Bruton Town - The Pentangle

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