The Brown and the Yellow Ale - Karan Casey

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 his manner did not altar

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 was waiting by the ford for an hour and a quarter

Oh the brown and the yellow ale

When she came to me 'twas without shame I saw her

Oh love of my heart

When 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 well 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 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