Oh, come, all you lads and lassies, and listen to me a while And I'll sing for you a verse or two that will cause you all to smile It's all about a fair young man I'm going to tell you now How he lately came acourtin' of the maid of the sweet brown knowe
Said he, "My pretty fair maid, will you come along with me? We'll both go off together, and it's 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 knowe"
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 subdued, for I'm not ready now And I'll spend another season at the foot of the sweet brown knowe
Said he, "My pretty fair maid, how can you answer so? Look down on yonder valley where my verdant crops do grow Look down on yonder valley where horses, men and plow Are at their daily labor for the maid of the sweet brown knowe"
"If they're at their daily labor, kind sir, it is not for me For I've heard of your behavior, for I have indeed," said she "There is an inn where you call in, I've heard the people say And you rap and you call and you pay for all and go home at the break of day
"If I rap and I call and I pay for all, the money it is my own And I'll never spend your fortune, for I hear that you have none You thought you had my poor heart broke, talking with me now But I'll leave you where I found you: At the foot of the sweet brown knowe"