In bruton town there lived a noble man

He had two sons and a daughter fair

By night and day they were contriving

For to fill their sister's heart with care



One night one night our restless young girl

One brother rose up from his bed

He heard the servant court their sister

Oh he heard they had a mind to wed



Oh when he rose the very next morning

Went searching for the servant-man

And when he found him this young man he murdered

Oh left him lying in the briars around



Oh she went to bed a-crying and lamenting

And thinking of her own true love

And as she slept she dreamt that she saw him

A-lying in the countryside all covered with gore and blood



Oh brothersbrothers why do you whisper

And what's become of this servant man? 

Oh we lost him when we were a-contending

We lost him were he won't ever be found



Oh she early rose the very next morning

And searched the countryside around

And there she saw her own dear jewel

A-lying in the briars where he'd been found



Three days and nights she'd lie by him

She thought her heart it would break with woe

When a cruel hunger came upon her

And in despair to her home she did go



Oh sistersister why do you whisper

And won't you tell us where you've been

Stand offstand off you bloody butchers

My love and I you have all slain