Album: Crown of Creation (1968)
Play Video
  • You want to know how it will be
    Me and him OR you and me
    You both stand there your long hair flowing
    Your eyes alive your mind still growing

    Saying to me--"What can we do now that we both love you",
    I love you too-- I don't really see
    Why can't we go on as three
    You are afraid--embarrassed too

    No one has ever said such a thing to you
    Your mother's ghost stands at your shoulder
    Face like ice--a little bit colder
    Saying to you--"you can not do that, it breaks

    All the rules you learned in school"
    I don't really see
    Why can't we go on as three
    We love each other--it's plain to see

    There's just one answer comes to me
    --Sister--lovers--water brothers
    And in time--maybe others
    So you see--what we can do--is to try something new--

    If you're crazy too--
    I don't really see
    Why can't we go on as three. Writer/s: DAVID CROSBY
    Publisher: TuneCore Inc.
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 5

  • George from Vancouver, CanadaIf I was a young adult back then jealousy for Crosby might've killed me. But when I heard this sung by Grace Slick, I'd've been in love for sure -- the way the silver notes just flow through her lips -- pure Heaven! I would've foresworn threeways forever to have Grace. . .

    David didn't write it for himself to sing, but for the Byrds, then when they said no, it made its way into Grace's hands & she sung it better than I can imagine any other doing it. I can picture myself pining for her as she's with the other leg of the triad, just from how she curls the notes as she sings. . .
  • George from Vancouver, Canadamenage a trois is sex among three. Triad is polyamory(love/marriage among three); a beautifully sung song from the heyday of music conceptualizing life. Now this ("Triad" is the accepted common term for three-way marriage.
  • Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScGrace Slick didn't write the song. David Crosby did. Imho David Crosby's version is better.
  • George from Harmsway, MnThe term "water brothers" is from the book Stranger In A Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein, which explored (among other things) non-traditional marriage/family structures. The term originated on Mars, and it indicated the deepest relationship possible. Its literal meaning is "someone with whom you have shared water," a very selfless gesture on the water-parched planet.
  • Em from Incheon, Korea - SouthGrace Slick was married to two guys at the same time when she was singing for Jefferson Airplane. This is probably one of the reasons she could write a song about this kind of thing.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Krishna Das

Krishna DasSongwriter Interviews

The top chant artist in the Western world, Krishna Das talks about how these Hindu mantras compare to Christian worship songs.

Martin Page

Martin PageSongwriter Interviews

With Bernie Taupin, Martin co-wrote the #1 hits "We Built This City" and "These Dreams." After writing the Pretty Woman song for Go West, he had his own hit with "In the House of Stone and Light."

Dr. John

Dr. JohnSongwriter Interviews

The good doctor shares some candid insights on recording with Phil Spector and The Black Keys.

Lace the Music: How LSD Changed Popular Music

Lace the Music: How LSD Changed Popular MusicSong Writing

Starting in Virginia City, Nevada and rippling out to the Haight-Ashbury, LSD reshaped popular music.