Bruton Town
(Traditional)
Performer(s): The Pentangle
and various other artists



In Bruton town there lived a farmer
Who had two sons and one daughter dear
By day and night they were contriving
To fill their parents' heart with fear

He told his secrets to no other
But unto her brother this he said
'I think our servant courts our sister
I think they has a great mind to wed
I'll put an end to all their courtship
I'll send him silent to his grave'

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

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

When they returned home from hunting
She asked for her servant-man
"I ask because I see you whisper
So brothers tell me if you can"

"O sister, you do offend me
Because you so examine me
We've lost him where we've been a-hunting
No more of him we could not see"

As she lay dreaming on her pillow
She thought she saw her heart's delight
By her bed side as she lay weeping
He was dressed all in his bloody coat

"Don't weep for me, my dearest jewel
Don't weep for me nor care nor pine
For your two brothers killed me so cruel
In such a place you may me find"

As she rose early the very next morning
With heavy sigh and bitter groan
The only love that she admired
She found in the ditch where he was thrown

Three days and nights she did sit by him
And her poor heart was filled with woe
Till cruel hunger crept upon her
And home she was obliged to go