[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"

[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