The Brown Girl

Child #295
(Steeleye Span)

I'm as brown as brown can be, 
My eyes are black as sloes, 
I was brisk as a night-time nightingale 
As wild as the forest doe.

My love was high and proud, 
A fortune by his side, 
But a fairer maiden than ever I'll be 
He took to be his bride.

    He sent me a letter of love, 
    He sent it from the town, 
    He wrote to tell me his love was gone 
    Because I was so brown.

    I sent back his letter of love, 
    And in anger I wrote down,
    "Your love is wasted on such as me 
    Because I am so brown."

Chorus: 
    I'll dance upon your grave for twelve months and a day. 
    I'll do as much for you as any maiden may. 
    I'll make you rue the very day that you were born. 
    I'm a bonny brown girl.

I heard not another word more 
Until six months passed by 
The doctor said he had a broken heart 
Without me he would die.

I went to his bedside 
I walked and never ran 
I laughed so loudly, then louder still
All at this love-sick man.

Chorus

"I prithee forget," said he, 
"I prithee forget and forgive.
Oh, grant to me just a little space 
That I may be well and live."

I'll dance upon your grave for twelve months and a day 
For twelve months and a day. 
You'll die for betraying a bonny brown girl 
All on one summer's day.

Chorus


On "Rocket Cottage" album by Steeleye Span, 1976