Standard (EADGBE)

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

I'll sing to you a verse or two that's sure to make you smile

Concerning a young man I am going to tell you now

 Who has lately come a courting 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 ya now

 And I'll do me best endeavour 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 subdue, 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 plough

 And they're at their daily labor for the maid of the Sweet Brown Knowe."

"If they're at their daily labor, kind sir, 'tis not for me

I've heard of your behavior, I have indeed", says she

"There is an inn where you call in and I've heard the people say

 That you rap and you call and you pay for all and come home at the break of

 day."

"If I rap and I call and I pay for all, me money is all me own

I'll never spend your fortune for I hear that you've got none

You thought you had me poor heart won by meeting with ya now

 But I'll leave ya where I found ya at the foot of the Sweet Brown Knowe."