Maid Of The Sweet Brown Knowe

Come, all you lads and lassies, and listen to me a

While

I'll sing to you a verse or two that will surely make

You smile

Concerning a young man I'm going to tell you now

Who has lately came a-courtin' the maid of the sweet

Brown knowe



This young man says, "My pretty maid, will you come

Along with me?

We'll both fly off together, and happy we will be

We'll join our hands in wedlock bands as I'm speaking

With 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 diamonds bright and merrily did

Play

She says, "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



The young man said: "My pretty maid, how can you answer



So?

See down in yonder valley where my crops do gently grow

Down in yonder valley I have horses, men and plow

And they're at the daily labor for the maid of the

Sweet brown knowe"



"If they're at their daily labor, kind sir, 't is not

For me

I've heard of your behavior, 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

Got none

You thought you had my poor heart won, by meeting with

Me now

But I'll leave you where I found you: At the foot of

The sweet brown knowe"