[Verse 1]

In Bruton town there lived a farmer

Who had two sons and a daughter dear

By day and night they were contriving

To fill their parents' hearts with fear

[Verse 2]

He told his secrets to no other

But to her brother this he said

"I think our servant courts our sister

I think they have a mind to wed

I'll put an end to all their courtship

I'll send him silent to his grave"

[Verse 3]

They asked him to go a-hunting

Without any fear or strife

And these two bold and wicked villains

They took away this young man's life

[Verse 4]

And in the ditch there was no water

Where only bush and briars grew

They could not hide the blood of slaughter

So in the ditch his body they threw

[Verse 5]

When they returned home from hunting

She asked for her young servant-man

"I ask because I see you whisper

So brothers, tell me if you can"

[Verse 6]

"Oh, sister, you do offend me

Because you examine me

We've left him where he'd been a-hunting

No more of him we could not see"

[Verse 7]

As she lay dreaming on her pillow

She thought she saw her heart's delight

By her bedside as she lay weeping

He was dressed in his bloody coat

[Verse 8]

"Don't weep for me, my dearest jewel

Don't weep for me nor care nor pine

For your two brothers killed me cruelly

In such a place you may me find"

[Guitar Solo]

[Verse 9]

As she rose early the next morning

With a heavy sigh and bitter groan

The only love that she admired

Lay in the ditch where he was throw'd

[Verse 10]

Three days and nights she did sit by him

And her poor heart was filled with woe

'Til cruel hunger crept upon her

And home she was obliged to go