Bruton Town

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' heart with fear.

Then said one brother to no other,
But unto his brother this he said:
"I think our servant courts our sister,
I think they have a mind to wed.

If he our servant courts our sister,
That's made from such a shame I'll say.
I'll put an end to all their courtship
And I'll send him silent to his grave."

A day of hunting was prepared
In Thornywoods where the briars grow,
And there they did that young man murder
And in a brook his body they threw.

"Oh welcome home, my dear young brother,
Our serving man is he behind?"
"We left him where we've been a-hunting
We left him where no man can find."

She went to bed crying and lamenting,
Lamenting for her heart's delight.
She slept, she dreamed she saw him by her
All bloody red in gory plight.

His lovely curls were wet with water,
His body all agape with blows.
Oh love for thee I'm served for murder
And I'm lying now where no man knows.

So she rose early the very next morning,
Unto by yonder wood she spared.
And there she found her own dear jewel
In the gory plight so bloody red.

She took her kerchief from her pocket,
She took his head upon her knee.
And then she wiped those dear eyes softly
She wiped those eyes that could not see.

"And since my brothers have been so cruel
To take your tender sweet life away,
One grave shall hold us both together
And along with you in death I'll stay.