Maid Of The Sweet Brown Knowe

Come all you lads and lassies and listen to me a while
I'll sing for you a verse or two which will cause you all to smile
It's all about a young man and I'm going to tell you now
How he lately came a courtin' of the maid of the sweet brown know

Said he, "My pretty fair maiden, will you come along with me?
We'll both go off together and married we will be
We'll join our hands in wedlock bands, I'm speaking to you now
And I'll do my best endeavor for the maid of the sweet brown know"

This fair and fickle young thing, she knew not what to say
Her eyes did shine like silver bright and merrily did play
She said, "Young man, your love's subdue for I'm not ready now
And I'll spend another season at the foot of the sweet brown know"

Said he, "My pretty fair maiden, how can you say so?
Look down on yonder valley where my crops do gently grow
Look down on yonder valley where my horses and my plough
Are at their daily labor for the maid of the sweet brown know"

"If they're at their daily labor, kind sir, it's not for me
I've heard of your behavior, I have indeed," said she
"There is an inn where you call in, I heard the people say
Where you rap and call and pay for
All and go home at the break of day"

"If I rap and call and pay for all, the money is all me own
I'll never spend your fortune 'cause I hear that you've got none
You thought you had me poor heart broken speaking with me now
But I'll leave you where I found you
At the foot of the sweet brown know"