The Brown Girl
View chords used in this chart
Intro
Em D/F# G C
Em D/F# G C
Em D/F# G C
Verse
N.C. Em D Em
I'm as brown as brown can be
D
My eyes are black as sloe
G D C G
I'm as brick as a night-time nightingale
D Em C
As wild as the forest doe
Verse
Em D Em
My love was high and proud
D
A fortune by his side
G D C G D
But a fairer maiden than ever I'll be
Em C D Em D/F#
He took to be his bride....
Verse
G
He sent me a letter of love
D
He sent it from the town
C G D
He wrote to tell me that his love was lost
Em C
Because I was so brown
Verse
G
I sent back his letter of love
D
In anger I wrote down
C G D
Your love is wasted on such as me
Em C
Because I am so brown
[Refrão] G C
I'll dance upon your grave for twelve months and a day
G C
I'll do as much for you as any maiden may
G B
I'll make you rue the very day that you were born
B
I'm a bonny brown girl
[Refrão] G C
I'll dance upon your grave for twelve months and a day
G C
I'll do as much for you as any maiden may
G B
I'll make you rue the very day that you were born
B
I'm a bonny brown girl
Verse
N.C. Em D Em
I heard not another word more
D
Until six months passed by
G D C G
A doctor said he had a broken heart
D Em C
Without me he would die
Verse
G
I went to his bedside
D
I walked and never ran
C G D
I laughed so loud and then louder still
Em C
All at this lovesick man
[Refrão] G C
I'll dance upon your grave for twelve months and a day
G C
I'll do as much for you as any maiden may
G B
I'll make you rue the very day that you were born
B
I'm a bonny brown girl
G C
I'll dance upon your grave for twelve months and a day
G C
I'll do as much for you as any maiden may
G B
I'll make you rue the very day that you were born
B
I'm a bonny brown girl
Instrumental
Em D Em D G D C G D Em C
G D C G D Em C
Verse
N.C. Em D Em
I prithee forget, said he
D
I prithee forget and forgive
G D C G
Oh, grant to me just a little space
D Em C
That I may be well and live
Verse
G
I'll dance upon your grave
D
For twelve months and a day
C G D
You'll die for betraying a bonny brown girl
Em C
All on one summer's day
[Refrão] G C
I'll dance upon your grave for twelve months and a day
G C
I'll do as much for you as any maiden may
G B
I'll make you rue the very day that you were born
B
I'm a bonny brown girl
G C
I'll dance upon your grave for twelve months and a day
G C
I'll do as much for you as any maiden may
G B
I'll make you rue the very day that you were born
B
I'm a bonny brown girl
How to play The Brown Girl
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is Em. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.