Dubliners - The Maid Of The Sweet Brown Knowe

the maid of sweet brown knowe
traditional irish song
as performed by the dubliners

D G A7 D
come all you lads and lassies and listen to me a while
D Bm G A7
i’ll sing to you a verse or two that’s sure to make you smile
D Bm G A7
concerning a young man i Am going to tell you now
D G A7 D
who has lately come a courting the maid of the sweet brown knowe .

D G A7 D
this young man says “my pretty maid , will you come along with me?
D Bm G A7
we’ll both fly off together and happy we will be
D Bm G A7
we’ll join our hands in wedlock bands as i’m speaking with ya now
D G A7 D
and i’ll do me best endeavour for the maid of the sweet brown knowe . ”

D G A7 D
this fair and fickle young thing she knew not what to say
D Bm G A7
her eyes did shine like diamonds bright and merrily did play
D Bm G A7
she says “young man , your love subdue , for i’m not ready now
D G A7 D
and i’ll spend another season at the foot of the sweet brown knowe . ”

D G A7 D
the young man said “my pretty maid , how can you answer so?
D Bm G A7
see down in yonder valley where my crops do gently grow
D Bm G A7
down in yonder valley i have horses , men and plough
D G A7 D
and they’re at their daily labor for the maid of the sweet brown knowe . ”

D G A7 D
“if they’re at their daily labor , kind sir , ’tis not for me
D Bm G A7
i’ve heard of your behavior , i have indeed” , says she
D Bm G A7
“there is an inn where you call in and i’ve heard the people say
D G A7
that you rap and you call and you pay for all and come home at the break of
D
day . ”

D G A7 D
“if i rap and i call and i pay for all , me money is all me own
D Bm G A7
i’ll never spend your fortune for i hear that you’ve got none
D Bm G A7
you thought you had me poor heart won by meeting with ya now
D G A7 D
but i’ll leave ya where i found ya at the foot of the sweet brown knowe . ”