Two Brethren

Come all jolly ploughmen and help me to sing

I will sing in the praise of you all

If a man he don't labor how can he get bread

I will sing and make merry withal

It was of two young brethren two young brethren born

It was of two young brethren born

One he was a shepherd and a tender of sheep

The other a planter of corn

We will rile it we will toil it through mud and through clay

We will plough it up deeper and low

Then after comes the seedsman his corn for to sow

And the harrows to rake it in rows

There is April there is May there is June and july

What a pleasure it is for to see the corn grow

In August we will reap it we will cut sheathe and bind it

And go down with our scythes for to mow

And after we have reaped it of every sheaf

And gathered up every ear

With a drop of good beer boys and our hearts full of cheer

We will beg them another good year

Our barns they are full our fields they are cleared

Good health to our master and friends

We will make no more to do but we will plough and we'll sow

And provide for the very next year