I'm as brown as brown can be
My eyes are black as sloe
I'm as brick 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 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
A 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 loud and then louder still
All at this love-sick man

Chorus

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

Chorus

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