sibling love unfold before your eyes. When my first grandson was born, my heart expanded in a way I couldn’t quite put into words. And when his little brother arrived three years later, that joy multiplied. I had grown up with three sisters and later raised two daughters—I knew well the depth of the sibling bond. But seeing it from a grandmother’s eyes was something else entirely.
Where the Inspiration Came From
From the very beginning, the connection between these two boys was undeniable. As the little one began to grow and develop his own personality, he became fascinated with his older brother’s world. Sometimes this curiosity was met with delight, other times with frustration (as any older sibling knows!). But what moved me most was how the older one responded—with patience, kindness, and the quiet wisdom of a child who instinctively knows he’s being looked up to.
He didn’t insist on his name being spoken properly. Instead, he offered a simpler identity:
“Do you want Brother to help you?”
“Let Brother do that for you.”
“Watch Brother!”
“Do you want Brother to read you a book?”
Soon, “Brother” became more than a word. It became a name—a role—embraced by both of them. The younger one followed close behind, mimicking his big brother’s every move, hanging on every word, chasing every adventure. And through it all, what shone brightest was admiration.
A Moment That Sparked a Melody
One sunny afternoon, I was lucky enough to witness a moment I’ll never forget. The older boy, already a confident rider, was zipping around my driveway on his pedal bike—no training wheels needed. The younger one wobbled close behind on his little balance bike, legs pumping hard to keep up.
They stopped at the end of the driveway, both breathless from laughter and speed. The big one looked at his little shadow and grinned, “Hey, wanna see how fast Brother can go?”
Without a second thought: “Yes!”
And just like that, he was off like a rocket. The little one scrambled after him, calling, “Slow down! Wait for me!”
It was in that very moment the melody found me. The lyrics poured in as I watched them—joy, frustration, love, and longing all wrapped up in a chase down the driveway. That chase became the heartbeat of my song, “Brother.”
Lyrics to “Brother”
Verse
Brother, won’t you please slow down, I can’t keep up.
I know sometimes that you get mad, when I get into your stuff.
Three years can be quite a gap, when you’re 5 and I am 2
But Brother, you should know—I want to be like you!
Chorus
I’ll always be your brother, will you always be my friend?
Can we ride bikes, play in the dirt, slay dragons for pretend?
Brothers have a special bond that no one can tear apart—
It’s not a spoken word, it’s love, from heart to heart.
Verse
Brother, please read me a book, will you teach me how to catch?
I’ll learn things from you, that I can’t from Mom and Dad.
Patience will be something, that you’ll need a time or two—
But Brother, you should know—I want to be like you!
Chorus
I’ll always be your brother, will you always be my friend?
Can we ride bikes, play in the dirt, slay dragons for pretend?
Brothers have a special bond that no one can tear apart—
It’s not a spoken word, it’s love, from heart to heart.
Bridge
Time will pass and we’ll grow up—little brother, I’ll still be.
And who knows, maybe one day—you’ll wanna be like me!
Chorus
I’ll always be your brother, will you always be my friend?
Can we ride bikes, play in the dirt, slay dragons for pretend?
Brothers have a special bond that no one can tear apart—
It’s not a spoken word, it’s love, from heart to heart.
Outro
Brother, won’t you please slow down, I can’t keep up.
I know sometimes that you get mad, when I get into your stuff!
The Magic of Being Called Brother
There’s a certain magic in being called “Brother.”
And in this case, that magic turned into a melody.
Thank you for taking the time to read the story behind my song. “Brother” is one of those pieces that came straight from the heart—and I’m so grateful it found its way to yours. Whether you’re a sibling, a parent, a grandparent, or simply someone who cherishes connection, I hope this song reminds you of someone you love.
With music and gratitude,
—Lynda
Want to hear “Brother”? Listen to “Brother” on Spotify.
Read more about Lynda’s musical journey on the About Lynda page.