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"