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 am going to tell you now
Who has lately came 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 you now
And I'll do my 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 labour for the maid of the sweet brown knowe"

"If they're at their daily labour, 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 me own
I'll never spend your fortune, for I hear that you got none
You thought you had me poor heart won by meeting with you now
But I'll leave you where I found you at the foot of the sweet brown knowe"