As I was going down the road one fine morning
Oh the brown and the yellow ale
I met with a young man without any warning
Oh love of my heart

He asked me if the woman by my side was my daughter
Oh the brown and the yellow ale
When I said she was my wife, well, his manner did not alter
Oh love of my heart

He asked me if I'd lend her for an hour and a day
Oh the brown and the yellow ale
I said, "If she thinks it fair, you may take her away
Oh love of my heart

She said, "You take the high road, and I'll take off with him
Oh the brown and the yellow ale
And we'll meet again by the ford in the river"
Oh love of my heart

I waited by the ford for an hour and a quarter
Oh the brown and the yellow ale
And when she came to me, 'twas without shame I saw her
Oh love of my heart

She told me her story, I lay down and I died
Oh the brown and the yellow ale
She sent two men out for timber, oh she never even cried
Oh love of my heart

A board of alder and a board of holly
Oh the brown and the yellow ale
And two greater yards of a shroud all about me
Oh love of my heart

Now if my own little mother, she had never been a woman
Oh the brown and the yellow ale
I would sing you many's another song about the women
Oh love of my heart