Song Description

Young boy with widowed mother is asked to take on more than he can handle.

Lyrics

Brave Little Billy Brewster
By Winston Montgomery



Verse 1:
Brave little Billy Brewster, no one knew how brave he was
As he walked down to O'Reilly's for a half-pint of gin
His mother was a widow who rented out some rooms
She said, "Billy, don't forget to count the change."
"Please, Sir, Mr. O'Reilly, the money isn't right,"
Said Billy, as he stared at the silver in his hand
"Just seeing if you were paying attention," the old man sneered.
"Maybe your mother should come down and get it herself."

Verse 2:
His mother had a suitor
He was wounded in the war
He had a plastic arm
And a metal cone over one eye
He came for Sunday dinner
And Billy helped him cut his pot roast
He peeked under the cone, there was an empty hole

Bridge:
Where's your father, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
How could he die and go away?
A boy without a father is defenseless in this world.

Verse 3:
Brave little Billy Brewster, no one knew how brave he was
As he knocked on Mrs. Byrne's door to collect the rent
"Billy, I'm a little short, I hope your mother won't mind.
I'll have it all for her by the end of the week."
Mrs. Brewster said, "She's lying, the welfare was just here.
Go back upstairs and don't let her fool you again"
Mrs. Byrnes was tearful as she handed Billy some crumpled bills. "Your mother can tell my kids what they're gonna eat.

Verse 4:
After school one of the boarders,
A landscaper by trade,
Called Billy into his room to see a magazine
He looked at the naked bodies, the man asked him,
"How do you feel?" He touched Billy's leg and Billy pulled away.

Bridge:
Where's your father, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
How could he die and go away?
A boy without a father is defenseless in this world.

Verse 5:
Grown up Billy Brewster, no one knew how brave he was
As he walked down to O'Reilly's for a quart of bourbon
O'Reilly's son said, "Billy, I'm sorry your mother's gone."
"She was so strong," Billy said, I'll never make it without her."

Outro:
Brave little Billy Brewster, he'll never knew how brave he was.

Brave little Billy Brewster, he'll never knew how brave he was.