Maid of the Sweet Brown Knowe
Come all ye lads and lassies and listen to me awhile
And I’ll sing for you a verse or two, that’ll cause you all to smile
It’s all about a brave young man and I’m going to tell you now
How he lately came a courtin' 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 married we will be.
We'll join our hands in wedlock bands, I'm speaking to 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 silver bright and merrily did play
She said, "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.”
Said he, "My pretty fair maid, how can you answer so?
Look down in yonder valley where my crops do gently grow
Look down in yonder valley where my horses, men and plough
Are at their daily labour for the maid of the sweet brown knowe.”
"If they're at their daily labour, kind sir it's not for me
For I've heard of your behaviour, I have indeed!" said she.
"There is an inn where you call in, I've heard the people say
Where you rap and call and pay for all and go home at the break of day!"
"If I rap and call and pay for all, the money is all my own
And I'll never spend your fortune for I hear that you have none
You thought you had my poor heart broke in speaking with me now
So I’ll leave you where I found you at the foot of the sweet brown knowe.”
Note: A northern song, claimed in Donegal, but maybe a Belfast song too.
A knowe is a small rounded hill.
