Lyrics:

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.

He told his secrets to no other,
But unto 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.'

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.

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.

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.'

'O sister, you do offend me,
Because you examine me.
We've left him where we've been a-hunting.
No more of him we could not see.'

As she lay dreaming on her pillow,
She thought she saw her heart's delight;
By her bed side as she lay weeping,
He was dressed in his bloody coat.

'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.'

As she rose early the next morning,
With a heavy sigh and a bitter groan,
The only love that she admired,
Lay in the ditch where he was thrown.

Three days and nights she did sit by him,
And her poor heart was filled with woe,
Till cruel hunger crept upon her,
And her home she was obliged to go.