Our Brother Was Always A Wandering Boy Poem by Ed Kermode

Our brother was always a wandering boy:

V1 -
Our brother was always a wandering boy
And Oh, what trouble he gave us.
For time after time he would wander away
And never from heartache would save us.
(He would) wander a'searching for his pot of gold
(With a) bright shining rainbow around it.
But what he'd have done with it, truth to be told
He'd nary a clue, had he found it.

V2 -
Our brother was always a troublesome lad
One trouble came after another.
He spent every penny that he ever had
And some that belonged to his mother.
He wandered whenever he restlessness felt
For a day or a year or a while-a.
But when he returned, our hearts he would melt
(With a) word and a laugh and a smile-a.

V3-
He wandered, he squandered on gambling and booze
With seldom a thought for the morrow.
In reckless abandon the wrong thing he'd choose,
With never a care for our sorrow.
And still he continues all out of control
Common sense or restraint he won't try it.
There's some who might think he would gamble his soul,
‘Twere anyone willing to buy it.

V4 -
Ah brother, our brother, there's naught we can do.
Your life is your own, you must live it.
The damage you've done to your family and self,
May God in his mercy forgive it.